ill they reached a precarious wood bridge, a mile further on, Henry the
Eighth's Castle being a little further still.

But just within the summit of the bank, whither it had apparently been
hauled to be out of the way of the waves, was one of the local boats
called lerrets, bottom upwards. As soon as they saw it the pair ran
up the pebbly slope towards it by a simultaneous impulse. They then
perceived that it had lain there a long time, and were comforted to find
it capable of affording more protection than anybody would have expected
from a distant view. It formed a shelter or store for the fishermen, the
bottom of the lerret being tarred as a roof. By creeping under the bows,
which overhung the bank on props to leeward, they made their way within,
where, upon some thwarts, oars, and other fragmentary woodwork, lay
a mass of dry netting--a whole sein. Upon this they scrambled and sat
down, through inability to stand upright.

1. V. A CHARGE

The rain fell upon the keel of the old lerret like corn thrown in
handfuls by some colossal sower, and darkness set in to its full shade.

They crouched so close to each other that he could feel her furs against
him. Neither had spoken since they left the roadway till she said, with
attempted unconcern: 'This is unfortunate.'

He admitted that it was, and found, after a few further remarks had
passed, that she certainly had been weeping, there being a suppressed
gasp of passionateness in her utterance now and then.

'It is more unfortunate for you, perhaps, than for me,' he said, 'and I
am very sorry that it should be so.'

She replied nothing to this, and he added that it was rather a desolate
place for a woman, alone and afoot. He hoped nothing serious had
happened to drag her out at such an untoward time.

At first she seemed not at all disposed to show any candour on her own
affairs, and he was left to conjecture as to her history and name, and
how she could possibly have known him. But, as the rain gave not the
least sign of cessation, he observed: 'I think we shall have to go
back.'

'Never!' said she, and the firmness with which she closed her lips was
audible in the word.

'Why not?' he inquired.

'There are good reasons.'

'I cannot understand how you should know me, while I have no knowledge
of you.'

'Oh, but you know me--about me, at least.'

'Indeed I don't. How should I? You are a kimberlin.'

'I am not. I am a real islander--or was, rather...