As the mist cleared away the outline of the shore became more distinct, and it appeared as if Ostend was distant scarcely a cable's length.

The white dome of the great Kursaal glittered in the pale turquoise sky, and the smoke of steamers in the harbour could be plainly distinguished.

On the offing was a crowd of brown-sailed fishing luggers returning with the night's catch.

The many-hued bathing-vans could be counted on the distant beach.
Everything seemed perfectly normal.

It was difficult for either Nella or her companion to realize that anything extraordinary had happened within the last hour.