"If you should meet a _bear_, you could kill him with that knife--it's so strong," said the boy.

"If you don't take it I'll go home with you, and it's so late father won't let me come out again to-night." "Well, I'll take it," Madelon said, wearily, and she passed out of the ball-room with the knife in her hand, under her cloak.
When she got out in the cold night air she sped along fast over the creaking snow, still holding the knife clutched fast in her hand.

She began to lilt again as she went, and again Burr and Dorothy danced together before her eyes.

She passed Parson Fair's house, and the best-room windows were lighted.

She thought that Burr was there, and she lilted more loudly the Virginia reel.
After Parson Fair's house was some time left behind, and she had come into the lengthy stretch of road, she saw a shadowy figure ahead.