"'Vanity of vanities,' saith the Preacher"; and that lesson was her watchword.
One evening they were walking together upon the cliff.

In the west the sun had sunk, leaving a pale, lemon-coloured glow upon the sky.

Then far away over the quiet sea, showing bright and large in that frosty air, sprang out a single star.

Stella halted in her walk, and looked first at the sunset heaven, next at the solemn sea, and last at that bright, particular star set like a diadem of power upon the brow of advancing night.

Morris, watching her, saw the blood mantle to her pale face, while the dark eyes grew large and luminous, proud, too, and full of secret strength.