last streak of colour left by the setting sun; but there was no
longer a sign of its glory to be traced in the heavens around her.
The twilight in Bermuda is not long and enduring as it is with us,
though the daylight does not depart suddenly, leaving the darkness
of night behind it without any intermediate time of warning, as is
the case farther south, down among the islands of the tropics. But
the soft, sweet light of the evening had waned and gone, and night
had absolutely come upon her, while Anastasia was still seated
before the cottage with her eyes fixed upon the white streak of
motionless sea which was still visible through the gloom. She was
thinking of him, of his ways of life, of his happiness, and of her
duty towards him. She had told him, with her pretty feminine
falseness, that she could wait without impatience; but now she said
to herself that it would not be good for him to wait longer. He
lived alone and without comfort, working very hard for his poor
pittance, and she could see, and feel, and understand that a
companion in his life was to him almost a necessity. She would tell
her father that all this must be brought to an end. She would not
ask him for money, but she would make him understand that her
services must, at any rate in part, be transferred. Why should not
she and Morton still live at the cottage when they were married?
And so thinking, and at last resolving, she sat there till the dark
night fell upon her.

She was at last disturbed by feeling a man's hand upon her shoulder.
She jumped from her chair and faced him,--not screaming, for it was
especially within her power to control herself, and to make no
utterance except with forethought. Perhaps it might have been
better for her had she screamed, and sent a shrill shriek down the
shore of that inland sea. She was silent, however, and with awe-