The skies were beautifully clear, and the sea calm, with a sun that dazzled the whole scene.

But clouds soon began to chase each other through the heavens and the sea became rough.

It was then that Clotelle felt that there was hope of escaping.

She had hitherto kept in the cabin, but now she expressed a wish to come on deck.

The hanging clouds were narrowing the horizon to a span, and gloomily mingling with the rising surges.