ery slope ending in a cliff that dropped down on the sunset side of
the island to the sea. We had not gone many yards before we saw a single
figure sitting on this slope, its back to us, its slightly dejected head
and shoulders appearing above the crowd of wild-flowers--scabious,
harebells, and cow-parsley, through whose frail loveliness flashed the
shimmering sea. It was Charlotte.

I seized the Professor's hand. 'Look--there she is,' I whispered in
great excitement, holding him back for one instant. 'Give me time to get
out of sight--don't forget the letter--let me get into the wood first,
and then go to her. Now, all blessings be with thee, dearest
Professor--good luck to you both! You'll see how happy you both are
going to be!' And wringing his hand with a fervour that evidently
surprised him, I turned and fled.

Oh, how I fled! Never have I run so fast, with such a nightmare feeling
of covering no ground. Back through the wood, out on the other side,
straight as an arrow down the hill towards the Bodden, taking the
shortest cut over the turf to Kloster--oh, how I ran! It makes me
breathless now to think of it. As if pursued by demons I ran, not daring
to look back, not daring to stop and gasp, away I flew, past the church,
past the parson, who I remember stared at me aghast over his garden
wall, past the willows, past the rushes, down to the landing-stage and
Gertrud. Everything was ready. I had given the strictest private
instructions; and dropping speechless into the dinghy, a palpitating
mixture of heat, anxiety, and rapture, was rowed as fast as two strong
men could row me to the brig and the waiting skipper.

The wind was terribly light, the water terribly glassy. At first I lay
in a quivering heap on the cushions, hardly daring to think we were not
moving, hardly daring to remember how I had seen a small boat tied to a
stake in front of the inn, and that if the _Bertha_ did not get away
soon----

Then Fortune smiled on the doer of good, a gentle puff filled the sails,
there was a distinct rippling across the bows, it increased to a gurgle,
and Kloster with its willows, its downs, its one inn, and its
impossibility of being got out of, silently withdrew into shadows.

Then did I stretch myself out on my rugs with a deep sigh of relief and
allow Gertrud to fuss over me. Never have I felt so nice, so kind, so
exactly like a ministering angel. How grateful the dear old Professor
would be! And Charlotte too,