“Ah, how glad I shall be to see dee-ar Granny Lindsay, and revive one of those old-time, happy, happy days!” exclaimed Gloria. “My dear,” said Colonel de Crespigney, gravely, “the tide is coming in, and we are not more than half-way across. It is not safe to remain here a moment longer. We can scarcely cross before the road will be six feet under water!” “And David Lindsay has to walk! He will never be able to cross in safety! And it is I who have kept him loitering here! Oh, I am so sorry! But you must not walk, indeed, David Lindsay! Get in here and sit beside me, if you please. Yes, but I insist upon it now!” she added, seeing that he did not comply with her request. “You had better do so, Lindsay,” coldly added Colonel de Crespigney, as he left his own seat and sat down beside Gloria, leaving the front cushion free for the young man. “I thank you very much, Miss de la Vera, and you also, sir; but I can easily walk the way before the road will be covered,” replied young Lindsay, as he bowed and retreated from the carriage. “‘A willful man must have his way,’” said the colonel. “Oh, Marcel, you did not invite him half cordially enough!” cried Gloria. “And suppose he was to be overtaken by the tide and swept away!” “No danger. Look there,” said the colonel, pointing to the road before the carriage, down which David Lindsay, with his fishing tackle in his hand, was striding at a good rate. The horses were now started and driven off at a speed. They passed the young man, who raised his hat as they whirled out of sight. “Marcel, I will never forgive you if David Lindsay is drowned!” exclaimed Gloria. “No danger, Miss!” volunteered old Laban from the box. “There is a plenty o’ time, an’ he’s a famous hand at walking.” “Foot at walking, you mean, old man, don’t you?” inquired Colonel de Crespigney. “I don’t see how you can jest, Marcel, when any fellow-creature, not to say David Lindsay, is in peril,” exclaimed Gloria, reproachfully. “Do you, then, suppose, my dear, that I am capable of jesting with the peril of any fellow-creature? Is not my jesting proof enough that there is no peril?” inquired the colonel, deprecatingly. She did not answer him. She had twisted her head quite around to look back on the figure of the young man, who was striding fast behind the carriage. And during the remainder of their rapid drive she continued from time to time to look back at the striding figure, until at length they had crossed the long stretch of road and reached the higher and broader portion of the promontory that was so soon to be turned by the high tide into an island. Then for the last time she looked and saw that though the lowest part of the isthmus was covered with the waves, yet as David Lindsay was already ascending the rise towards the promontory, he was out of danger. It was nearly dark when they reached the house, which was already lighted up for the reception of the travelers.