He knew it was madness -- he had told himself so every hour in which Min 's dark , rebellious face had haunted him -- yet none the less was he under its control . Min led the horse across the yard and left it standing before the kitchen door ; she had not seen the bowed figure at the gate . When she reappeared , he saw her dark eyes and the rose-red lustre of her face gleam out from under the old crimson shawl wrapped about her head . As she caught the horse by the bridle , the kitchen door swung heavily to with a sharp , sudden bang . The horse , a great , powerful , nervous brute , started wildly and then reared in terror . The ice underfoot was glib and treacherous . Min lost her foothold and fell directly under the horse 's hoofs as they came heavily down . The animal , freed from her detaining hand , sprang forward , dragging the laden sleigh over the prostrate woman . It had all passed in a moment . The moveless figure lay where it had fallen , one outstretched hand still grasping the whip . Telford sprang over the gate and rushed up the slope like a madman . He flung himself on his knees beside her . `` Min ! Min ! '' he called wildly . There was no answer . He lifted her in his arms and staggered into the house with his burden , his heart stilling with a horrible fear as he laid her gently down on the old lounge in one corner of the kitchen . The room was a large one and everything was neat and clean . The fire burned brightly , and a few green plants were in blossom by the south window . Beside them sat a child of about seven years who turned a startled face at Telford 's reckless entrance .
The boy had XXXXX 's dark eyes and perfectly chiselled features , refined by suffering into cameo-like delicacy , and the silken hair fell in soft , waving masses about the spiritual little face .
Min Telford corner fire foothold hour left madness sleigh years