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Mrs.Romsey.
The one hotel in Sandyseal was full, from the topmost story to the ground floor; and by far the larger half of the landlord's guests were invalids sent to him by the doctors.
To persons of excitable temperament, in search of amusement, the place offered no attractions.

Situated at the innermost end of a dull little bay, Sandyseal--so far as any view of the shipping in the Channel was concerned--might have been built on a remote island in the Pacific Ocean.

Vessels of any importance kept well out of the way of treacherous shoals and currents lurking at the entrance of the bay.

The anchorage ground was good; but the depth of water was suited to small vessels only--to shabby old fishing-smacks which seldom paid their expenses, and to dirty little coasters carrying coals and potatoes.