He had not a shadow of proof of her existence.
The ice became strong, and bridged over the bay that lay within the crescent of islands.

All the islands, with their dunes, were covered with snow; the gales which had beaten up the surf lessened in force; and on the long snow-covered beaches there was only a fringe of white breakers upon the edge of a sea that was almost calm.
The first visitor of any importance who came across the bay was the English clergyman.

Nearly all the people on Cloud Island were Protestants, in so far as they had any religion.

They were not a pious people, but it seemed that this priest had been exceedingly faithful to them in their trouble, and when he had been obliged to close the church for fear of the contagion, had visited them regularly, except in those few weeks between the seasons when the road by the beach had been almost impassable.
Caius was first aware of the advent of this welcome visitor by a great thumping at his door one morning before he had started on his daily round.

On opening it, he saw a hardy little man in a fur coat, who held out his hand to him in enthusiastic greeting.
"Well, now, this is what I call being a good boy--a very good boy--to come here to look after these poor folk." Caius disclaimed the virtue which he did not feel.
"Motives! I don't care anything about motives.