inging into the air--hurled back by the sea-wall at
the end of Medina Terrace. When Captain King came along Mr. Tom at
once proposed they should all of them take a stroll as far as the
Terrace; for now the tide was full up and the foam was springing into
the blue sky to a most unusual height. And, indeed, when they arrived
they found a pretty big crowd collected; a good many of whom had
obviously been caught unawares by the shifting and swirling masses of
spray. It was a curious sight. First the great wave came rolling on
with but little beyond an ominous hissing noise; then there was a heavy
shock that made the earth tremble, and at the same moment a roar as of
thunder; then into the clear sky rose a huge wall of gray, illuminated
by the sunlight, and showing clearly and blackly the big stones and
smaller shingle that had been caught and whirled up in the seething
mass. Occasionally a plank of drift timber was similarly whirled
up--some thirty or forty feet; disappearing altogether again as it fell
crashing into the roar of the retreating wave. It was a spectacle,
moreover, that changed every few seconds, as the heavy volumes of the
sea hit the breakwater at different angles. The air was thick with the
salt spray; and hot with the sunlight--even on this March morning.

Then it became time for Mr. Tom and Captain Frank to go and witness a
challenge game of rackets that had been much talked of; and the girls
walked back with them as far as Brunswick Terrace, Madge being with
Frank King.

'Why is it one never sees Mr. Jacomb now?' he asked of his companion.

'I saw him only the other day,' she said evasively.

'But he does not come to the house, does he?'

'N--no,' said Madge.

'Has he left Brighton?'

'Oh no,' answered Madge, and she drew his attention to a brig that was
making up Channel under very scant sail indeed.

'I daresay he has a good deal of work to do,' said Frank King absently.
'When are they going to be married?'

Madge saw that the revelation could be put off no longer.

'Oh, but they are not going to be married. Nan isn't going to be
married at all.'

He stared at her, as if he had scarcely heard her aright; and then he
said slowly--

'Nan isn't going to be married? Why have you never told me before?'

'Oh, it is a private family matter,' said Madge, petulantly. 'It is
not to be talked about. Besides, how could I know it would interest
you?'

He remained perfectly silent and th