was aware that she was looking into the depth of heaven, where a few
stars shone dimly. She was thinking of her brother, and (dear heart) I
pitied her. I yearned towards her as a lover yearns to his mistress,
with the single desire that he may comfort and solace and protect her.
Ah, well! my secret had been no secret to me for many days. There was
only one divine woman on earth, and she lay upon a rude couch in a
savage island, under the naked stars, and stared disconsolately to
heaven.

I fell asleep at last, and when I awoke, stiff from the earthy bed, the
night was receding westward. The dawn was merging in pearls and gray,
and a little light was suffused about the hollow. It was still warm. My
companions slept, some tossing restlessly, but the Princess lay almost
as if she had been sleeping under the hand of death. Her bosom moved
regularly, her parted lips disclosed the even white of her teeth; she
was safe from fears and immune from sorrows now at least, and I thanked
God. I got up and pushed my way through the bushes towards the beach on
which the high tide rumbled monotonously. Each moment the light grew
stronger, and I had walked only a little way before I was enabled to
make out the loom of the yacht some half-mile or more away. I mounted
the rise behind our sleeping-place, and now perceived that the land ran
upwards from where we were into a central ridge, dotted on the slopes
with trees. On the south-easterly side the island appeared to be broken
and to conclude in rocks, and here was where the _Sea Queen_ lay, with
a seaward list. It was plain, then, that so small a sanctuary would not
offer us adequate protection from Holgate if he wished to pursue us,
and my heart sank as I considered the position. Would he at the best
leave us to our fate on the island? And if so, would that be more
merciful than despatching us by the bullet of the assassin?

I returned to my companions to find Legrand and the French maid awake.
Juliette was serviceable as of old. She inquired of me sweetly what
chance her mistress had and took my assurances philosophically. She
would do her duty, I was sure, but I doubted the depth of her
affections. She came of sound, sensible peasant blood. And this was
what was needed at the moment, for we had to see to some breakfast,
Legrand agreed to mount guard while I went on an excursion of
investigation along the north shore. Here I was hidden from the eyes of
those on board the _Sea Queen_