"Of what kind, sir?" she answered with a saucy smile.
"The privilege of taking you out for a short drive. The sleighing is superb."
Nell was in a most gracious mood, and then here was the wished for chance to escape the dreaded meeting with Dr. Clendenin. She consented at once and hastily donned cloak and hood.
"I'm afraid you will find it very cold," objected Mrs. Nash, more anxious to detain the young girl for Kenneth's coming, and to prevent any acceptance of attentions from his rival, than she would have liked to acknowledge.
"Oh no, madame," hastily interposed Lyttleton, "I have a foot-stove and plenty of robes, and there is no wind; indeed I assure you it is quite delightful out to-day, the air is so pure and bracing."
"And I am warmly dressed, and have a thick veil," added Nell.
Lyttleton tucked the robes snugly about her, saying, "I trust you will not suffer from cold, Miss Lamar."
"Oh, no!" she answered with a gay laugh.
"Now which way shall we travel?" he asked, gathering up the reins.
With the thought that Dr. Clendenin would be coming from the town, and the desire to avoid a meeting, Nell named the opposite direction.