But her confusion lasted only a few seconds.

Almost before he had finished his sentence she had pulled herself together.

Her hand was in his, and she spoke in her old fluty voice and little grand manner, with the old slow, faintly whimsical smile on her lips and in her eyes.

It came over McKeith that he had not of late been familiar with this aspect of her, and that she was exhibiting to this man the same strange charm of her girlhood which had been to him, in the full fervour of his devotion, so wonderful and worshipful, but of which--he knew it now--the Bush had to a great extent robbed her.
She laughed as she withdrew her hand from that of the newcomer.

And standing on the steps, her head almost on a level with his, met his eyes with challenging directness.
'Really, Mr Maule, you shouldn't startle a nervous creature in that uncanny way--appearing like the unmentionable Personage or the angel if you prefer it, only with this difference, that we weren't speaking of you.