She was about to rejoin them when she heard footsteps in the passage they had just crossed, and then perceived that the young stranger had merely withdrawn to allow the party to precede him before he returned to the other building through the conservatory, which he was just entering.
In turning quickly to escape, the black lace of her over-skirt caught in the spines of a snaky-looking cactus.

She stopped to disengage herself with feverish haste in vain.

She was about to sacrifice the delicate material, in her impatience, when the young man stepped quietly to her side.
"Allow me.

Perhaps I have more patience, even if I have less time," he said, stooping down.

Their ungloved hands touched.