It gave, through an open door and two windows set wide, upon a small, choice garden and one wide-spreading, noble, ancient tree.

Glenfernie entered as one who knew the place, but upon whom, at every coming, it struck with freshness and liking.

The room itself was most simple.
"I like," said Alexander, "our spare, clean, precise Scotch parlors.
But this is to me like a fine, small prioress's room in a convent of learned saints!" His old friend laughed.

"Very little learned, very little saintly, not at all prior! Let us sit in the doorway, smell the lavender, and hear the linnets in the tree." She took the chair he pushed forward.

He sat upon the door-step at her feet.
"Concerning Ian," she said.