He could not see the face of the first, but noticed her light poise and graceful movements as she sprang from stone to stone.
The other followed cautiously and Festing thought she limped, but when the first stopped to wait for her and lifted her head he felt a curious thrill.

It was Helen Dalton.
He sat still, knowing his gray clothes would be hard to distinguish among the stones, and wondering what to do.

He did not want to force his society upon the girl just yet, but would be disappointed if she passed.
She came on, and when her eyes rested on him he got up.

A flush of embarrassment colored her face, but she stopped and greeted him with a smile.
"Mr.Festing! How did you get here ?" "I came over the Pike," said Festing.

"I'm going to the dale." "So are we," said Helen, who presented him to her companion.
Festing remarked that they wore jackets that had a tanned look, unusually short skirts, and thick nailed boots.