It was about half past three in the afternoon--and the Professor had promised to come to the archway opening of the secret passage at five.
So Halcyone left him and took her way down the garden and through the little gate into the park.

It seemed like revisiting some scene in a former life, so deep was the chasm which separated the last time she walked that way from this day.

She passed the oak tree without stopping.
She would not give way to any weakness or the grief which threatened to overwhelm her.

She kept her mind steadily fixed upon the object she had in view, with a power of concentration which only those who live in solitude can ever attain to.
Aphrodite was there still in the bag lying on top of the heavy iron-bound box in the secret passage, and she carried her out into the sunlight and once more took the wrappings from the perfect face.
"You are coming with us, sweet friend," she whispered, and gazed long into the goddess's eyes.

What she saw there gave her comfort.
"Yes, I know," she went on gently.