Suddenly as she sat there she heard a step on the gravel, and started. This was her sacred ground; no one had a right to come there; but she guessed whose step that was, firm and light and springing like the tread of a deer.
She sprang up, her heart leaping with joy, and through the drooping, swaying palm branches saw the slim figure she expected approaching, and the light falling sideways across the dark and handsome face.
She went forward to meet him, making no effort to conceal the joy and pleasure shining in her eyes.
"How lovely this is! I am so glad you have come! How did you get in?"
"By the gate."
"But I locked it."
Everest laughed. "Locked gates are nothing to me. I jumped over it!"
"How splendid!" she said, gazing at him, her soft azure eyes full of admiration. "That high, spike-topped gate! I wish I had seen you. And how did you get here? How did you find the garden?"
"I walked here from the Delameres'."
"Walked! It's fifteen miles to their house."