THE PORTRAIT As I came out on to the great landing which had a recess supported by pillars, I saw that a baize door on the other side, corresponding to the one by which I had come was slowly opening.

To my excited fancy it opened stealthily, and I stood staring at it, not knowing what might issue from it.
Imagine, then, my joy and surprise when I saw for the second time Anthony Cardew's face.

At first I could hardly believe it; and he, on his part, looked equally amazed, and very pleasurably so, I must say.
"Why, where have you dropped from, Miss Bawn ?" he asked.

"A minute ago I could have sworn I was alone in the house, unless, perhaps, the good old creature who looks after it had come back from her marketing." "And where have you dropped from ?" I asked, suddenly light-hearted.

"I thought you were on your way to the South Seas." "Why so I should have been," he answered, "only for sudden happenings.
And how do you come here?
To be sure, it is your own house, and I am a trespasser.