But I am only mortal, and the tide won't wait."

Again the swirling breakers swept around the Point. Reluctantly she came
to earth. The pool had become a seething whirl of water.

"Yes," she said, "we must go, and quickly--quickly! It rises so fast
here."

Sure-footed as a doe over the slippery rocks, she led the way. They left
the magic place and the dazzling tumble of moonlit water, the dark
caves, the enchanted strand. Progress was not easy, but Knight had been
that way before, though only by day. He followed his guide closely, and
when presently they emerged upon level sand, he overtook and walked
beside her.

She slipped her hand into his. "It's the lie of the quicksand that's
puzzling," she said, "if you don't know it well."

"I am in thy hands, O Queen," he made light reply. "Lead me whither thou
wilt!"

She laughed--a low, sweet laugh of sheer happiness. "And if I lead you
astray?"

"I would follow you down to the nethermost millstone," he vowed.

Her hand tightened upon his. She paused a moment, looking out over the
stretch of sand that intervened between them and the little
fishing-quay. He had safely negotiated that stretch of sand by daylight,
though even then it had needed an alert eye to detect that slight