A sombre, supernatural calm hung over the island like a pall.

Far off, over the black sea, pulsed the fitful glow of an occasional gleam of lightning, faint with the distance which it traversed.

There was no moon; the stars were gone; the sky was inky and the air somnolent.

The smell of smoke hung about her.

She could not help wondering if his fine, strong body was lying up there, burnt to a crisp.