"It's the most beautiful bridge in the world," said Miss Grammont, and
gave him her hand again.

Some deep-toned clock close by proclaimed the hour eleven.

The silence healed again.

"Well?" said Sir Richmond.

"Well?" said Miss Grammont smiling very faintly.

"I suppose we must go out of all this beauty now, back to the lights of
the hotel and the watchful eyes of your dragon."

"She has not been a very exacting dragon so far, has she?"

"She is a miracle of tact."

"She does not really watch. But she is curious--and very sympathetic."

"She is wonderful."....

"That man is still fishing," said Miss Grammont.

For a time she peered down at the dark figure wading in the foam below
as though it was the only thing of interest in the world. Then she
turned to Sir Richmond.

"I would trust Belinda with my life," she said. "And anyhow--now--we need
not worry about Belinda."

Section 7

At the breakfast table it was Belinda who was the most nervous of the
three, the most moved, the most disposed to throw a sacramental air over
their last meal together. Her companions had passed beyond the idea of
separation; it was as if they now cherished a secret satisfaction at the
high dignity of their parting. Belinda in some way perceived they had
become different. They were no longer tremulous lovers; they seemed
sure of one another and with a new pride in their bearing. It would have
pleased Belinda better, seeing how soon they were to be torn apart, if
they had not made quite such excellent breakfasts. She even suspected
them of having slept well. Yet yesterday they had been deeply stirred.
They had stayed out late last night, so late that she had not heard them
come in. Perhaps then they had passed the climax of their emotions. Sir
Richmond, she learnt, was to take the party to Exeter, where there would
be a train for Falmouth a little after two. If they started from Bath
about nine that would give them an ample margin of time in which to deal
with a puncture or any such misadventure.

They crested the Mendips above Shepton Mallet, ran through Tilchester
and Ilminster into the lovely hill country about Up-Ottery and so
to Honiton and the broad level road to Exeter. Sir Richmond and Miss
Grammont were in a state of happy gravity; they sat contentedly side by
side, talking very little. They had already made their arrangements for
writing to one another. There was to be no stream of love-letters or
protestations