from there, rolling away towards the splendid old house, which could
only just be distinguished through the giant trees, not yet in leaf. And
suddenly, hardly twenty yards from them across the gulf, coming from the
gap in Mr. Carlyon's hedge, they saw a tall and very slender
mouse-colored figure, as Halcyone emerged on her homeward way--she had
run down to see Cheiron when her duties with Miss Roberta were over, and
was now going back to lunch.

"Good morning!" called John Derringham, and the four advanced to the
very edge of their side, and Halcyone turned and also bordered hers,
while she bowed serenely.

"Isn't it a day of the gods!" he continued. "And may I from across this
Stygian lake (there was a little water collected in the haw-haw here
from the recent rains) introduce Miss Lutworth to you--and Miss Clinker
and Lord Freynault? Miss Halcyone La Sarthe."

Everyone bowed, and Halcyone smiled her sweet, grave smile.

"We would love to jump over--or you come to us," Cora Lutworth said with
her frank, friendly charm. "Isn't there any way?"

"I am afraid not," responded Halcyone. "You are across in another
world--we live in the shades, this side."

"Remember something about a fellow named Orpheus getting over to fetch
his girl"--"gail" Lord Freynault pronounced it--"since old John will use
Eton cribs in describing the horrid chasm. Can't we sop old Cerberus and
somehow manage to swim, if there is no ferryman about?"