The weather had been very fine and gentle, and the sea delightfully plausible, without a wave--tide after tide--bigger than the furrow of a two-horse plough; and the maid began to believe at last that there never were any storms just here.

She had heard of the pretty things in Goyle Bay, which was difficult of access from the land, but she resolved to take opportunity of tide, and thus circumvent the position; she would rather have done it afoot, but her uncle and aunt made a point of her riding to the shore, regarding the pony as a safe companion, and sure refuge from the waves.

And so, upon the morning of St.Michael, she compelled Lord Keppel, with an adverse mind, to turn a headland they had never turned before.
The tide was far out and ebbing still, but the wind had shifted, and was blowing from the east rather stiffly, and with increasing force.

Mary knew that the strong equinoctial tides were running at their height; but she had timed her visit carefully, as she thought, with no less than an hour and a half to spare.

And even without any thought of tide, she was bound to be back in less time than that, for her uncle had been most particular to warn her to be home without fail at one o'clock, when the sacred goose, to which he always paid his duties, would be on the table.
And if anything marred his serenity of mind, it was to have dinner kept waiting.
Without any misgivings, she rode into Basin Bay, keeping within the black barrier of rocks, outside of which wet sands were shining.