CHAPTER XIII.
LOVE-MAKING.
A dismal March afternoon, an earth hard as iron, with black frost, a wild wind troubling the gaunt trees, and howling mournfully around the old house.

A desolate, wintry afternoon, threatening storm; but despite its ominous aspect, the young people at Danton Hall had gone off for a long sleigh-ride.

Reginald and Kate had the little shell-shaped cutter, Rose, Eeny, Mr.Howard, Junior, Miss Howard, and Doctor Frank, in the big three-seated family sleigh.

Amid the jingling of silvery bells, peals of girlish laughter, and a chorus of good-byes to the Captain and Grace, standing on the stone stoop, they had departed.
Captain Danton and his housekeeper spent the bleak March afternoon very comfortably together.

The fire burned brightly, the parlour was like waxwork in its perfect order; Grace, with her sewing, sat by her favourite window.