The tall young soldier who appeared from behind the clump of shrubs and stood before her with a laughing salute had evidently come hurriedly.

And the hurry and laughter extraordinarily brought back the Donal who had sprung upon her years ago from dramatic ambush.

It was Donal Muir who had come.
"I saw you from a friend's house across the street," he said.

"I followed you." He made no apology and it did not even cross her mind that apology was conventionally necessary.

He sat down beside her and his effect--though it did not express itself physically--was that of one who was breathing quickly.