The water was lightly crisped, and every large sigh of the low wind seemed to blow a sheet of diamonds over the quivering path of the moon; the light clouds were fleeting, fleeting; the shadows were fleeting, fleeting; and, ah me! the hours of youth were fleeting, fleeting to the gulf.

The girls never spoke; but Ferrier thought of one of them that her fateful silence was more full of eloquence than any spoken words could be.

She seemed to draw solemn music from every nerve of his body.

Oh, droll John Blair! Did those placid, good blue eyes see anything?
The deep contralto note of Marion Dearsley's voice broke the entranced silence.
"It seems a waste of one's chances to leave this, but we must go.

Lena and I must trouble you to help us, though I'm sure I don't know why.