gs, she repeated to the widow from time to
time in monosyllabic remarks that the wedding was really impending; that
it was arranged for the summer, and that she had given notice of leaving
the school at the August holidays. Later on she announced more
specifically that her marriage was to take place immediately after her
return home at the beginning of the month aforesaid.

She now corresponded regularly with Mr. Heddegan. Her letters from him
were seen, at least on the outside, and in part within, by Mrs. Wace. Had
she read more of their interiors than the occasional sentences shown her
by Baptista she would have perceived that the scratchy, rusty handwriting
of Miss Trewthen's betrothed conveyed little more matter than details of
their future housekeeping, and his preparations for the same, with
innumerable 'my dears' sprinkled in disconnectedly, to show the depth of
his affection without the inconveniences of syntax.

CHAPTER II

It was the end of July--dry, too dry, even for the season, the delicate
green herbs and vegetables that grew in this favoured end of the kingdom
tasting rather of the watering-pot than of the pure fresh moisture from
the skies. Baptista's boxes were packed, and one Saturday morning she
departed by a waggonette to the station, and thence by train to
Pen-zephyr, from which port she was, as usual, to cross the water
immediately to her home, and become Mr. Heddegan's wife on the Wednesday
of the week following.

She might have returned a week sooner. But though the wedding day had
loomed so near, and the banns were out, she delayed her departure till
this last moment, saying it was not necessary for her to be at home long
beforehand. As Mr. Heddegan was older than herself, she said, she was to
be married in her ordinary summer bonnet and grey silk frock, and there
were no preparations to make that had not been amply made by her parents
and intended husband.

In due time, after a hot and tedious journey, she reached Pen-zephyr. She
here obtained some refreshment, and then went towards the pier, where she
learnt to her surprise that the little steamboat plying between the town
and the islands had left at eleven o'clock; the usual hour of departure
in the afternoon having been forestalled in consequence of the fogs which
had for a few days prevailed towards evening, making twilight navigation
dangerous.

This being Saturday, there was now no other boat till Tuesday, and it
becam