One evening she met him as she was coming down the lane, and they walked side by side.

“I think it's so lovely here,” she cried.

“Do you?” he said.

“I'm glad you like it.”

There was a curious confidence in his voice.

“Oh, I love it. What more does one want than to live in this beautiful place, and make things grow in your garden. It is like the Garden of Eden.”

“Is it?” he said, with a little laugh. “Yes — well, it's not so bad — — ” he was hesitating. The pale gleam was strong in his eyes, he was looking at her steadily, watching her, as an animal might.