The Rocks of Valpré

thing costume and to run down to the shore thus equipped, discarding the m

from afar with eager eyes and quivering nose. He would never be persuaded to follow her, owing to a rooted objection to wetting his feet. He was,

the morning bathe. Mademoiselle Gautier's pleasure was not so keen, but then-poor Mademoiselle!-who could expect it? Besides, what could she know

long rush through water, the greenness of it below the surface, the sparkling spray above. If only she could have command

irt and a hat if she could," reflected Ch

now found herself nearing the point where the rocks jutted far out to the sea. The Magic Cave was at no great distance. She saw the darkness of it and the water foaming white against the cliffs. Even in the mornin

ever undertaken. Serenely she lay on the water with her hair floating about her. The morning was perfect, the sea like a lake. Ove

so she caught the sound of oars grating in rowlocks. She turned her head, saw a boat cutting through the water at a prodigious

he cried.

concern in his face as he brought it back. His black head shone w

hurry? I wondered if you would tow me a little way

his oars. "I will row you to the shore

. "Just throw me a

no rope, m

ck, with laughing eyes upraised. "You will capsize in a minute, and

him her hand,

hat seemed very sure of itself. He smiled do

ristic briskness of decision. "Very well, if you will let me dive f

waves. A moment he had her slim young body between his hands

ing of spirit into flame ran between them-a transforming magic that only

cence, it only meant that the sun shone more brightly and the sea was more b

all the deepest forces of his nature; it meant th

been too absorbed to enjoy them. But now-in a single moment-Ambition was dethroned. At the time, though his eyes were open, he scarcely realized that the old supremacy

me to himself to wonder how old she was. "No, never mind!" she added

ove his elbows, he began to pull at the oars. He was certainly

r again all alone?" he suggested

ge of dignity about her, only the careless effrontery o

ine some day," she announced lightly,

mademoi

o talk French to me. It is holiday-time when I am with you, and I never talk French in the holidays,

his eyes upon her, tenderly indulgent. "Ah

tual name is Christina, but that's a detail.

for you," he said, wi

d with interest. "Wh

itated. "It will

rriest smile. "Of cour

ght of something deeper than mirth in his eye

may go on calling me that if you like, but it's too long for gen

d, madem

admonitory fi

said, with his

all you Bertie because it sounds more English. I

on to the thwart, where she stood

ht figure and bare, upraised arms. Her hair, that had begun to dry, fluttered a little in the breeze. The splendour of i

laughing face over h

er. "Christine!" he answ

e. "Well done! I wondere

o somethin

you wish

h me in the Magic Cave on the t

tainly,"

Chris. "I want to find out

ater at her feet, paused a moment longer; then

where she had stood as a man spellbound, while every pulse and every nerve throbbed with the thought of her and the mad, sweet exultation that she had st