veral dark figures could be
distinguished in it besides those of the four rowers. Another boat, much
larger, with more than twice the number of oars, swiftly rising and
falling, was hurrying away in the direction of a high, rocky point on the
island itself.

A chill premonition of evil fell upon the woman's soul. It was like a
heavy nightmare weight that might only be felt, not seen, and could not
be shaken off. But the Countess de Mattos had experienced this
undefinable misery before, when the reaction came after taking too large
a dose of chlorodyne with her "solace." She hoped that it was merely this
now--that it was no real warning of trouble or threatening danger.

Virginia stood talking to Dr. Grayle and gazing eagerly toward the
advancing boat. The Countess de Mattos glanced at the two wistfully,
longing to go to them and ask questions. Yet something seemed to hold her
back. It was as if a whisper in her ear advised that there were things it
was better not to know. This was ridiculous, of course. It was always
more prudent to know about disagreeable things before they could happen,
and then sometimes they could be prevented, or at least staved off till
one was more prepared to grapple with them. But all the beautiful woman's
prudence was in abeyance to-night. The quality had not been born in her,
but acquired; which can never be the same.

She felt weak and unnerved, with a great longing to cling to some one
stronger and wiser than herself. But there was no such person at hand for
her. These others had their own interests. If they really cared for her
at all it was because she was ornamental, a thing of beauty which it is
pleasant to have within sight; and usually it was very convenient to the
Countess de Mattos to be considered thus. Indeed, most of the luxuries
which she loved so much more dearly than the necessities of life came
through her distinct value as an ornament. But now what was ordinarily
enough for her failed to satisfy. She felt horribly alone in the world,
as if she had slipped upon some terrible ledge of rock overhanging a
sheer precipice, and there was no one--no one on earth to help her back
to safety. Tears of self-pity rose hot in her eyes as she stood, not far
from Virginia and the doctor, hesitating what to do.

They were so absorbed in watching the approach of the boat that they were
unconscious of her presence, and suddenly it began to fascinate the
Countess de Mattos also, as if it we