t's
departure the same day. It was in obedience to Baptista's earnest
request that Stow consented thus to make the whole journey to Lyonesse by
land and water at one heat, and not break it at Pen-zephyr; she seemed to
be oppressed with a dread of lingering anywhere, this great first act of
disobedience to her parents once accomplished, with the weight on her
mind that her home had to be convulsed by the disclosure of it. To face
her difficulties over the water immediately she had created them was,
however, a course more desired by Baptista than by her lover; though for
once he gave way.

The next morning was bright and warm as those which had preceded it. By
six o'clock it seemed nearly noon, as is often the case in that part of
England in the summer season. By nine they were husband and wife. They
packed up and departed by the earliest train after the service; and on
the way discussed at length what she should say on meeting her parents,
Charley dictating the turn of each phrase. In her anxiety they had
travelled so early that when they reached Pen-zephyr they found there
were nearly two hours on their hands before the steamer's time of
sailing.

Baptista was extremely reluctant to be seen promenading the streets of
the watering-place with her husband till, as above stated, the household
at Giant's Town should know the unexpected course of events from her own
lips; and it was just possible, if not likely, that some Lyonessian might
be prowling about there, or even have come across the sea to look for
her. To meet any one to whom she was known, and to have to reply to
awkward questions about the strange young man at her side before her well-
framed announcement had been delivered at proper time and place, was a
thing she could not contemplate with equanimity. So, instead of looking
at the shops and harbour, they went along the coast a little way.

The heat of the morning was by this time intense. They clambered up on
some cliffs, and while sitting there, looking around at St. Michael's
Mount and other objects, Charles said to her that he thought he would run
down to the beach at their feet, and take just one plunge into the sea.

Baptista did not much like the idea of being left alone; it was gloomy,
she said. But he assured her he would not be gone more than a quarter of
an hour at the outside, and she passively assented.

Down he went, disappeared, appeared again, and looked back. Then he
again proceed