the
breathing of a child.

In the direction of the harbour of St. Sampson, faint echoes could be
heard of carpenters' hammers. The carpenters were probably the workmen
constructing the tackle, gear, and apparatus for removing the engine
from the sloop. The sounds, however, scarcely reached Gilliatt by reason
of the mass of granite at his back.

The _Cashmere_ approached with the slowness of a phantom.

Gilliatt watched it still.

Suddenly a touch and a sensation of cold caused him to look down. The
sea had reached his feet.

He lowered his eyes, then raised them again.

The _Cashmere_ was quite near.

The rock in which the rains had hollowed out the Gild-Holm-'Ur seat was
so completely vertical, and there was so much water at its base, that in
calm weather vessels were able to pass without danger within a few
cables' lengths.

The _Cashmere_ was abreast of the rock. It rose straight upwards as if
it had grown out of the water; or like the lengthening out of a shadow.
The rigging showed black against the heavens and in the magnificent
expanse of the sea. The long sails, passing for a moment over the sun,
became lighted up with a singular glory and transparence. The water
murmured indistinctly; but no other noise marked the majestic gliding of
that outline. The deck was as visible as if he had stood upon it.

The steersman was at the helm; a cabin-boy was climbing the shrouds; a
few passengers leaning on the bulwarks were contemplating the beauty of
the scene. The captain was smoking; but nothing of all this was seen by
Gilliatt.

There was a spot on the deck on which the broad sunlight fell. It was on
this corner that his eyes were fixed. In this sunlight were Deruchette
and Caudray. They were sitting together side by side, like two birds,
warming themselves in the noonday sun, upon one of those covered seats
with a little awning which well-ordered packet-boats provided for
passengers, and upon which was the inscription, when it happened to be
an English vessel, "For ladies only." Deruchette's head was leaning upon
Caudray's shoulder; his arm was around her waist; they held each other's
hands with their fingers interwoven. A celestial light was discernible
in those two faces formed by innocence. Their chaste embrace was
expressive of their earthly union and their purity of soul. The seat was
a sort of alcove, almost a nest; it was at the same time a glory round
them; the tender aureola of love passing into a