h mine, but I stepped back, and almost tumbled over into
the fountain. Perhaps I would, if he hadn't caught me round the waist;
but instead of letting go when he had steadied me on my feet, he drew
me closer to him. I gave a twist and a little angry cry, and just then,
to my joy, someone from outside pushed the orange tree back in its
groove so as to leave an opening again.

I darted out, and caught a glimpse of the tall Puritan man who was
apparently engaged in pulling the tree forward so as to close the gap
and shut Potter in.

It was so quick, that I hardly had time to understand whether it was
being done for my sake or not, but I didn't stop to think; I simply
ran. I met harlequins, and queens, kings and columbines hunting in
couples (the green alleys were only broad enough for two), but I pushed
by them and went flitting down path after path, though voices called
after me, and people pretended to shiver with cold as Frost passed.

Then, suddenly, "I think this is a way out," said a voice I knew,
speaking just behind me. It was the voice of my brown man. I could have
recognised it among thousands. But when I looked, it was the tall
figure of the grey Puritan who had helped me to get away from Potter
Parker.

I didn't answer a word; not even to say "Thank you"; or "Is this really
you, Mr. Brett?" I just went in the direction he said, and in another
minute I was out under the Italian pergola, draped with roses and
wistaria, that runs for a long way overlooking the sea. Then I glanced
over my shoulder, and he was there, but hesitating as if he hadn't
decided whether to come with me, or go back.

When I saw this, I did stop and mumble in a low voice, "It _is_ you,
isn't it, Mr. Brett?"

"Yes," he answered. "I hope you forgive me?"

"Oh, I thank you," said I. "I--wanted to come away. But how did you
know that--and how did you know me?"

"I couldn't help seeing that you were being pretty well forced to do
something you didn't want to do," he replied, coming a few steps
nearer; and there seemed to be nobody under the pergola except just us
two. "I don't suppose I had any right to be angry at seeing that
happen, but I was. So I did what I did on the spur of the moment. As
for recognising you--I--well, you're rather tall, you know, and have a
way of holding your head that--that isn't easily forgotten."

"I'm sorry I'm so badly disguised," I said, laughing. "But I'm glad
_you_ knew me. I'm so glad, too, that I'm ou