His mother's fad about having them locked was always religiously kept, and he grumbled now as he sought for a latch-key in his waistcoat-pocket.
He opened the side gate and let himself in; the gate had a spring, and was so constructed that it could shut and lock itself by the same act.
Bertram was preparing to walk quickly up the avenue when he was startled by a sudden morement; a tall slim apparition in gray came slowly out of the darkness, caused by the shadow of the lodge, to meet him.
"Good God!" he said; and he stepped back, and his heart thumped hard against his breast.
"It's me, Loftus--I'm back again--I'm with you again," said a voice which thrilled him.
The girl in gray flung her arms around his neck, and laid her head of red gold on his breast.
"Good God! Nina! Josephine! Where have you come from?
I was thinking of you only tonight.

It's a year since we met.

Where have you sprung from?
Out of the sky, or the earth?
Look at me, witch, look in my face!" He put his hand under her chin, raised her very fair oval face; (the moonlight fell full on it--he could see it well); he looked long and hungrily into her eyes, then kissed her eagerly several times.
"Where have you come from ?" he repeated.

"My God! to think I was walking to meet you in such a calm fashion this evening." "You never were very calm, Loftie, nor was I.Feel my heart--I am almost in a tempest of joy at meeting you again.

I knew you'd be glad.