Here the silence had been interrupted only by low whispers.

The colour had faded from most of the grave, anxious faces, and their timid glances shunned one another.
Archibius had first perceived, by the flames of the Pharos, the red glimmer which announced the approach of the royal galley.

It had not been expected so early, but was already passing the islands into the great harbour.

It was probably the Antonius, the ship on which the old swallows had pecked the young ones to death.
Though the waves were running high, even in the sheltered harbour, they scarcely rocked the massive vessel.

An experienced pilot must have steered it past the shallows and cliffs on the eastern side of the roadstead, for instead of passing around the island of Antirrhodus as usual, it kept between the island and the Lochias, steering straight towards the entrance into the little royal harbour.