somewhat petulant inquiry, addressed to no one in particular. There was
no reply. Miss Travers was busily twitching the ears of the kitten at
the moment and sparring with upraised finger at the threatening paw.

"Do look out of the window, Nell, and see."

"There is nothing to see, Kate,--nothing but whirling drifts and a big
water-tank all covered with ice. Br-r-r-r! how cold it looks!" she
answered, after vainly flattening her face against the inner pane.

"There must be something the matter, though," persisted Mrs. Rayner. "We
have been here full five minutes, and we are behind time now. At this
rate we'll never get to Warrener to-night. I do wish the porter would
stay here where he belongs."

The young man quietly laid down his book and arose. "I will inquire,
madame," he said, with grave courtesy. "You shall know in a moment."

"How _very_ kind of you!" said the lady. "Indeed I must not trouble you.
I'm sure the porter will be here after a while."

And even as she spoke, and as he was pulling on an overcoat, the train
rumbled off again. Then came an exclamation, this time from the younger:

"Why, Kate! Look! see all these men,--and horses! Why, they are
soldiers,--cavalry! Oh, how I love to see them again! But, oh, how cold
they look!--frozen!"

"Who _can_ they be?" said Mrs. Rayner, all vehement interest now, and
gazing eagerly from the window at the lowered heads of the horses and