Wilmot started violently, and putting his hand under his sister's arm, raised her at once, then calling to Hope to help, they proceeded to the outer air. When the view of the sea burst upon them, they found by its nearness how long they had been detained. "Hope," exclaimed he in a whisper of intense anxiety, "shall we be able to get round the corner of those rocks?" Hope looked. The sea was dashing among the stones directly at the base of the cliff, but some of them were still visible, and stood up black and hopeful against the spray. "Oh, Wilmot!" she exclaimed. "Call to them; we must hasten forward. How can we reach it?" Wilmot called in a tone which brought the whole party up to them in a moment. "What is it?" said Maude, looking in their anxious faces. He pointed with his disengaged hand, while he hurried forward, supporting poor Alice, who was doing her best to help herself, but could not put her foot to the ground. "Never!" exclaimed Maude, with blanching cheeks. The nearer they came to the projecting cliff, the quicker the ever-advancing sea seemed to come in upon them. "What shall we do?" said Hope, when she saw that the black points were fast disappearing. Wilmot and she were now so breathless that they were forced to give up their heavy burden to George and Maude. "Oh, hurry on," said Maude, weeping, "and see what can be done, and whether we can pass." Wilmot looked round. "Come, Mary; come, Miss Arundel; we will all keep together." He did not slacken his speed for a moment, and Mary, who was holding Nellie's hand, caught his, and so they hurried on. Alas! When they reached the cliff, the water was washing up at their feet, and far in front of them to their left, was the point, with the breakers rolling playfully in and out among the few stones that were still uncovered. As the party came to a stop, and looked in each other's terror-stricken faces, they realized the full extent of their danger. Behind them the cliff rose gaunt and tall; in front the sea crept nearer and nearer, slowly but surely advancing upon them. Their eyes scanned the horizon, not a boat or sail within sight, all smiling and sunny; the ocean, holding so many secrets in its bosom, without a change on its calm face. "Surely we can pass by wading," said Hope, gathering her clothes together and stepping into the shallow water. The others were following, but she and Wilmot bade them wait one moment; for they found that the point was still far ahead, and the water was already nearly to their waists. It got deeper and deeper, and Hope put out her hand to her brother as she felt her feet slipping under her. "It is useless," said Wilmot hoarsely; "come back." He guided her till she was within her depth again, and then he looked towards the little party on the shore. They had already retreated some feet from where he had parted from them, and now stood gazing at them with hopeless faces.