She slept as she had not done for many a night before, and awoke next morning refreshed and strengthened for the new trials of the new day.

She dreaded the meeting with her discarded suitor, with a nervous dread quite indescribable; but the meeting must be, and she braced herself for the encounter with a short, fervent prayer, and went down stairs.
There was no one in the dining-room, but the table was laid.

She walked to the window, and stood looking out at the black, bare trees, writhing and groaning in the morning wind, and the yellow sunshine glittering on the frozen snow.

While she stood, a quick, heavy tread crossed the hall--a tread she knew well.

Her heart throbbed; her breath came quick.
A moment later, and Sir Ronald entered, the open note she had sent him in his hand.
"What is the meaning of this folly, Kate ?" he demanded, angrily, striding towards her.