"The earth lies warm under it." The lights of Parracombe, precipitous and unexpected, were like flecks in the sky, wiped out by a sudden driving storm of sleet.

A little while later they cantered up the avenue to Woolhanger and Jane slipped from her horse with a little sigh of relief.
"You'd better stay and have some tea, Mr.Segerson," she invited.
"John will take your horse and give him a rubdown." She changed her habit and, forgetting her guest, indulged in the luxury of a hot bath.

She descended some time later to find him sitting in front of the tea tray in the hall.

A more than usually gracious smile soon drove the frown from his forehead.
"I really am frightfully sorry," she apologised, as she handed him his tea.

"I had no idea I was so wet.