But the novelist, smiling barred her way; while Czar, joyfully greeting his master, turned from the man to the girl and back to the man again, as if, by dividing his attention equally between the two, he was bent upon assuring each that the other was a friend of the right sort.
There was no mistaking the facts that the dog was introducing them, and that he was as proud of his new acquaintance as he was pleased to present his older and more intimate companion.
A sunny smile broke over the girl's winsome face, as she caught the meaning of Czar's behavior.

"O," she said, "are you his master ?" Her manner was as natural and unrestrained as a child's--her voice, musically sweet and low, as one unaccustomed to the speech of noisy, crowded cities or shrill chattering crowds.
"I am his most faithful and humble subject," returned the man, whimsically.
She was studying his face openly, while her own countenance--unschooled to hide emotions, untrained to deceive--frankly betrayed each passing thought and mood.

The daintily turned chin, sensitive lips, delicate nostrils, and large, blue eyes,--with that wide, unafraid look of a child that has never been taught to fear,--revealed a spirit fine and rare; while the low, broad forehead, shaded by a wealth of soft brown hair,--that, arranged deftly in some simple fashion, seemed to invite the caress of every wayward breath of air,--gave the added charm of strength and purpose.

The man, seeing these things and knowing--as few men ever know--their value, waited her verdict.
It came with a smile and a pretty fancy, as though she caught the mood of the novelist's reply.

"He has told me so much about you--how kind you are to him, and how he loves you.