Masses of cloud were passing away to the west, leaving a glorious expanse of blue sky.

Already the sea was calming.
Huge breakers roared over the reef, but beyond it the waves were subsiding into a heavy unbroken swell.
The sailor watched her closely.

In the quaint oilskin hat and her tattered muslin dress she looked bewitchingly pretty.

She reminded him of a well-bred and beautiful society lady whom he once saw figuring as Grace Darling at a fashionable bazaar.
But Miss Iris's thoughts were serious.
"Do you mean," she said slowly, without moving her gaze from the distant meeting-place of sky and water, "that we may be imprisoned here for weeks, perhaps months ?" "If you cast your mind back a few hours you will perhaps admit that we are very fortunate to be here at all." She whisked round upon him.

"Do not fence with my question, Mr.Jenks.
Answer me!" He bowed.