He was sitting by the fountain now.

What more likely than that he was thinking over that first strange scene that had been enacted between them there?
Dear fellow! how he would start and redden with pleasure when he saw her appear, in flesh and blood, in the midst of his reverie! Cornelia blushed; but some of the loose petals of the overblown rose in her bosom became detached, and floated earthward.
All at once her heart began to beat so as to incommode her: she was uncertain whether she was pale or red.

It seemed to require all her courage to get over the last few steps of garden-path that brought her into view.

What was it?
A premonition?
Now she saw him, as he sat with his legs crossed, his head resting on his hand, turned away from her, staring moodily before him.
He did not look up until Cornelia stood almost beside him; then, become aware of her presence, he leaped suddenly to his feet, and towered before her, one hand grasping the fantastically-curved limb which ornamented the back of the rustic seat.
In the space that intervened while Cornelia, startled at his abrupt movement, remained motionless in front of him, the piece of branch which his hand held parted with a sharp crack.

It broke the pause, and Cornelia laughed.
"You seem to be recovering your strength pretty well, if you can break the limb of a tree short off just by laying your hand upon it! How do you do?
Aren't you glad to see me ?" and she held out her hand with a frankness not all real, for she felt a secret misgiving, and an undefined fear.
But the strain of Bressant's suspense was removed.