That evening was passed by Elizabeth in a terrible struggle with herself.

When Gjert had brought her clothes she had turned very pale, and had felt as if she had undertaken what she would not have strength to carry through.

And now that the decisive moment had nearly come, this feeling increased almost to despair.
They had all gone to bed in the house.

It was so quiet about her; and a feeling came over her such as she had experienced that time on the Apollo, as she sat and waited whilst they approached the sandbanks.
Early next morning the crisis would inevitably come; and it was a question now of losing more than the brig--of losing all they jointly possessed on earth! She saw a long, dreary life-strand stretching away beyond.
This time it was she who was at the helm, and steering a desperate course--to save her love.

A solemn look came over her face.