ere to ride on the beach after lunch, returning
on the turn of the tide to see the bathers. Therefore no opportunity
seemed likely to present itself before evening for the promised
introduction.

The afternoon proved fine, and we were cantering gaily along in the
fresh breeze and sunshine, when another party appeared, advancing from
the opposite direction, whom I knew to be Mrs. Sancy, her little
daughter Isabelle, and the Kanaka servant. The child and servant were
galloping hard, and passed us with a rush. But the lady seemed in a
quieter mood, riding easily and carelessly, with an air of
pre-occupation. Suddenly she too gave her horse whip and rein, and as
she dashed past I heard her exclaim, "The quicksands! the quicksands!"

Instinctively we drew rein, turned, and followed. We rode hard for a few
minutes, without overtaking her; then slackened our speed on seeing her
come up with the child, and arrest the race which had so alarmed her.

"There are no quicksands in this direction;" was the first remark of
Kittredge when we could speak.

"What should make her think so?"

"There _were_ quicksands there a number of years ago, and by her manner
she must have known it then."

"And by the same token," I replied, "she cannot have been here since the
change."

"Who is she?"

"My friend, Mrs. Sancy."

"Where is she from?"

"From the quicksands;" I replied evasively, as I saw the lady
approaching us.

"I fear you have shared my fright," she said, as soon as she came within
speaking distance. "When I used to be familiar with these sands there
was a dangerous spot out there; but I perceive time has effaced it, as
he does so many things;" smiling, and bowing to my escort.

"There are some things time never effaces, even from the sands,"
returned Kittredge, growing visibly pale.

"That is contrary to the poets," laughingly she rejoined; "but I believe
the poets have been superseded by the scientists, who prove everything
for you by a fossil."

I could not help watching her to learn how much or how little
recognition there was in her face. The color came and went, I could
perceive; but whether with doubt or certainty I could not determine. I
felt I ought to introduce them, but shrunk from helping on the
denouement in that way. In my embarrassment I said nothing. We were now
approaching the vicinity of the bathing-houses, and seeing the visitors
collecting for the bath, an excuse was furnished for quickening our