y. The ice was in splendid condition. It sparkled in the sun like a sheet of

erformers among them, and there were also several beginners. But all seemed alike inf

ges was shooting down the run, and even as Scott caught sight of it the foremost came to grief, and a dozen people rolled ignominiously in the snow. He smiled invol

made, supremely sure of himself, darted with the swift grace of a swallow through the throng. His absolute confidence and splendid physique made him

d a cracked voice

ank regard of a rosy-faced school

eep disgust. "He seems to have sprouted in the night. I've no u

Scott made reply. "P'raps when you're a star ska

! P'raps! You're a n

ew," sa

e another dark horse. It's too bad, you know; just as Dinah and I are b

f lucky!" said Sc

yes flashed over him intelligen

I mean my legs are not a p

ame suddenly almost deferential, and Scott realized that he was no long

cott, looking across once more to

mean that! Hi, Dinah!" He turned to cover his embarrassment and sent a deafening yell at the sun

ever seen made a sudden appearance at an open window. "Darling Billy, do keep your hair on

g face were bare and a bare arm waved in

ntity," observed Billy to his companion wit

to laugh. "Your

nd is a horrible stuck-up bore of an Anglo-Indian,-thinks himself everybody, and tells the most awful howlers. Rose-that's the daughter-is by way of being very beautiful. There s

so?" sa

nce at least. My word, doesn't he fancy h

for the end of the rink above which they stood. His hands were in his pockets. His bearing was superb. He described a complete circle below them before he brought himself to a stand. Then he lifted his dark arrogant face. He wore a short clipped moustache which by no

" he said, "wh

beat a swift retreat. Scott sm

be out presently. Biddy had to give

in a fierce undertone.

N

t woman. Isabel hasn't a chance to get well with

iet voice which presented a vivid contrast to his brother's stormy utteranc

better. She's nothing but a perpetual nui

ed, and his b

ct? Look here, Scott! This thing has got to

hold of it," put

she has been taking slow poison for seven years. I am certain of it. It's ridiculous! It's mons

e another. A broken thing can't stand alone. But need we discuss it now? As I told you, she is comi

irl in red suddenly glided up and sat down on

me into his eyes. He watched her for a moment

hat for you

ind of you! But I have just managed i

servation on the bank, decided that she certainly was beautiful. Her face was almost faultless. And yet it seemed to him that there was infinitely more

e beautiful Miss de Vigne whose graciousness plainly indicated her willingnes

t his shoulder. "But you might have said th

n't apologize! He doesn't belong to

ed appreciatively. "You'r

. "Now how on earth

re's the same hang about you. I can't tell you what it

e of your sister's acquaintance," o

id Billy. "Come along! There she is now, just crossing th

tumpy to my friends," said Scott, in

sport," he said. "When

Hi, Dinah! What a deuce

d he saw you at the win

Dinah's brown face burned an indignant red;

ested mildly. "That's

y with malicious delight. "You pl

id little pig? How do you do? Isn't it a ripping day? It make

?" asked Scott. "I thought

t got any. It doesn't really matter though. There are l

friendliness, and he knew that she would not c

and a spice-just a spice of devilry as well. The rest of the face would have been quite unremarkable, but the laughter-loving mouth and pointed chin wholly redeeme

. "And I am quite a tyro," he added. "I have been watching the luging on that

it once you started. It's a heavenly sport if the run isn't bum

h the skaters. Billy was seated on the

or you any longer, Dinah

retorted. "I nev

Billy, with all a b

e!" she suddenly exclaimed. "Isn't that just like Rose de Vigne? She's always sure to appropriate the most handsome man wit

h a sideways grin. "You don't suppose he'd look at a sparr

't want him to look at me. I hate men. But it is too bad the way Rose always chooses the b

t unexpectedly. "But why don

he said. "Why that's about as likely as

t Apollo? But the cases are not parallel, I assure you. Besid

? What a good thing you

something rude abou

et. "I made a most horrific blunder, didn'

gly. "You would!" she said.

"I didn't then!" he returned, and

onately, "is not really such a h

us smile. "I had already

scertain if he were in earnest. Then: "That was ve

h mirth. "A looker-on sees a goo

hed understanding