He had turned from the main road into the wood, when a girl on horseback dashed suddenly towards him from the gray perspective. She was riding rapidly, her short skirts flying, her hair blown darkly across her face. A brown-and-white pointer ran at her side.
As she caught sight of Nicholas she half rose in her saddle, giving a loud, clear call.
"Hello, Nick Burr! Hello!"
Nicholas stood aside and waited for her to come up, which she did in a moment, panting from her exercise, her face flushing into a glowing heat.
"I was looking for you," she said, waving a small willow spray in her brown hand. "I went by the farm, but you weren't there. So, you are nineteen to-day!" Her eyes shone as she looked at him. There was a singular brilliance of expression in her face, due partly to the exercise, partly to the restless animation of her features. She was at the unbecoming age when the child is merging into the woman, but her lack of grace was redeemed by her warmth of personality.
Nicholas laid his hand upon the bridle.
"Why, Genia, if I'd known you wanted me I'd have been hanging round somewhere. What is it?"
"Let me look at you."
Nicholas flushed, turning his face away from her.
"God knows, I'm ugly enough," he said.