She had held the centre of the stage with the lime-light full upon her all her life, and she intended to retain it against Miss Billeton or Miss Anybody else.

She decided to let Max know at once, and in plain terms, giving him to understand that she didn't intend to be made a fool of, reminding him at the same time that there were plenty of others who cared for her, or who would care for her if she should but raise her little finger.

She WOULD raise it, too, even if she packed her trunks and started for Paris--and took him with her.
These thoughts rushed through her mind as she sat by the window and looked out over the sea.

The tide was making flood, and the fishing-boats anchored in the inlet were pointing seaward.

She could see, too, the bathers below and the children digging in the sand.