"A lark," was the answer, and Paul turned his eyes to the east. "Look!" he bade her, pointing.
Over the horizon which was like a black bar, set rigid against the heavens, stood the upper edge of the sun, naked and red,--a fiery eye, cocked arrogantly over the sky-line. About it, the very air seemed flooded with color, and the veld reflected it in dull gleams of red.
"And there!" said Paul again, pointing ahead.
They were at the top of a gentle slope, so gradual that it had made no break in the flat prospect of ten minutes ago, and before them, and still so far off that it had the appearance of a delicate and elaborate toy, stood the Sanatorium. In that diamond clearness of air, every detail of it was apparent. Its beautiful serene front, crowned by old Dutch gables mounting in steps to the height of the rooftree, faced them, frank and fair, over the shadowy reticence of the stone-pillared stoep. Beyond and behind it, the roof of the farm, Paul's home, stood in a dim perspective.
"Is that it?" asked Miss Harding. "Where I am going, I mean."
He smiled contentedly. "I was sure you would say that," he replied. "I am so glad you have come here."
Miss Harding regarded him doubtfully, but decided that no rebuke was necessary.
"Yes," she said, soberly. "It ought to give my lungs a chance."
Paul flicked the long lash towards the off horse again, and spoke no more till he brought the cart to a stand-still at the foot of the fan-shaped flight of steps that led up to the door on the stoep. The big house was voiceless and its windows blank; he was preparing to call out when the front door opened, uncovering a vista of a stone corridor within, simple and splendid, and there emerged Mrs. Jakes to the glory of the new day. She crossed the stoep, challenging the dignity of smooth cold stone with her little black figure of ceremony and her amiable, empty face of formal welcome.
"Miss Harding?" she enquired. "I scarcely expected you so early. Isn't it charming weather?"
Paul helped the girl to alight, and watched the two women as they stood, before entering the house, and exchanged perfunctory civilities.
"And now, to see your room," said Mrs. Jakes at last, and let her pass. "Isn't it fortunate that the rain has held off so nicely?"