From the summit where he lurked there was a magnificent view of the sea and the surrounding country. On one hand lay the lonely old church and all the solitary hills that overlook its wave-beaten promontory; on the other were the white-crested waves of the British Channel, rolling in sunshine; but Shafto saw only the face and figure of Dulcie Carlyon, who was clad just as he was fond of picturing her, in a jacket of navy blue, fastened with gilt buttons, and a skirt with clinging folds of the same--a costume which invests an English girl with an air equally nautical and coquettish. Dulcie's dresses always fitted her exquisitely, and her small head, with smart hat and feather, set gracefully on her shapely shoulders, had just a _soupçon_ of pride in its contour and bearing. Slender in figure, with that lovely flower-like complexion which is so peculiarly English, Dulcie had regular and delicate features, with eyes deeply and beautifully blue, reddish-golden hair, a laughing mouth that some thought too large for perfect beauty, but it was fully redeemed by its vivid colour and faultless teeth. 'Could I but separate them!' muttered Shafto, through his clenched teeth, while their murmured words and mutual caresses maddened him. Dulcie was laughingly kissing a likeness in an open locket which Florian had just given her--a likeness, no doubt, of himself--and she did so repeatedly, and ever and anon held it admiringly at arm's length. Then she closed it, and Florian clasped the flat silver necklet to which it was attached round her slender white throat; and with a bright fond smile she concealed it among the lace frilling of her collarette, and let the locket, for security, drop into the cleft of her bosom, little foreseeing the part it was yet to play in her life. Shafto's face would not have been pleasant to look upon as he saw this episode, and his shifty grey eyes grew pea-green in hue as he watched it. 'Oh, Dulcie!' exclaimed Florian, with a kind of boyish rapture, as he placed a hand on each of her shoulders and gazed into her eyes, 'I am most terribly in love with you.' 'Why should there be any terror in it?' asked Dulcie, with a sweet silvery laugh. 'Well, I feel so full of joy in having your love, and being always with you, that--that a fear comes over me lest we should be some day parted.' 'Who can part us but ourselves?' said she with a pretty pout, while her long lashes drooped. 'Dulcie,' said he, after a little pause, 'have you ever had an emotion that comes uncalled for--that which people call a presentiment?' 'Yes; often.' 'Has it ever come true?' 'Sometimes.' 'Well--I have a presentiment this evening which tells me that something is about to happen to me--to us--and very soon too!' 'What can happen to us--we are so happy?' said Dulcie, her blue eyes dilating.