end of half-an-hour that poor lady's feelings were so overwrought,
and, in consequence, her sobs so loud, that the Admiral had perforce
to get out his double-bass and play a selection of martial music to
prevent Miss Limpenny's hearing them on the other side of the
partition.

All this happened early in the afternoon. Towards five o'clock Miss
Limpenny, who had only left her post twice, and on each occasion to
snatch a hurried meal, was rewarded for her patience. The front door
of "The Bower" opened, and Mr. and Mrs. Goodwyn-Sandys appeared,
dressed, as Miss Limpenny could see, for a walk.

"Now, I wonder," reflected that kind soul, "which direction they will
take. Personally, of course, I should prefer them to pass this
window; but I hope I can subdue private inclination to public spirit,
and for Troy's sake I hope they will visit the Castle first.
The salubrity of the air, as well as the expansiveness of the view,
would be certain to impress them favourably. Dear, dear! I wish I
could advise them. Should they take the direction of the town, I
know by experience they will be apt to meet with an effluvium of
decaying fish, and I should _so_ like their stay among us to be begun
under pleasant auspices."

But almost before Miss Limpenny had concluded these reflections, the
strangers had determined on the direction. They turned neither
towards the Town nor up the hill towards the Castle and the harbour's
mouth; but down the little road which led to Bower Slip and the
Penpoodle Ferryboat.

"Gracious me!" exclaimed Miss Limpenny; "they are going to take a