"I can," he replied, preparing to lead the way.

Daphne looked at him now. He was different from any person she
had ever seen. Face and head belonged to some antique type of
virile beauty; eyes, hair, and skin seemed all of one golden
brown. He walked as if his very steps were joyous, and his whole
personality seemed to radiate an atmosphere of firm content. The
girl's face was puzzled as she studied him. This look of simple
happiness was not familiar in New York.

They strode on side by side, over the slopes where the girl had
lost her way. Every moment added to her sense of trust.

"I am afraid I startled you," she said, "coming up so
softly."

"No," he answered smiling. "I knew that you were behind the
ilex."

"You couldn't see!"

"I have ways of knowing."

He helped her courteously over the one stone wall they had to
climb, but, though she knew that he was watching her, he made no
attempt to talk. At last they reached the ilex grove above the
villa, and Daphne recognized home.

"I am grateful to you," she said, wondering at this unwonted
sense of being embarrassed. "Perhaps, if you will come some day