"I've cautioned her not to fish so much for shells and sea-mosses," said he; "but she was always so self-willed." "_Don't_ say anything against the little darling!" implored Rosa.
"Perhaps we shall never see her again." He spoke a few soothing words, and then took his hat, saying, "I am going to the sea-shore." "Take good care of yourself, dear Gerald!" cried Rosa.
"No danger 'bout that," muttered Tulee, as she walked out of hearing.
"There's things with handsomer mouths than alligators that may be more dangerous.

Poor little bird! I wonder where he has put her." His feelings as he roamed on the beach were not to be envied.

His mind was divided between the thoughts that she had committed suicide, or had been drowned accidentally.

That she had escaped from his persecutions by flight he could not believe; for he knew she was entirely unused to taking care of herself, and felt sure she had no one to help her.

He returned to say that the tide had washed away the footprints, and that he found no vestige of the lost one.
At dawn he started for the plantation, whence, after fruitless inquiries, he rode to the Welby estate.