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 came quite near one, her big pupils seemed to see too much at once and nothing very plainly.

"I never knew you were in Italy," she said.

He realised that it would have been more considerate to have written to prepare her for his visit.

"I came out," he said, "quite suddenly. I had always wanted to see the Lakes. And I wanted to see you, but perhaps I should have written. I—I never thought It would have been better."

"It doesn't matter. It was very good of you to come. I am glad that you should see the villa. Are you staying near?"

"Over at Varenna. How beautiful this is!"

"The lake?"

"I meant your garden." They turned and walked slowly back towards the house. "I hope I didn't take you too much by surprise?"

"Oh no," she said. It almost seemed as though she had expected him. "Yes, it is beautiful, isn't it; I have done nothing to it, it is exactly as we found it."