The first spring tide after the sea is withdrawn it wakes and rushes up.

It was so now in that little walled-in tract by the shore, where she had walked but yesterday.

Surely it was to be so in Fay's heart, now that the bitter tides of remorse and selfishness were ceasing to submerge it, now that at last joy and tenderness were reaching it.

Surely, love itself, the seeds of which lie dormant in every heart, love like a marvellous tide of white clover, was finding its chance at last, and would presently inundate her heart.
Then, unharassed, undelayed by vain words and futile appeals from without--all would go well.
* * * * * At the last moment when the meeting with Michael was really imminent Fay's _insouciance_ began, as Magdalen feared it might, to show signs of collapse.

It deserted her entirely as they drove up to Barford.
"Come out with me," she whispered in sudden panic, plucking at her sister's gown, when Wentworth asked her to go and speak to Michael for a few minutes in the garden.