A knot of scarlet ribbon at her breast was to distinguish her.

But the spot I had thus chosen for her, and the spot I had chosen for myself had this disadvantage; that while I could see straight to my mark from the peep-hole I have mentioned, I could see nothing to right or left of that one line of vision.

Why I did not realize the hazard involved in this fact I do not know.

Enough that my whole thought was centered on the lookout I was keeping and it was with a shock of surprise I suddenly saw the whole scene blotted from my view by the passing by of some one on my own side of the gallery.

This must have been the Englishman who found his vantage-point from behind the other pedestal.
He went by quickly, and as the opening cleared once more, I beheld the woman for whom I was waiting appear in the spot selected.