She persisted, and they started through the twanging and spinning
storm. The sea rolled and rose so high on their left, and was so near
them on their right, that it seemed as if they were traversing its
bottom like the Children of Israel. Nothing but the frail bank of
pebbles divided them from the raging gulf without, and at every bang of
the tide against it the ground shook, the shingle clashed, the spray
rose vertically, and was blown over their heads. Quantities of sea-
water trickled through the pebble wall, and ran in rivulets across
their path to join the sea within. The 'Island' was an island still.

They had not realized the force of the elements till now. Pedestrians
had often been blown into the sea hereabout, and drowned, owing to a
sudden breach in the bank; which, however, had something of a
supernatural power in being able to close up and join itself together
again after such disruption, like Satan's form when, cut in two by the
sword of Michael,

'The ethereal substance closed,
Not long divisible.'

Her clothing offered more resistance to the wind than his, and she was
consequently in the greater danger. It was impossible to refuse his
proffered aid. First he gave his arm, but the wind tore them apart as
easily as coupled cherries. He steadied her bodily by encircling her
waist with his arm; and she made no objection.


* * *