Mother will be anxious, and I must--I must tell them." "I will leave you at the gate," he suggested as they walked briskly; "and you will ask your father, will you not, if I may see him to-night after dinner ?" The trees thinned again in front of them, and the path curved inward to the front.

Suddenly a man, walking on the road, diverged into the path and came towards them.

He was swinging a stick and humming.

His head was uncovered, and his light chestnut curls were blown about his forehead by the wind.

Marcella, looking up at the sound of the steps, had a sudden impression of something young and radiant, and Aldous stopped with an exclamation.
The new-comer perceived them, and at sight of Aldous smiled, and approached, holding out his hand.
"Why, Raeburn, I seem to have missed you twenty times a day this last fortnight.