Don't judge harshly--promise me you won't." And as she spoke her expression softened to a great and unconscious tenderness; for she beheld, in thought, a wide-winged sea-bird, above certain letters, tattooed in indigo and crimson upon the back of a lean shapely brown hand.
"I promise you," Carteret said, and passed in at the door marvelling somewhat sadly.
"Is it that ?" he asked himself.

"If so, it comes early.

Has she gone the way of all flesh and fallen in love ?" And this conversation, as shall presently be set forth, ushered in that second matter of cardinal importance, already referred to, which for Damaris marked the close of this eventful year..