She listened a moment to his departing footsteps, shivering as she stood in the darkness, for a norther had sprung up, and the cold was severe.

She only glanced into the pleasant parlor where the table was laid for dinner, and a great fire of cedar logs was throwing red, dancing lights over the white linen and the shining silver and glass.

The chairs were placed around the table; her father's at the head.

It had a forsaken air that was unendurable.
The dinner hour was now long past.

It would be folly to attempt the meal.