The dome of its Casino gleamed opalescent in its centre--a place for wonder--a place for dreams.

Yet Saltash's expression as he landed on the quay was one of whimsical discontent.

He had come nearly a fortnight ago to be amused, but somehow the old pleasures had lost their relish and he was only bored.
"I'm getting old," he said to himself with a grimace of disgust.
But he was not old.

He was barely six-and-thirty.

He had had the world at his feet too long, that was all.
There was to be a water-side _fete_ that night at Valrosa, and the promenade and bandstand were wreathed with flowers and fairy-lights.