Page:An orchard princess (IA orchardprincess00barbiala).pdf/216

 Miles was still a dozen paces distant he broke the spell of the girl's thoughts by a frantic, ecstatic leap against her skirt. She turned, startled, and, with just a glance for Bistre, looked toward Miles. He saw the color flood her cheeks, and, in spite of his own blissful confusion of mind and senses, noted the smile that leaped into her eyes. She stood with outstretched hand, blue-eyed, golden-haired, radiant-cheeked, while he covered swiftly the space between them. His heart and eyes had hungered for her during half a year; he was mazed with the happiness that surged through him; his hand ached for the touch of hers; and so, having reached her, he clasped the gloved fingers in his for just a moment, and,—

"How do you do?" he asked, politely.