In the intervals she would elaborate pleasant plans for the future, and would sketch a country home.

She had taken a strange fancy, as it seemed to Prince, to the present location; but it was notable that the future, always thus outlined, was one of quiet and repose.

She believed she would get well soon; in fact, she thought she was now much better than she had been, but it might be long before she should be quite strong again.

She would whisper on in this way until Jack would dash madly down into the barroom, order liquors that he did not drink, light cigars that he did not smoke, talk with men that he did not listen to, and behave generally as our stronger sex is apt to do in periods of delicate trials and perplexity.
The day closed with a clouded sky and a bitter, searching wind.

With the night fell a few wandering flakes of snow.