“At what time do you expect her home?” said Jimmy.

“She ordered tea for half-past four,” replied the woman.

Jimmy could not wait until half-past four!  He looked at his watch and saw there would be more than an hour!

“Can you tell me where she has gone?” he inquired.

“Well, she asked how to find Greenwich Park,” said the woman, and as Jimmy turned away from the door he took out his pocket-book.  Standing on the pavement he handed a five-pound note, together with the fare from Upper Grosvenor Street and a liberal tip to Joseph Botting, who grinned with delight, then Jimmy crossed the road and struck across the heath.  A few children were scampering about, some men were playing at golf on this, the oldest course in England.  Entering the park a few minutes later he followed the broad walk, bordered by Spanish chestnut trees, keeping the while a brisk lookout and hesitating whether to take one of the diverging paths to the right or left.

Surely that must be Bridget!  She was scarcely to be mistaken, with her slender figure, her rather closely fitting skirt, her wide-brimmed hat, her wealth of chestnut-coloured hair!  On Jimmy’s left was the observatory, and two or three people were adjusting their watches by the large clock in the wall.  She stood close to an iron railing, from which sloped down a grassy hill, and beyond lay Greenwich Hospital and the Thames; on its farther bank tall chimneys rising from amidst the docks and houses of the Isle of Dogs.

With her back still towards him, her eyes upon the wonderful prospect, she had no suspicion of Jimmy’s propinquity until he mentioned her name.

“Bridget!” he whispered, close behind her, and on the instant she turned, her face radiant with joy.

“Oh, I wondered whether you would come!” she cried.

“What else could I do?” he said.  “Now I am here, where can we go to talk about the most important subject in the world?”

“Let us,” suggested Bridget, “stroll across the grass!”

They soon reached a secluded spot, and found some chairs near an ancient, ivy-covered tree-trunk, surrounded by an iron fence.  The sun was shining brightly, and a fawn, which had strayed from the small herd of fallow deer, left off browsing to gaze.  As Jimmy and Bridget sat down it turned and slowly ambled away.

“Why did you choose this particular place of all others?” asked Jimmy.

“Once upon a time,” said Bridget, “years and years ago, my aunts used to live at Blackheath.”

“I should rather like to take you to them at Sandbay,” replied Jimmy.  “I have been there.  They are the dearest old ladies, and your proper place seems to be with them—­for the present!”

“Oh, I couldn’t,” she exclaimed.  “Especially after what I imagine you have told them about me.  I really couldn’t go,” she said.

“Then you leave me only one alternative,” said Jimmy.  “I was anxious to do everything decently and in order, but it appears you won’t let me.”