Taking off the dressing gown, Tory slipped on her shoes and overshoes, and then more slowly her coat and furs.
The dog remained patiently waiting so far as any movement of his body, but always with the suggestion of imploring haste in his eyes.
This became more apparent when, dressed for the outdoors, Tory hesitated.
Was the old truism in this case a stern reality? Was discretion not the better part of valor?
Should she follow the dog to the spot where some one may have been overcome by the storm? Once there, what possible aid had she the power to render? Yet to fail to do what she could was less possible. Not only to her principles as a Girl Scout would she be unfaithful, but she had entertained herself during the past night by considering her Patrol as Knights of a Round Table.
“‘All kinds of service with a noble ease, that graced the lowliest act in doing it,’” Tory quoted to herself, as she stepped out of the front door, the dog close beside her.
The air was tingling with the sharp cold, the sky above the branches of the snow-laden trees a steel blue. These were not the important facts. Save for the footprints of the dog, there was no track anywhere of man or beast; the path had completely vanished. To step out into the unpacked snow would mean that she too would be floundering about half-way up to her waist and soon in need of help instead of being able to offer it.
Nevertheless, through the intense stillness of the early winter morning Tory believed she did hear some one approaching.
The Emperor must have received the same impression. He appeared to sympathize and understand her uncertainty once she had stepped outdoors to follow his behest. Now he bounded from her.
Not long after Tory’s eyes filled with tears of surprise and relief, which promptly froze into crystals.
The newcomer, making his way slowly and painstakingly toward the House in the Woods, was her uncle, Mr. Richard Fenton.
“Tory, is it well with you and Miss Frean?” he called out. “I have been worrying about you all night and got up at daylight to come and see.”
He was nearer now and Tory smiled happily upon him.
“I was under the impression I was becoming an old man, Tory dear,” he remarked as he put his arm about her. “Now I am not so sure. At first I thought I never would be able to make the long walk out here. There was no other way at present and I was determined to come. You see, you borrowed my horse and sleigh for your pilgrimage yesterday afternoon.”