he learned nothing from its expression.

"So you are going away! Well, North, I hope you will have a pleasant
trip,--better let me send you into town?"

And he reached for the bell-rope. North shook his head.

"I'll walk, thank you," he said briefly.

In silence he turned to Elizabeth and held out his hand. For an instant
she rested hers in it, a cold little hand that trembled; their eyes met
in a brief glance of perfect understanding, and then North turned from
her. The general followed him into the hall.

"It's stopped snowing, and you will have clear starlight for your walk
home,--the wind's gone down, too!" he said, as he opened the hall door.

"Don't come any farther, General Herbert!" said North.

But the general followed him into the stone arched vestibule.

"It's a fine night for your walk,--but you're quite sure you don't want
to be driven into town?"

"No, no,--good night." And North held out his hand.

"Good night."

North went down the carriageway, and Herbert reëntered the house.