Travelling from Belleplain in a confounded stage, I stopped half frozen at an old farm-house six miles off.

Next morning, pursuing my journey on foot, I met with a little mishap." He paused provokingly to fill at his leisure a glass of sherry; and Doctor Danton watching Rose under his eyelashes, saw the colour coming and going in her traitor face.
"I slipped on a sheet of ice," continued Mr.Stanford.

"I am not used to your horrible Canadian roads, remember, and strained my ankle badly.

I had to be conveyed back to the farm-house on a sled--medical attendance procured, and for three weeks I have been a prisoner there.

I could have sent you word, no doubt, and put you to no end of trouble bringing me here, but I did not like that; I did not care to turn Danton Hall into a hospital, and go limping through life; so I made the best of a bad bargain and stayed where I was." There was a general murmur of sympathy from all but Sir Ronald and Rose.
Sir Ronald sat like a grim statue in granite; and Rose, still fluttering and tremulous, did not dare to lift her eyes.
"You must have found it very lonely," said Doctor Danton.
"No.