“Does Mr. Alvin keep some colonial pets in there?” he asked.
“I am curious to know myself,” replied Philip. “Alvin has constructed a high wall round a clearing inside. This much I know. He is a funny old fellow. He did most of the work at night.”
Thomas Alvin received the guests with a show of genuine friendliness. He had seen them coming, and had walked to the garden gate to meet them.
“Come in,” he said cordially to Philip, and then glanced at Dan.
“This is Mr. Webster, the painter, of whom I think you have heard,” said Philip. “He has brought some lost property of Mrs. Le Breton’s.”
Alvin shook hands with Dan, and led the way to a shady spot in the garden, where Mrs. Le Breton and Eweretta were sitting.
Eweretta’s face turned a shade paler as Philip greeted her. He could not but observe this, but thought it only natural that “Aimée Le Breton” should be shy and nervous.
Dan, who had given the prayer-book to Mrs. Le Breton, fell into conversation with her, so Philip began to talk to Eweretta.
“You must find England a great change from Canada, Miss Le Breton,” he said, as he took the chair Alvin had purposely placed for him near Eweretta.
“Yes,” she replied; “but this place is very beautiful.”