He put his hands to his ears for a moment, and took them away again to make sure that it was really singing and not his imagination; and when he saw Fleda's face again, there was fresh evidence that his senses had not deceived him.

After all, it was not strange that some one should be singing in that deepest wood beyond.
Now Fleda moved forward towards where he stood, quickening her footsteps as though remembering something she must do.

He stepped out into the path and came to meet her.

She heard his footsteps, saw him, and stood still abruptly.
She did not make a sound, but a hand went to her bosom quickly, as though to quiet her heart or to steady herself.

He had broken suddenly upon her intent thoughts, he had startled her as she had been seldom startled, for all her childhood training had been towards self-possession before surprise and danger.
"This is not your side of the Sagalac," she said with a half-smile, regaining composure.
"That is in dispute," he answered gaily.