But now, in the stress of the storm, while the thunder rolled above him, and the lightning flashed over the swirling waters, everything seemed clear and plain.

He had done wrong, and he would now face the wrong.

Their happy meeting at Fordsea, as blissful as it was unexpected, might be followed by times of trouble for Valmai--times when she would desire to make known her marriage; and he had left her with an embargo upon her only means of escape out of a difficulty.

Yes, the path was plain, he would write to her and release her from her promise of secrecy.

Better by far that his father should be angered than that Valmai should suffer.