Having thus decided the matter satisfactorily to herself, she rose and quickly prepared herself for bed; for several days after she took good care not to be left alone with Lancy, and she kept him at a distance by her saucy speeches.

But his manner to her was the same as usual.  The tender look in his eyes, when they met hers, was the only reminder of his words.  The knowledge of his love, too, ceased to annoy her, or it was crowded back by the many incidents that filled her life at this time; but it was there, ready to spring up at the slightest touch.

CHAPTER X.

The first day of April dawned brightly.  The warm rays of the sun seemed doubly welcome after the cold, stormy weather of the previous month, and the streets were filled with people, who were out enjoying the sunshine regardless of the mud that covered their feet at every step.

But Nova Scotians are a courageous people the whole country over, as witness the intrepidity with which they walk to and fro, year after year, through mud that seems in some places almost bottomless; for, strange though it may seem to outsiders, who cannot expect to learn the secrets of the learned road commissioners, the more time and money spent on a road the softer and muddier it seems to become.

It is a fact that can be vouched for by many responsible persons, that once, while a poor man was walking along one of the country roads in early spring, he sank so deep in the mire that, on putting forth his strength to lift his leg, he pulled it apart above the knee, leaving the lower half sticking in the mud!  Fortunately he was carrying a strong cane, and by leaning upon it he managed to keep upright until help arrived, when he was rescued from his perilous position.  After much difficulty, the imbedded limb was extracted from the mud, and safely fastened again in its place—­it was made of wood!

But, leaving facts for fiction, let us step into the Sherwood household, and we will find Mr. Sherwood busy preparing for another trip to Prince Edward Island.

Mr. Plaisted had arrived from New York a few weeks previously, and was to accompany him, though the departure of this gentleman would cause no regrets in the household, for his true nature had been revealed during his stay amongst them.  His bland and courteous manner was not inborn—­it had but a surface character; and if “to know a man you must live in the house with him,” then it took but a short time to become thoroughly acquainted with Mr. Plaisted.  If he had not been so puffed up with conceit, he would have felt the altered atmosphere around him; but he was not sensitive—­not in the least—­and he could stand an unlimited amount of snubbing without being touched.  His familiarity had indeed “bred contempt,” and the hope of his speedy departure alone kept back the threatened storm.  Even Nancy in the kitchen had been heard to say that, “if the scented dandy didn’t kape out ov her kitchen wid his imperdent speeches, she would give him wan blow wid her fist that would spoil his beauty for him,” and threatened to “give warnin’” if the mistress did not keep him to his own quarters.