"The destiny of all things, mademoiselle," he remarked, still elaborating
his work.

"Not all things!" she exclaimed. "Look at the Sphinx, and Cleopatra's
Needle, and--and a host of other things!"

"You think that they will endure for ever?" he said.

"For a very, very long while," she maintained.

"But for ever, mademoiselle?" He turned round to her, quite serious for
once. "There is only one thing that endures for ever," he said.

Chris frowned. "I don't want to think about it. It makes me feel giddy,"
she said. "Please go on drawing. The tide won't be up yet."

He turned back again instantly, looking quizzical. "_Alors_, shall we
build a barrier of stones and arrest the sea?" he suggested.

"Or weave a rope of sand," amended Chris.




CHAPTER IV

THE DIVINE MAGIC


When Chris went bathing it was her custom to slip a mackintosh over her