kept at a considerable distance. But Nan seemed to be very busy at
this time. Again and again he was tempted to speak to her as she came
out of this or that shop, or when he saw her carrying an armful of toys
into some small back street. But he was afraid. There was so much to
win; so much to lose. He guessed that sooner or later the vagrant
blood in Nan would drive her to seek the solitariness of the high
cliffs over the sea.

It turned out differently, however. One squally and stormy morning he
saw her leave the house, her ulster buttoned up, her hat well down over
her brows. He let her pass the hotel, and slipped out afterwards. By
and by she turned up into the town, and finally entered a stationer's
shop, where there was a public library. No doubt she had merely come
to order some books, he said to himself, downheartedly, and would go
straight back again.

However, on coming out, he noticed her glance up at the driven sky,
where the clouds were breaking here and there. Then she went down East
Street towards the sea. Then she passed the Aquarium by the lower
road. This he could not understand at all, as she generally kept to
the cliffs.

He soon discovered her intention. There was a heavy sea rolling in;
and she had always had a great delight in watching the big waves come
swinging past the head of the Chain Pier. That, indeed, turned out to
be her destination. When he had seen the slight, girlish-looking
figure well away out there, he also went on the Pier, and followed.

It is needless to say that there was not a human being out there at the
end. Tags and rags of flying clouds were sending showers of rain
spinning across; between them great bursts of sunlight flooded the sea;
and the vast green masses of water shone as they broke on the wooden
piles and thundered on below. When he reached the head of the Pier, he
found that Nan, who fancied herself entirely alone, was resting her two
elbows on the bar, and so holding on her hat, as she looked down on the
mighty volumes of water that broke and rushed roaring below.

He touched her on the shoulder; she jumped up with a start, and turned,
growing a little pale as she confronted him. He, also, had an
apprehensive look in his eyes--perhaps it was that that frightened her.

'Nothing has happened to Madge?' she said, quickly.

'No. But come over there to the shelter. I wish to show you a letter
she has written.'

A few steps brought them to