CHAPTER VIII.

It was quite late when the young people opened their eyes next morning, and the unfamiliar surroundings made Dexie lift her head with a start; but the sparkle that came from the glowing wood fire in the old-fashioned grate spoke of friendly cheer, and she turned a bright face to her companion as she asked after her welfare.

“My head aches a little, and I feel stiff and sore, but I suppose you feel the same,” was the languid reply.

“Not I. I never felt better in my life.  I would like to get up and see what the world looks like around here.”

Just then the door opened, and Mrs. Taylor stepped into the room.

“So my snow-birds are awake at last; and how do they feel this cold morning?” was the cheery question.

“I am quite well, thank you; but Elsie feels rather tired, I fear,” Dexie replied.  “May we get up, please?”

“Well, I’ll not punish you by making you stay in bed,” was the smiling reply, “but I think your sister would be the better of another hour’s rest,” then adding a few sticks to the blazing logs, she left the room.

Dexie was soon dressing before the fire, her lively tongue keeping up a pleasant chattering as she glanced occasionally through the frosty window-panes to the white world outside, and Elsie soon roused from her lethargy and showed some inclination to bestir herself also.

When Mrs. Taylor returned, bearing a dainty breakfast, she found them standing before the fire, their arms around each other’s shoulders, and she thought them very loving sisters, though their looks betrayed no such relationship.

They were indeed a contrast as they stood together before the fire.  Dexie was all aglow, her cheeks dimpled and rosy, her merry brown eyes full of life and her pretty hair falling in rings about her forehead, making her look much younger than she really was; while poor Elsie’s face looked all the paler against the background of dark hair that grew low on her brow, and hung in two long braids down her back.  Her grey eyes looked dull and heavy, and she lacked the sparkle that made Dexie so attractive.

“Come now, and have your breakfast,” and Mrs. Taylor drew the little table nearer the fire.  “I am going to let you enjoy it alone, but when you are ready step into the room across the hall.  Your brother is anxious to see how you look after your adventure.”

Dexie was just going to explain that she was no relation to Elsie, when the conversation of the night before came into her mind, and while she hesitated Mrs. Taylor left the room.  As the door opened they could hear Lancy’s voice as he conversed with the family, and for the first time it brought a flush to Dexie’s face.  She shrank from the thought of meeting him, but this diffidence was owing more to Elsie’s remarks than to any change in her own feelings.

“Come,” said Elsie, at last, “we don’t want to sit here all day.  Let us go and find Lancy.”