He had his back towards her and seemed engrossed in his thoughts.

Almost instantly, however, as though subconsciously aware of her approach, he turned.
Nan stood quite still as he came towards her, limping a little.

She felt that if she moved she must surely stumble and fall.

The beating of her heart thundered in her ears and for a moment the river, and the steep sides of the coombe, and the figure of Peter Mallory himself all seemed to grow dim and vague as though seen through a thick mist.
"Nan!" The dear, familiar voice, with an ineffable tenderness in its slow drawl, reached her even through the thrumming beat of her heart.
"Peter--oh, Peter--" Her voice failed her, and the next moment they were shaking hands conventionally just as though they were two quite ordinary people with whom love had nothing to do.
"I didn't know you were coming to-day," she said, making a fierce effort to regain composure.
"I wired Kitty on the train.

Hasn't she had the telegram ?" "Yes, I expect so.