SCENE.--_The Shrine on Saint Decuman's Island in the Bristol Channel. A living room built round the shrine of the Saint, a fine piece of decayed Decorated Gothic now in the back wall of the room. A large fireplace down right. A door above fireplace. A door left; two windows, one on each side of the shrine, show the sea with the horizon line and the sky above. A bookcase; a table; old oaken panelling, about seven feet high, all round the room, and above them white-washed walls. Red brick floor. Everything very rude and simple, and yet tasteful, as if it had been done by the village mason and carpenter under MICHAEL'S direction. Time, a September evening. Discover ANDREW GIBBARD packing a portmanteau, and EDWARD LASHMAR (FATHER HILARY), a Catholic priest, about sixty, very dignified and refined. Enter WITHYCOMBE, an old boatman._ WITHY. Now, gentlemen, if yu'me ready to start! If yu daunt come sune, us shall lose the tide down. FATHER H. I'm quite ready, Withycombe, as soon as I have said "Good-bye" to Mr. Feversham. WITHY. Mr. Feversham ain't coming along with us, then? ANDR. No, he stays on the island all the week, and you are to fetch him on Saturday morning. WITHY. Saturday morning. To-day's Wednesday. Right you are. Well and good. Saturday morning. Yu'me coming on to Saint Margaret's along with us, Mr. Gibbard? ANDR. Yes--we can find some accommodation there for the night, can't we? WITHY. Well, I warn ye 'tis rough. FATHER H. Rougher than my Master had on his first coming here? WITHY. Well, I waun't say that, but so fur as I can judge 'tis about as rough. FATHER H. Then it will do for me. Where is Mr. Feversham? WITHY. A few minutes agone he wor watching the excursion steamer back to Lowburnham. FATHER H. Will you find him and tell him that I am waiting to start? WITHY. Right you are, sir. Well and good. (_Exit._) FATHER H. Andrew--have you noticed any change in Mr. Feversham lately? ANDR. Change, Father? FATHER H. He seems so restless and disturbed, so unlike himself. ANDR. Does he? FATHER H. It's six years since I was in England. But he was always so calm and concentrated. Has he any trouble, do you know? ANDR. He hasn't spoken of any. FATHER H. No. But you're with him constantly. Surely you must have seen the difference in him? ANDR. Yes. He has changed. FATHER H. How long has he been like this? ANDR. The last four months. FATHER H. Do you know of any reason for it? ANDR. He's coming! _Enter MICHAEL._ MICH. You're ready to start, Uncle Ned? FATHER H. Yes. You won't change your mind and come with us? MICH. No, I must stay here. (_Glancing at books, restlessly._) I want to be alone. I couldn't be of any service to you over at Saint Margaret's? FATHER H. There is the legend that connects her with Saint Decuman--I suppose no more is to be learnt of that than we already know? MICH. No. The fisher people only know what they have learnt from the guide books.