Page:Gide - Strait is the Gate.pdf/157

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VII

“Alissa is waiting for you in the garden,” said my uncle, after having embraced me paternally, when one day at the end of April I arrived at Fongueusemare. If at first I was disappointed at not finding her ready to welcome me, the next moment I was grateful that she had spared us both the first commonplace greetings. She was at the bottom of the garden. I made my way to the place at the head of the steps, where, at this time of year, the shrubs that set it closely round were all in flower - lilacs, rowan trees, laburnums and weigelias; in order not to catch sight of her from too far, or so that she should not see me coming, I took the other side of the garden, along the shady path,153

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