He begged Nellie to sit out in the air as long as she felt inclined, as he should be reading to himself; so she sat on, thinking them rather a long time gone. When at last she heard their voices returning, she was surprised to find that they passed the house, and continued their way along the walk by the sea.
But the gate swung to, and Dolly's little feet ran lightly up the path, then through the house and into the garden, and paused by her side.
"They have taken papa a little walk, Nellie, and I've come to tell you so, and to say that there's a friend come down with papa from London, and I was to tell you so."
"A friend? Who, dear?"
"He's coming in; he doesn't want to go for a walk. He's just outside, Nellie."
She hastened away, having discharged Walter's message most faithfully; and only waiting to lead their visitor through the room to the French door, she hurried back after the others, and left him to make his own introduction.
He advanced over the soft little lawn to where Nellie was standing, waiting and wondering.
As he came nearer in the half-light, she failed to recognize the stranger; but something in the sound of his step made her heart give a strange leap.
He came closer and held out his hand.
"Do you not remember me, Miss Arundel?"