[Sheresumesherwork]。
THEGENTLEMAN。Indeed！Perhaps——mayIaskareyouMissVivieWarren？
THEYOUNGLADY[sharply，assheturnsonherelbowtogetagoodlookathim]Yes。
THEGENTLEMAN[dauntedandconciliatory]I’mafraidIappearintrusive。MynameisPraed。[Vivieatoncethrowsherbooksuponthechair，andgetsoutofthehammock]。Oh，praydon’tletmedisturbyou。
VIVIE[stridingtothegateandopeningitforhim]Comein，MrPraed。[Hecomesin]。Gladtoseeyou。[Sheproffersherhandandtakeshiswitharesoluteandheartygrip。Sheisanattractivespecimenofthesensible，able，highly-educatedyoungmiddle-classEnglishwoman。Age22。Prompt，strong，confident，self-possessed。Plainbusiness-likedress，butnotdowdy。Shewearsachatelaineatherbelt，withafountainpenandapaperknifeamongitspendants]。