But he kept on, wondering vexedly at the little throb of eagerness in his heart as Claire Standish's home at last bulked dimly into view around the last curve of the byroad.
Bobby Burns trotted happily beside him, reveling in the man's occasional rambling words, as is the flattering way collies have when they are talked to, familiarly, by the human they love.

And so the two neared the house, their padding footsteps noiseless in the soft white dust of the road.
There were lights in several windows.

One strong ray was cast full across the side lawn, penetrating almost as far as the beginning of the forest at the rear.

Toward this vivid beam, Gavin bent his steps, fumbling in his pocket as he went, for something with which to tie Bobby to the nearest tree.
As he moved forward and left the road for the closecropped grass of the lawn, he saw a dim white shadow advancing obliquely in his direction.

And, for an instant, his heartbeats quickened, ever so slightly.