For a while Scott limped beside her without speaking, but at last as they sighted the end of the pine-wood he gently broke the silence.
"Isabel dear, I think we must turn back very soon." "Oh, why ?" she said.

"Why?
You always say that when--" There came a break in her voice, and she ceased to speak.
Her pace quickened so that he had some difficulty in keeping up with her, but he made no protest.

With the utmost patience he also pressed on.
But it was not long before her strength began to fail.

She stumbled once or twice, and he put a supporting hand under her elbow.

As they neared the edge of the pines it became evident that the road dwindled to a mere mountain-path winding steeply upwards through the snow.