"Very well," said Sir William; "you had better go there; I want you to keep out of the sun as much as possible, Evelyn, and I will wait at this corner and catch Mr. Stanley as he comes through the gate."
So we rode down to the big tree, and Miss Schwarz told us how she used to come and play there with her little friends when she was a child, and how beautiful and green she thought it till she had been to Germany, and had seen the trees in Europe.
We found Miss Schwarz a very pleasant companion, and the first few minutes passed away quite happily; but, as time went on, we began to wonder very much why Mr. Stanley did not appear.
After about half an hour Sir William came slowly down the road to meet us.
"I cannot see him," he said; "it is very strange! He must have forgotten it! I think I will go as far as the Latin Convent, and inquire for him."
"I do not think he would forget it," I said.
"Oh, I don't know," said Sir William, "young men often have short memories, and you said he was going to visit various friends this morning. I will just go and inquire for him. Will you ride up and down till I come back? I shall not be long."
It was, however, some time before Sir William reappeared at the Jaffa Gate, and then he was alone; Mr. Stanley was not with him.
"Well, papa," said. Evelyn, "did you find our runaway dragoman?"
Sir William looked grave and perplexed.