What followed was amazing, mystifying.
With a loud cry that startled me the grey figure had come swiftly towards us, and I then saw that it was a woman.
My companion and she flew into each other’s arms and exchanged wild joyful greetings, while I, catching sight of her face, stood there open-mouthed, breathless in sheer astonishment.
At that moment I doubted whether I were actually sane and in possession of all my senses. I doubted even my own eyes. And had you been there, in my place, I think you also would have been dumbfounded.
“Fancy you—of all persons in this whole world!” Lucie cried, then turning to me after kissing the newcomer with wild enthusiasm, she laughed, adding:—
“This gentleman is not altogether a stranger, I believe?”
The woman turned her flushed countenance to mine, and in the dim twilight our eyes met.
She started back with a loud cry, then, next instant, dashed forward to me, grasping both my hands.
“Ella!” I ejaculated. It was all I could say.
“Godfrey!—you?”