s, and quitted the room.

His buggy stood at the rear gate, and the driver was asleep, but his
master's voice aroused him.

"Elbert, go home, and ask Miss Salome please to come over as soon as
you can drive her here."

The east was purple and gold, the sea a purling mass of molten amber,
and only two stars were visible low in the west, where a waning moon
swung on the edge of the distant misty hills. The air was chill, and a
silvery haze hung above the moaning waves, and partially veiled the
windings of the beach. Under the trees that clustered so closely
around the house, the gloom of night still lingered like a pall, but
as Dr. Grey approached the terrace, he felt the pure fresh presence of
the new day. Up and down the sands his eyes wandered, hoping to
discern a woman's figure, but no living thing was visible, except the
flamingo and yellow pheasant still perched where they had spent the
night, on the stone balustrade that bordered the terrace. He took off
his hat to enjoy the crystalline atmosphere, and while he faced the
brightening east, the sharp peculiar bark of the Arab greyhound broke
the solemn silence that brooded over sea and land.

The sound proceeded from the boat-house, and he hastened towards it,
startling a mimic army of crabs and fiddlers that had not yet ended
their nightly marauding. The tide was higher than usual at this early
hour, and the waves were breaking sullenly against the stone piers.

As Dr. Grey ascended the iron steps leading to the pavilion, the dog
growled and showed his teeth, but the visitor succeeded in partially
winning him over, and now passed unmolested into the circular room. A
cushioned seat extended around the wall, where windows opened at the
four points of the compass; and on the round table in the centre of
the marble-tiled floor lay a telescope.

At the eastern window sat Mrs. Gerome, with her head resting on her
crossed arms. Although Dr. Grey's steps echoed heavily, as he trod the
damp mosaic where the mist had condensed, she gave no evidence of
having discovered his presence until he stood close beside her. Then
she raised one hand, with a quick gesture of caution and silence. He
sat down near her, and watched the countenance that was fully exposed
to his scrutiny.

No tears had dimmed the wide, mournful, almost despairing eyes, that
gazed with strange intentness over the amber sea, at the golden
radiance that heralded the coming sun; and every line and mouldin