the foot of the
stairs, and ascended to the deck. Dreary the place was in the extreme.
It seemed a new spot altogether in contrast with its daytime self. She
could see the glowworm light from the binnacle, and the dim outline
of the man at the wheel; also a form at the bows. Not another soul was
apparent from stem to stern.

Yes, there were two more--by the bulwarks. One proved to be her Harry,
the other the mate. She was glad indeed, and on drawing closer found
they were holding a low slow chat about nautical affairs. She ran up
and slipped her hand through Knight's arm, partly for love, partly for
stability.

'Elfie! not asleep?' said Knight, after moving a few steps aside with
her.

'No: I cannot sleep. May I stay here? It is so dismal down there,
and--and I was afraid. Where are we now?'

'Due south of Portland Bill. Those are the lights abeam of us: look.
A terrible spot, that, on a stormy night. And do you see a very small
light that dips and rises to the right? That's a light-ship on the
dangerous shoal called the Shambles, where many a good vessel has
gone to pieces. Between it and ourselves is the Race--a place where
antagonistic currents meet and form whirlpools--a spot which is rough in
the smoothest weather, and terrific in a wind. That dark, dreary horizon
we just discern to the left is the West Bay, terminated landwards by the
Chesil Beach.'

'What time is it, Harry?'

'Just past two.'

'Are you going below?'

'Oh no; not to-night. I prefer pure air.'

She fancied he might be displeased with her for coming to him at this
unearthly hour. 'I should like to stay here too, if you will allow me,'
she said timidly.

'I want to ask you things.'

'Allow you, Elfie!' said Knight, putting his arm round her and drawing
her closer. 'I am twice as happy with you by my side. Yes: we will stay,
and watch the approach of day.'

So they again sought out the sheltered nook, and sitting down wrapped
themselves in the rug as before.

'What were you going to ask me?' he inquired, as they undulated up and
down.

'Oh, it was not much--perhaps a thing I ought not to ask,' she said
hesitatingly. Her sudden wish had really been to discover at once
whether he had ever before been engaged to be married. If he had, she
would make that a ground for telling him a little of her conduct with
Stephen. Mrs. Jethway's seeming words had so depressed the girl that
she herself now painted her flight in the darkest colours,