`` If Pat had not come for me , I would not have known of your danger . What a magnificent fellow he is ! '' `` Is n't he ? '' she agreed proudly . `` And so is Laddie , my other dog . He went with Father today . I love my dogs more than people . '' She looked at him with a little defiance in her eyes . `` I suppose you think that terrible . '' `` I think many dogs are much more lovable -- and worthy of love -- than many people , '' said Alan , laughing . How childlike she was in some ways ! That trace of defiance -- it was so like a child who expected to be scolded for some wrong attitude of mind . And yet there were moments when she looked the tall proud queen . Sometimes , when the path grew narrow , she walked before him , her hand on the dog 's head . Alan liked this , since it left him free to watch admiringly the swinging grace of her step and the white curves of her neck beneath the thick braid of hair , which today was wound about her head . When she dropped back beside him in the wider spaces , he could only have stolen glances at her profile , delicately , strongly cut , virginal in its soft curves , childlike in its purity . Once she looked around and caught his glance ; again she flushed , and something strange and exultant stirred in Alan 's heart . It was as if that maiden blush were the involuntary , unconscious admission of some power he had over her -- a power which her hitherto unfettered spirit had never before felt . The cold indifference he had seen in her face at their first meeting was gone , and something told him it was gone forever . When they came in sight of Four Winds they saw two people walking up the road from the harbour and a few further steps brought them face to face with Captain Anthony Oliver and his old housekeeper .
The Captain 's appearance was a fresh surprise XXXXX Alan .
If beside in like of on since than to with