"Oh, who are you, please?" she asked, amazed at his sudden appearance. His dress told her nothing, but his face told her things which she was glad to know.
"My name," he said, "is Coronel."
"It is a pretty name."
"Yes, but don't be led away by it. It belongs to nobody very particular. Do you mind if I sit down? I generally sit down here about this time."
"Oh, do you live in the forest?"
"I have lived here for the last week." He gave her a friendly smile, and added, "You're late, aren't you?"
"Late?"
"Yes, I've been expecting you for the last seven days."
"How did you know there was any me at all?" smiled Hyacinth.
With a movement of his hand Coronel indicated the scene in front of him.