He sat down; after a while he began to hum. Then he heard footsteps on the path below. It was evening, the sun was down, but the air was still quivering with warmth. An infinite peace lay over forest, mountain and bay. A woman was coming up towards the quarry. It was Victoria. She was carrying a basket. Johannes rose, bowed and was going away. "I didn't want to disturb you," she said. "I came to get some flowers." He made no answer. And he never reflected that she had all kinds of flowers in her garden. "I brought a basket to put the flowers in," she went on. "But perhaps I shan't find any. We want them for a party, for the table. We are going to give a party." "Here are anemones and violets," he said. "Higher up there are generally hops. But perhaps it is too early in the year for them." "You are paler than when I saw you last," she remarked to him. "That is over two years ago. You have been away, I've heard. I have read your books." Still he did not answer. It occurred to him that perhaps he might say: "Well, good evening, Miss Victoria," and go. From the place where he stood it was one step down to the next stone and from there one to her, and then he could withdraw as though quite naturally. She stood right in his path. She had on a yellow dress and a red hat, she was strangely beautiful; her throat was bare. "I am blocking your way," he mumbled and stepped down. He controlled himself so as not to show any emotion. There was now one pace between them. She did not make way for him, but stood still. They looked one another in the face. Suddenly she turned very red, dropped her eyes and stepped aside; an irresolute expression came over her face, but she smiled. He went past her and stopped, her sad smile struck him, his heart flew back to her and he said at random: "Well, of course you have been in town many times since? Since that time?... Now I know where there used to be flowers in old days: on the knoll by your flagstaff." She turned towards him and he saw with surprise that her face had become pale and agitated. "Will you come to us that evening?" she said. "Will you come to our party? We are giving a party," she went on, and her face began to flush again. "Some people are coming from town. It will be before long, but I'll let you know. What is your answer?" He did not answer. It was no party for him, his place was not at the Castle. "You mustn't say No. You won't be bored, I have thought about that and I have a surprise for you." Pause. "You cannot surprise me any more," he answered. She bit her lip; the despairing smile crossed her face again. "What do you want of me?" she said in a toneless voice. "I want nothing of you, Miss Victoria. I sat here on a stone and I offered to move." "Oh well, I was at home with nothing to do, I had been there the whole day, and then I came here. I might have gone up the river another way, then I shouldn't have come just here...."