“Neil went on ‘tasting,’ and that sly Donald sat there with a sober face, but laughing eyes, and coaxed him on.  At last Neil’s head fell forward on his breast, and he was sound asleep.  Donald got up, put on his overcoat and cap, and went to the door.

“‘May your sleep be long and sweet, man,’ he said, laughing softly, ’and as for the waking, ‘twill be betwixt you and me.’

“With that he untied Neil’s horse, climbed into Neil’s sleigh, and tucked Neil’s buffalo robe about him.

“‘Now, Bess, old girl, do your bonniest,’ he said.  ’There’s more than you know hangs on your speed.  If the Campbell wakes too soon Black Dan could show you a pair of clean heels for all your good start.  On, my girl.’

“Brown Bess went over the ice like a deer, and Donald kept thinking of what he should say to Nancy—­and more still of what she would say to him.  Suppose he was mistaken.  Suppose she said ‘no!’

“’Neil would have the laugh on me then.  Sure he’s sleeping well.  And the snow is coming soon.  There’ll be a bonny swirl on the bay ere long.  I hope no harm will come to the lad if he starts to cross.  When he wakes he’ll be in such a fine Highland temper that he’ll never stop to think of danger.  Well, Bess, old girl, here we are.  Now, Donald Fraser, pluck up heart and play the man.  Never flinch because a slip of a lass looks scornful at you out of the bonniest dark-blue eyes on earth.’

“But in spite of his bold words Donald’s heart was thumping as he drove into the Sherman yard.  Nancy was there milking a cow by the stable door, but she stood up when she saw Donald coming.  Oh, she was very beautiful!  Her hair was like a skein of golden silk, and her eyes were as blue as the gulf water when the sun breaks out after a storm.  Donald felt more nervous than ever.  But he knew he must make the most of his chance.  He might not see Nancy alone again before Neil came.  He caught her hand and stammered out,

“’Nan, lass, I love you.  You may think ’tis a hasty wooing, but that’s a story I can tell you later maybe.  I know well I’m not worthy of you, but if true love could make a man worthy there’d be none before me.  Will you have me, Nan?’

“Nancy didn’t say she would have him.  She just looked it, and Donald kissed her right there in the snow.

“The next morning the storm was over.  Donald knew Neil must be soon on his track.  He did not want to make the Sherman house the scene of a quarrel, so he resolved to get away before the Campbell came.  He persuaded Nancy to go with him to visit some friends in another settlement.  As he brought Neil’s sleigh up to the door he saw a black speck far out on the bay and laughed.

“‘Black Dan goes well, but he’ll not be quick enough,’ he said.

“Half an hour later Neil Campbell rushed into the Sherman kitchen and oh, how angry he was!  There was nobody there but Betty Sherman, and Betty was not afraid of him.  She was never afraid of anybody.  She was very handsome, with hair as brown as October nuts and black eyes and crimson cheeks; and she had always been in love with Neil Campbell herself.