In the pettiest character there are unfathomable depths; and

Katherine's, though yet undeveloped, was full of noble aspirations and

singularly sensitive. As she stood there alone, watching and waiting in

the dim light, she had a strange consciousness of some mysterious life

ante-dating this life! and of a long-forgotten voice filling the

ear-chambers of that spiritual body which was the celestial inhabitant

of her natural body. "Richard, Richard," she murmured; and she never

doubted but that he heard her.

All her senses were keenly on the alert. Suddenly there was the sound of

oars, and the measure was that of steady, powerful strokes. She turned

her face southward, and watched. Like a flash a boat shot out of the

shadow,--a long, swift boat, that came like a Fate, rapidly and without

hesitation, to her very feet. Richard quickly left it and with a few

strokes it was carried back into the dimness of the central channel.

Then he turned to the lilac-trees.

"Katherine!"

It was but a whisper, but she heard it. He opened his arms, and she flew

to their shelter like a bird to her mate.

"My love, my wife, my beautiful wife! My true, good heart! Now, at last

my own; nothing shall part us again, Katherine,--never again. I have

come for you--come at all risks for you. Only five minutes the boat can

wait. Are you ready?"

"I know not, Richard. My father--my mother"-"My husband! Say that also, beloved. Am I not first? If you will not go

with me, here I shall stay; and, as I am still on duty, death and

dishonour will be the end. O Katherine, shall I die again for you? Will

you break my sword in disgrace over my head! Faith, darling, I know that

you would rather die for me."

"If one word I could send them! They suspect me not. They think you are

gone. It will kill my father."

"You shall write to them on the ship. There are a dozen fishing-boats

near it. We will send the letter by one of them. They will get it early

in the morning. Sweet Kate, come. Here is the boat. 'The Dauntless' lies

down the bay, and we have a long pull. My wife, do you need more

persuasion?"

He released her from his embrace with the words, and stood holding her

hands, and looking into her face. No woman is insensible to a certain

kind of authority; and there was fascination as well as power in Hyde's

words and manner, emphasized by the splendour of his uniform, and the

air of command that seemed to be a part of it.




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