ever had a chance of trying it
myself, Martin, but they are nervous times, I should think. Cruising in
doubtful channels, eh? with uncertain breezes? How does Julia keep up?"

"I can spare to-morrow," I replied, ignoring his remarks; "on Saturday I
shall cross over to England to see Jack Senior."

"And bid him adieu?" he said, laughing, "or give him an invitation to
your own house? I shall be glad to see you in a house of your own. Your
father is too young a man for you."

"Can you take me to Sark to-morrow?" I asked.

"To be sure I can," he answered.

It was the last time I could see Olivia before my marriage. Afterward I
should see much of her; for Julia would invite her to our house, and be
a friend to her. I spent a wretchedly sleepless night; and whenever I
dozed by fits and starts, I saw Olivia before me, weeping bitterly, and
refusing to be comforted.

From St. Sampson's we set sail straight for the Havre Gosselin, without
a word upon my part; and the wind being in our favor, we were not long
in crossing the channel. To my extreme surprise and chagrin, Captain
Carey announced his intention of landing with me, and leaving the yacht
in charge of his men to await our return.

"The ladder is excessively awkward," I objected, "and some of the rungs
are loose. You don't mind running the risk of a plunge into the water?"

"Not in the least," he answered, cheerily; "for the matter of that, I
plunge into it every morning at L'Ancresse. I want to see Tardif. He is
one in a thousand, as you say; and one cannot see such a man every day
of one's life."

There was no help for it, and I gave in, hoping some good luck awaited
me. I led the way up the zigzag path, and just as we reached the top I
saw the slight, erect figure of Olivia seated upon the brow of a little
grassy knoll at a short distance from us. Her back was toward us, so she
was not aware of our vicinity; and I pointed toward her with an assumed
air of indifference.

"I believe that is my patient yonder," I said; "I will just run across
and speak to her, and then follow you to the farm."

"Ah!" he exclaimed, "there is a lovely view from that spot. I recollect
it well. I will go with you, Martin. There will be time enough to see
Tardif."

Did Captain Carey suspect any thing? Or what reason could he have for
wishing to see Olivia? Could it be merely that he wanted to see the view
from that particular spot? I could not forbid him accompanying me, but I
w