He sprang down to the boat that lay waiting for him below; but she
didn't look after him, and went in with bowed head the opposite way.

Small things often weigh heavily in the world of impressions. Elizabeth
had been overpowered by what seemed to her the magnanimity of his nature
when he had declared that he would elevate her into the position of his
wife; she felt that it was her worth in his eyes which had outweighed
all other considerations. That he should shrink from the inevitable
conflict with his family she had on the other hand never for a moment
imagined. She had no doubt felt herself that it would be painful, but
had stationed herself for the occasion behind his masculine shield. When
he now so unexpectedly began to press for time, at first even proposing
to be away himself when the matter came on in his home, a feeling took
possession of her which in her inward dread she instinctively clutched
at as a drowning wretch at a straw, as it seemed to suggest a
possibility even now of reconsidering her promise.

She had a hard and heavy time of it during the two days until Carl
returned; and the nights were passed in fever.

On Saturday evening he came, and the first he greeted was herself: he
seemed almost, as she passed in and out of the room quiet and pale, as
if he didn't wish any longer to conceal the relations now existing
between them.

He had with him a letter from his father, which was read aloud when the
meal was over. It was dated from a South American port, and mention was
made in it of Salvé among others. Off Cape Hatteras they had had stormy
weather, and had their topmast carried away. It remained attached by a
couple of ropes, and with the heavy sea that was running, was swinging