He spoke of vast horizons swept by fierce winds that whistled high above the summits of burning mountains.

He spoke of his forefathers that conquered ages ago the island of which he was to be the future ruler.

And then as, in her interest, she brought her face nearer to his, he, touching lightly the thick tresses of her long hair, felt a sudden impulse to speak to her of the sea he loved so well; and he told her of its never-ceasing voice, to which he had listened as a child, wondering at its hidden meaning that no living man has penetrated yet; of its enchanting glitter; of its senseless and capricious fury; how its surface was for ever changing, and yet always enticing, while its depths were for ever the same, cold and cruel, and full of the wisdom of destroyed life.
He told her how it held men slaves of its charm for a lifetime, and then, regardless of their devotion, swallowed them up, angry at their fear of its mystery, which it would never disclose, not even to those that loved it most.

While he talked, Nina's head had been gradually sinking lower, and her face almost touched his now.

Her hair was over his eyes, her breath was on his forehead, her arms were about his body.