'I am so sorry I did not know when to expect you, Miss Haddon.'
'I came earlier than I ought to have done.'
'O no; pray do not think that; only I should like to have been at the station to make friends at the beginning.'
'Let us call this the beginning.'
She drew nearer to me, and in a caressing child-like way, lifted up her mouth to be kissed, as she said: 'Welcome to Fairview.'
I am not considered to be demonstrative; but I know I kissed her as heartily as she kissed me, quite understanding that this was not like an ordinary first meeting. Then she gently impelled me towards a low chair, and knelt down beside me.
'If you could only know how very anxious I have been, and how relieved I am.'
'Relieved?' I asked, bending down to get a better view of the sweet face.
'Yes; indeed I am.'
'Then you can in a measure understand my sensations,' I replied, smiling down into her eyes.