She turned slowly round and looked at him in cold surprise. Trent
knew at once that he had made a mistake. She was plainly dressed
in white linen and a cool muslin blouse, but there was something
about her, unmistakable even to Trent, which placed her very far
apart indeed from any woman likely to have become his unbidden
guest. He knew at once that she was one of that class with whom
he had never had any association. She was the first lady whom he
had ever addressed, and he could have bitten out his tongues when
he remembered the form of his doing so.

"I beg your pardon, miss," he said confusedly, "my mistake! You
see, your back was turned to me."

She nodded and smiled graciously.

"If you are Mr. Scarlett Trent," she said, "it is I who should
apologise, for I am a flagrant trespasser. You must let me explain."



CHAPTER IX


The girl had moved a step towards him as she spoke, and a gleam of
sunlight which had found its way into the grove flashed for a moment
on the. stray little curls of her brown-gold hair and across her
face. Her lips were parted in a delightful smile; she was very
pretty, and inclined to be apologetic. But Scarlett Trent had seen
nothing save that first glance when the sun had touched her face