her parents, Charley dictating the turn of each phrase. In her
anxiety they had travelled so early that when they reached Pen-zephyr
they found there were nearly two hours on their hands before the
steamer's time of sailing.

Baptista was extremely reluctant to be seen promenading the streets
of the watering-place with her husband till, as above stated, the
household at Giant's Town should know the unexpected course of events
from her own lips; and it was just possible, if not likely, that some
Lyonessian might be prowling about there, or even have come across the
sea to look for her. To meet anyone to whom she was known, and to have
to reply to awkward questions about the strange young man at her side
before her well-framed announcement had been delivered at proper time
and place, was a thing she could not contemplate with equanimity. So,
instead of looking at the shops and harbour, they went along the coast
a little way.

The heat of the morning was by this time intense. They clambered up on
some cliffs, and while sitting there, looking around at St Michael's
Mount and other objects, Charles said to her that he thought he would
run down to the beach at their feet, and take just one plunge into the
sea.

Baptista did not much like the idea of being left alone; it was
gloomy, she said. But he assured her he would not be gone more than a
quarter of an hour at the outside, and she passively assented.

Down he went, disappeared, appeared again, and looked back. Then he
again proceeded, and vanished, till, as a small waxen object, she saw
him emerge from the nook that had screened him, cross the white fringe
of foam, and walk into the undulating mass of blue. Once in the water
he seemed less inclined to hurry than before; he remained a long time;
and, unable either to appreciate his skill or criticize his want of
it at that distance, she withdrew her eyes from the spot, and gazed at
the still outline of St Michael's--now beautifully toned in grey.

Her anxiety for the hour of departure, and to cope at once with the
approaching incidents that she would have to manipulate as best she
could, sent her into a reverie. It was now Tuesday; she would reach
home in the evening--a very late time they would say; but, as the
delay was a pure accident, they would deem her marriage to Mr Heddegan
tomorrow still practicable. Then Charles would have to be produced
from the background. It was a terrible undertaking to think of, and
sh