."
The old woman pressed her hand on the girl's lips. "We will not speak
further to-night," she said; "thou canst not see Garthmund for three
days, for so long the feast will last. May the Gods protect thee!" She
rose: the fitful moonlight streamed on her gaunt form; she turned and
slowly ascended to her chamber.

The terrified girl quickly released Jean, who led her from the tower. If
she was broken and trembling he was erect and resolute; no longer the
soft lover, but the prompt man of action. She felt the bracing
influence. "We have three days," he said. "Within that time we must
flee. I will not return to the cave; my task must be to repair the
boat." He mentioned certain articles which he begged her to provide,
pressed her to his breast, and disappeared in the darkness.

At daylight he examined the little vessel. She was no worse than she had
been, as each incoming tide, reaching the place where she was secured,
had floated her, but the rock had opened a large jagged fissure. Hilda
brought him such materials as she could procure, a log of wood, bark
which she stitched with her own hands, a hatchet and nails. Jean
utilized also the vraick with which the sand was strewn. He worked
without fear of detection, knowing that the whole population was inland;
but the lovers had to rely on themselves alone, for, when there was a
question of flight, Tita was no longer to be trusted.

On the third day Jean found the boat fairly seaworthy. Hilda felt a
severe pang at leaving Judith, who had not reverted to the subject of
her marriage. Whether her parent or not, she loved her dearly; she felt
also the pain of parting with Tita, but her resolution never swerved.
She had given her heart to Jean; she felt also a presentiment that she
would discover her father; while it was her belief that the parting from
her old associates was but temporary.

When the sun went down Jean set his sail, meaning to make a rapid dash
across the bay, and seeing no cause for concealing his movements. There
was more swell than he liked for so frail a craft, but wind and tide
were favourable to the enterprise, and the night was exceptionally
bright, the moon being full; this brightness would have been fatal had
the inhabitants been on the alert, but under present circumstances the
pale beams were welcome. Hilda took the helm; she knew every passage in
the labyrinth of submerged rocks, and they were soon in comparatively
open water. Jean then assumed co