Under ordinary circumstances, she surely would not have started at the rustling made by the timid hare in the thicket near by.

There was no reason why she should shiver so when a misstep caused her to scratch her face with the thorny twigs of a wild plum-tree.

But the effort necessary to the undertaking and the agony of the long waiting had exhausted her nervous force, and she had none left for fortitude.

So that when she arrived at Andrew's fence and felt her way along to the gate, and heard the hoarse, thunderous baying of his great St.Bernard dog, she was ready to faint.

But a true instinct makes such a dog gallant.