glanced about her curiously. Somehow, behind every clump of shrubs and
every branching pine tree she felt black eyes staring at her and yet she
was sure she was alone. Again she started for the house, feeling
profoundly relieved that Yoritomo had not waited, if, indeed, it was he
who had left the rose. Suddenly Nancy's heart jumped into her throat and
she felt a cold chill down her spinal column,--and for no reason, except
that standing in front of her was not a man, but a woman. The stranger
was too tall to be a Japanese and she was dressed, moreover, in European
clothes,--a beautifully fitting tailor-made suit and English traveling
hat of stitched cloth. But there was something faintly suggestive of the
Japanese about her face. Perhaps it was the slightly slanting eyes and
the smooth olive skin. Her hair was much lighter than her eyes and quite
fluffy; her features were regular and there was a graceful dignity in the
poise of her head on her shoulders. Nancy concluded after a swift
examination that she was, if peculiar looking, still strangely
fascinating.

"May I ask your pardon for intruding on your beautiful gardens?" began
the woman, speaking with a slightly English accent. "I did not expect
to meet any one on this rainy afternoon."

Nancy wondered how she had got into the garden and where she had come
from. These things the stranger did not explain. However, Nancy answered
politely:

"It isn't my garden, but I am sure Mr. Campbell would be delighted to
have other people enjoy it."

"You are a sweet child," said the woman, deliberately taking Nancy's chin
in her hand and looking down at her, "a sweet, exquisite child."