“Not I; but my people do. I have seen her, of course!”
The tone was rather repellant; by no means cordial.
“Well, we must not lose daylight,” said Ronald. “Will you come? The snow is firm, and it will be fair cross-country walking. You will be less chilled than staying here in inaction; and it is not more than four miles to the town by short cuts which I know.”
She hesitated.
“But my poor woman? To leave her here alone——”
“I will tell my servant to stay and look after her. She will join you in the town, and you will continue your journey. I think you had better come with me. I must go myself, anyhow, for no one else knows the country. I have hunted and ridden over it scores of times, and I know every bush and briar.”
“I will come,” she said, without any further hesitation.
“You are a good walker?” he said a little anxiously.
She laughed a little.
“Oh, yes; I shall not break down and cast my shoes.”