The dear, familiar voice, with an ineffable tenderness in its slow drawl, reached her even through the thrumming beat of her heart.
"Peter—oh, Peter—"
Her voice failed her, and the next moment they were shaking hands conventionally just as though they were two quite ordinary people with whom love had nothing to do.
"I didn't know you were coming to-day," she said, making a fierce effort to regain composure.
"I wired Kitty on the train. Hasn't she had the telegram?"
"Yes, I expect so. Only I've been out all afternoon, so knew nothing about it. And now I've lost my way!"
"Lost your way?"
"Yes. I expected to find a footbridge round the corner."
"It's round the next one. I sent the car on with my kit, and thought I'd walk up from the station. So we're both making for the same bridge. It's only about two minutes' walk from here."
They strolled on side by side, Peter rather silent, and each of them vibrantly conscious of the other's nearness. Suddenly Mallory pulled up and a quick exclamation broke from him as he pointed ahead.