The Well-Beloved

od, held his mind afar. He thought of nothing but the isle, and Avice the Second dwelling therein-inhaling its salt breath, stroked by its singing rains and by th

where the stone of his native rock was unshipped from the coasting-craft that had brought it thither. He would pass inside the great gates of these landing-places on the

way, going towards the spot he had just left. She was somewhat small, slight, and graceful; her attire alone would have been enough to attract him, being simple

me person. Their external likeness to each other-probably owing to the cousinship between the elder and her husband-went far to nourish the fantasy. He hastily turned, and rediscovered the girl amon

aged in conversation with the skipper and an elderly woman-both come straight from the oolitic isle, as was apparent in a moment from their accent. Pierston felt no he

artless candour of her race and years explained the situati

said. 'And this is Mrs. Kibbs. We've come up from the island wi'

nd where are

-on b

live on boa

es

re kimberlins at night-time; and even by day, if so be I venture into the streets, I nowhen for

r nodded c

erston, 'especially in the Channel, with th

em at this time o' year. 'Tis the ocean-bound steamers that make the risk to craft like ours. If you happen to be in their c

her, yet not knowing what to say. He lamely rem

s,

care of your

y

e you again soon

pe so

while Pierston left them, and went a

l down the open sea. That night he thought of the little craft under the bows of the huge steam-vessels, powerless to make itself se

g. Yet the fervour which the first could never kindle in him was, almost to his alarm, burning up now. He began to have misgivings

nce. A forsaking of the accomplished and well-connected Mrs. Pine-Avon for the little laundress, under the

to leave the suspicion unrecogn

in an artistic and ideal direction, did not require such gaunt accommodation as the aforesaid residence offered; but the spot was all, and the expenses of a few months of tenancy therein he could well afford. A letter to