The storm chafed about the
roof and chimneys in a dreadful way. I never knew a wilder night."
"You saw the general at the party?" said one, addressing Mr. Craig.
"Yes, a few times. But there was a crowd in all the rooms, and the
same people were not often thrown together."
"Nothing unusual about him? Hadn't been drinking too much?"
"Not when I observed him. But--" Mr. Craig hesitated a moment, and
then went on: "But there's one thing has a strange look. They went
in a carriage, I know, but walked home in all that dreadful storm."
"Walked home!" Several pairs of eyes and hands were upraised.
"Yes; they came to the door, white with snow, just as we got home."
"How strange! What could it have meant?"
"It meant," said one, "that their carriage disappointed
them--nothing else, of course."
"That will hardly explain it. Such disappointments rarely, if ever,
occur," was replied to this.
"Did you say anything to them, Mr. Craig?"
"My wife did, but received only a gruff response from the general.
Mrs. Abercrombie made no reply, but, went hastily after her husband.
There was something unusual in the manner of both."
While this conversation was going on General Abercrombie and his
wife stood in the hall, she trying, but in vain, to persuade him not
to go out. He said but little, answering her kindly, but with a
marked decision of manner. Mrs. Abercrombie went up slowly to their
room after he left her, walking as one who carried a heavy load.
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