nothing but the
most distant intercourse.

But he was such a very great change from Tom!

She caught his dark eyes fixed on her at times with a look that reminded
her of Helier Baker's black spaniel's, who was a very close friend of
hers. They had neither dog nor cat at present at La Closerie, both
having been scrimped by the silver mines, when old Tom's first bad
attack of economy came on.

Then, at table, Gard was always quietly on the look-out to anticipate
her wants. That was a refreshing novelty. Even Bernel, her special
crony, thought only of his own requirements when food stood before him.

Now and again Gard began to venture on a question direct to her,
generally concerning some bit of the coast he had been scrambling about,
and she found it rather pleasant to be able to give information about
things he did not know to this undoubtedly clever mine captain.

So, little by little, he grew into her barest toleration but apparently
nothing more, and was puzzled at her aloofness and reserve, not
understanding at all her bitter feeling against the mines and everything
connected with them.

The first time he went to church with her and Bernel was a great
white-stone day to him.

He had gone by himself once every Sunday, and done his best to follow
the service in French, which he was endeavouring to pick up as best he
could. And, if he could only now and again come across a word he
understood, still the being in church and worshipping with others--even
though it was in an unknown tongue--the sound of the chants and hymns
and responses, and the mild austerity and reverent intonation of the
good old Vicar, all induced a Sabbath feeling in him, and made a welcome
change from the rougher routine of the week, which he would have missed
most sorely.

On that special afternoon, he had been lying on the green wall of the
old French fort, enjoying that most wonderful view over the shimmering
blue sea, with Herm and Jethou resting on it like great green velvet
cushions, and Guernsey gleaming softly in the distance, and Brecqhou and
the Gouliot Head, and all the black outlying rocks fringed with creamy
foam, till it should be time to go along to church.

When he heard voices in the road below and saw Nance and Bernel, he
jumped up on the spur of the moment, and pushed through the gorse and
bracken, and stood waiting for them.

"Will you let me join you?" he asked, as they came up, fallen shyly
silent.

"We don't min