Slowly the weary winter passed away.

And just as spring was opening there began to be talk of Ragon Torr's going away.

Margaret continued to refuse his addresses with a scorn he found it ill to bear; and he noticed that many of his old acquaintances dropped away from him.
There is a distinct atmosphere about every man, and the atmosphere about Ragon people began to avoid.

No one could have given a very clear reason for doing so; one man did not ask another why; but the fact needed no reasoning about, it was there.
One day, when Paul Calder was making up his spring cargoes, Ragon asked for a boat, and being a skilful sailor, he was accepted.

But no sooner was the thing known, than Paul had to seek another crew.
"What was the matter ?" "Nothing; they did not care to sail with Ragon Torr, that was all." This circumstance annoyed Ragon very much.