They went out upon the lawn and down the laurel walk.
"Instead of dancing will you give me this half-hour?" he had said to her. "I wish to talk to you about this beautiful treasure you have possessed so long unknown to us all."
"What do you mean?" she asked, as they wandered along the path beneath the whispering laurels.
"Your voice," he said. "Do you know, Miss Meredith, that it is really marvelous? I cannot tell you how it has surprised and delighted me."
And again she said, simply as before:
"I am glad."
He looked at the lovely young face and saw that she was pleased, but not at all surprised.
"Someone has told you this before," he said quickly. "I am not the first to lay a laurel at your feet."
In the soft light he saw the color deepen in her cheeks and the long-fringed lashes droop low.