And so it happened, after about an hour's search, that he came upon Cheiron alone, just as he reached Livia's house.
Mr.Carlyon held out his hand.
"Well, John," he said, "and so we meet again." His old pupil shook it heartily, and Cheiron, seeing that joyous light in his eyes, raised his left penthouse with a whimsical smile.
"Got clear of the Octopus, I should imagine," he said laconically.
"Well, better late than never--Halcyone is over on the bench under the cypress, gazing upon the Tarpeian rock; perhaps you may like to go to her--" and he pointed in that direction.
"It is what I have come at post-haste from Venice to do, Master," John Derringham said.

"Mrs.Cricklander was kind enough to release me on Saturday evening--she has other views, it seems!"-- and he laughed with his old boyish gayety.
"Well, I won't keep you," Cheiron answered.

"Bring my little girl back to the hotel when these gates shut.

No doubt you will have enough to talk about till then," and he smiled benignly.
"You will give us your blessing, Master ?" John Derringham asked.

But the Professor growled as he turned to go on.
"She has my blessing always," he said, "and you will have it, too, if you make her happy, but you don't deserve her, you know, John." John Derringham drew himself up and looked straight out in front of him--his face was moved.
"I know I do not," he said, "but I hope you believe me, Cheiron, when I tell you that I mean to devote the rest of my life to attain that object--and at least no man could worship her more." "Get on with your courting then, lad!" said the Professor, pointing with his stick in Halcyone's direction, while his wise eyes smiled.