It was snowing fast, and the ground was already white with the fallen flakes.

Mr.Hamilton put up his umbrella, and stood waiting for me under the shrubs, but a sudden impulse made me linger.
Gladys was still standing in the porch; her fair hair shone like a halo in the soft lamplight, her eyes were fixed on the falling snow.

I had said good-bye to her so hastily: I ran back, and kissed her again.
'I wish you were not going, Gladys; I shall miss you so.' 'It is nice to hear that,' she returned gently.

'I shall remember those words, Ursula.

Write to me often; your letters will be my only comfort.
There, Giles is looking impatient; do not keep him waiting, dear.' And she drew back, and a moment afterwards I heard the door shut behind us.
Mr.Hamilton did not speak as I joined him, and I thought that our walk would be a silent one, until he said presently, in rather a peculiar tone,-- 'Well, Miss Garston, I suppose I ought to congratulate you for succeeding where I have failed.' Of course I knew what he meant, but I pretended to misunderstand him, and he went on,-- 'You have won my sister's heart.