"But there is something I want to say to you; Miss Martin, Miss Frances is going to drive back on the seat with me." He was frightened, and anxious to make his peace; there was something he had just settled with Elizabeth, and she was frightened too.
"Of course," she assented quickly; "Mr. Montague, I am going back with you." She gave Frances no time for remonstrance, as she claimed Montague's help at once and sprang into the drag. The others were already seated. Frances must go as Lawson demanded, perforce. She was angered at the scene she had come upon and angered at being so managed.
The young man beside her found her simply and icily civil, and that the words he must say to her were most difficult to frame; but well down the mountain-side, the rest talking gayly, he felt he must seize his chance. With his free hand he felt for hers under the buffalo robe, and found it. Frances did not withdraw it, nor was there a thrill of life or love in its touch.
He was manly enough to be quite open as to what he had to say. "I am going to Richmond to-morrow." The fingers quivered slightly; from the lips came no sound.
"Do you know how near Christmas it is?" he questioned.
Montague, behind him, caught the tone and clenched his fists, even while he was answering Elizabeth Martin's raillery.
"I am going to search the shops."
There was still no answer.
"I am going to see what the jewellers have—"
He left her to find out for herself what she had already divined. When she drove with her guests to the station next morning she found him waiting.