before had the firmament seemed so alive to him. He could almost
hear it breathe. And beneath the stars the little boat raced eastward,
with the reef-points pattering on its tan sails.

Neither spoke. For the most part the minister avoided the girl's eyes,
and sat nursing his wrath. The whole affair was ludicrous; but it meant
the sudden ruin of his good name, at the very start of his career.
This was the word he kept grinding between his teeth--"ruin," "ruin."
Whenever it pleased this mad creature to set him ashore, he must write
to Deacon Snowden for his boxes and resign all connection with Troy.
But would he ever get rid of the scandal? Could he ever be sure that,
to whatever distance he might flee, it would not follow him? Had he not
better abandon his calling, once and for all? It was hard.

A star shot down from the Milky Way and disappeared in darkness behind
the girl's shoulders. His eyes, following it, encountered hers.
She left the tiller and came slowly forward.

"In three minutes we'll open Plymouth Sound," she said quietly, and then
with a sharp gesture flung both arms out towards him. "Oh, lad, think
better o't an' turn back wi' me! Say you'll marry me, for I'm perishin'
o' love!"

The moonshine fell on her throat and extended arms. Her lips were
parted, her head was thrown back a little, and for the first time the
young minister saw that she was a beautiful woman.

"Ay, look, look at me!" she pleaded. "That's what I've wanted 'ee to do
all along. Take my hands: they'm shapely to look at and strong to work
for 'ee."

Hardly knowing what he did, the young man took them; then in a moment he
let them go--but too late; they were about his neck.

With that he sealed his fate for good or ill. He bent forward a little
and their lips met.

So steady was the wind that the boat still held on her course; but no
sooner had the girl received the kiss than she dropped her arms, walked
off, and shifted the helm.

"Unfasten the sheet there," she commanded, "and duck your head clear."

As soon as their faces were set for home, the minister walked back to
the cuddy roof and sat down to reflect. Not a word was spoken till they
reached the harbour's mouth again, and then he pulled out his watch.
It was half-past four in the morning.

Outside the Battery Point the girl hauled down the sails and got out the
sweeps; and together they pulled up under the still sleeping town to the
minister's quay-door.