been gently lifted by the rising tide, and
floated into a nook hard by, where they lay out of sight of the passers-
by till a day or two after.

CHAPTER IV

In ten minutes they were steaming out of the harbour for their voyage of
four or five hours, at whose ending she would have to tell her strange
story.

As Pen-zephyr and all its environing scenes disappeared behind Mousehole
and St. Clement's Isle, Baptista's ephemeral, meteor-like husband
impressed her yet more as a fantasy. She was still in such a trance-like
state that she had been an hour on the little packet-boat before she
became aware of the agitating fact that Mr. Heddegan was on board with
her. Involuntarily she slipped from her left hand the symbol of her
wifehood.

'Hee-hee! Well, the truth is, I wouldn't interrupt 'ee. "I reckon she
don't see me, or won't see me," I said, "and what's the hurry? She'll
see enough o' me soon!" I hope ye be well, mee deer?'

He was a hale, well-conditioned man of about five and fifty, of the
complexion common to those whose lives are passed on the bluffs and
beaches of an ocean isle. He extended the four quarters of his face in a
genial smile, and his hand for a grasp of the same magnitude. She gave
her own in surprised docility, and he continued: 'I couldn't help coming
across to meet 'ee. What an unfortunate thing you missing the boat and
not coming Saturday! They meant to have warned 'ee that the time was
changed, but forgot it at the last moment. The truth is that I should
have informed 'ee myself; but I was that busy finishing up a job last
week, so as to have this week free, that I trusted to your father for
attending to these little things. However, so plain and quiet as it is
all to be, it really do not matter so much as it might otherwise have
done, and I hope ye haven't been greatly put out. Now, if you'd sooner
that I should not be seen talking to 'ee--if 'ee feel shy at all before
strangers--just say. I'll leave 'ee to yourself till we get home.'

'Thank you much. I am indeed a little tired, Mr. Heddegan.'

He nodded urbane acquiescence, strolled away immediately, and minutely
inspected the surface of the funnel, till some female passengers of
Giant's Town tittered at what they must have thought a rebuff--for the
approaching wedding was known to many on St. Maria's Island, though to
nobody elsewhere. Baptista coloured at their satire, and called him
back, and forced herself to commu