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"Oh, it is all very well for you to talk like that, Ellis; but nothing

you say can lessen the bitterness of parting fro shall prevent me; but I could bear the

separation with much more fortitude if only--"

And he stopped and looked landwards, where the indistinct grey blur was

beginning to take the pattern of fields and cliffs and beach

"If what?" said Ellis, shifting the sail a little

"If only I were married to Valmai"

"Phehat next?" said Ellis, "s to a climax My dear fellow, it would be far harder to part

from a wife of a week than from a sweetheart of a year That's my idea

of wedded bliss, you see"

"Nonsense; it would not!" said Cardo "It would givethat, co could really

come between me and Valmai; and besides, I should not want her to be

the wife of a week--I should be satisfied to beof my departure Come, Ellis, be my friend in this matter

You promised when I first told you of my love for Valmai that you would

help us out of our difficulties You are an ordained priest; can you

notof the 14th? You know

the Burrawalla sails on the 15th, and I go down to Fordsea the day

before, but not till noon Can you not ?"

"Has Val down in the prow of the