eaning on the crenellated parapet
look over all the coast stretching far in front and sweeping away to the
left and right. The prospect so enchanted her, and the fierce sweep of
the wind so suited her exalted mood, that she remained there all the
morning. The whole coast was a mass of leaping foam and flying spray,
and far away to the horizon white-topped waves rolled endlessly. That
day she did not even ride out, but contented herself with watching the
sea and the storm from the tower. After lunch she went to her tower
again; and again after tea. The storm was now furious. She made up her
mind that after dinner she would ride down and see its happenings close
at hand.

When she had finished dinner she went to her room to dress for her ride.
The rush and roar of the storm were in her ears, and she was in wild
tumultuous spirits. All her youth seemed to sweep back on her; or
perhaps it was that the sickness of the last two years was swept away.
Somewhere deep down in Stephen's heart, below her intention or even her
consciousness, was a desire to be her old self if only for an hour. And
to this end externals were of help. Without weighing the matter in her
mind, and acting entirely on impulse, she told her maid to get the red
habit she had not worn for years. When she was dressed she sent round to
have out her white Arab; while it was getting ready she went once more to
the tower to see the storm-effect in the darkening twilight. As she
looked, her heart for an instant stood still. Half-way to the horizon a
great ship, ablaze in the bows, was driving through the waves with all
her speed. She was heading towards the little port, beyond which the
shallows sent up a moving wall of white spray.

Stephen tore down the turret stair, and gave hurried directions to have
beds prepared in a number of rooms, fires everywhere, and plenty of
provisions. She also ordered that carriages should be sent at once to
the fishing port with clothing and restoratives. There would, she felt,
be need for such help before a time to be measured by minutes should have
passed; and as some of her servants were as yet strange to her ways she
did not leave anything to chance. One carriage was to go for the doctor
who lived at Lannoy, the village over the hill, whence nothing could be
seen of what was happening. She knew that others within sight or hailing
would be already on their way. Work was afoot, and had she time, or
thought of i