Ever since her childhood it had been Phyllis's pleasure to clamber up this fence and sit on the top--a feat not so difficult as it may seem, the walls in this district being built of rubble, without mortar, so that there were plenty of crevices for small toes.
She was sitting up here one day, listlessly surveying the pasture without, when her attention was arrested by a solitary figure walking along the path.

It was one of the renowned German Hussars, and he moved onward with his eyes on the ground, and with the manner of one who wished to escape company.

His head would probably have been bent like his eyes but for his stiff neck-gear.

On nearer view she perceived that his face was marked with deep sadness.

Without observing her, he advanced by the footpath till it brought him almost immediately under the wall.
Phyllis was much surprised to see a fine, tall soldier in such a mood as this.