Old Tobias had hot blankets down before the fire and a steaming tumbler of brandy and water ready in no time. Biddy, deposited in front of the grate, sat up and looked about her in a dazed sort of way. She felt as if she were dreaming. 'Biddy,' said her father, 'you must take off the wettest of your things at once.' Biddy began to finger her garments. 'My frock's the worst,' she said; 'and oh, where's my hat gone?' 'Never mind your hat, child,' said Tobias. 'Here, step this way,' and he led her to a sort of partition in the corner of the room, behind which was his own bed; 'take off your things, my dear, and get into bed with this blanket round you whiles I sees to the gentleman. You'll be none the worse of your drenching: salt water's a deal better for not catching cold. It's the gentleman we must see to. It's the new rector, and a delicate gentleman he is.' Biddy stared up at him. 'It's my papa,' she said. It was the old man's turn to stare now. 'Your papa!' he exclaimed. He had never dreamt but that Biddy was a Seacove child, tempted out too far by the fine afternoon--a fisherman's or boatman's daughter. But however curious he was to hear more, he had too much sense to cross-question her just then. 'Get into bed, missie, and get to sleep for a bit, while your things dry.' Biddy had had her share of weak brandy and water; she had never tasted it before, and it soon sent her to sleep. Tobias went back to Mr. Vane. 'She's all right, sir. I'd no notion as she was your young lady. Was she awaitin' for you on the sands, or how?' Mr. Vane shook his head. 'I know no more about it than you,' he said. But he still looked so white and faint that the lighthouse man and the others gave all their attention to getting him warmed and dried, and at last they got him to look a little better, though he declared he could not go to sleep. 'You can stay quiet any way,' said Mr. Mildmay. But Mr. Vane looked up anxiously. 'My wife,' he said. 'She will be getting frightened, not about me merely, but the child.' 'I will take the boat back at once and tell her,' said Mr. Mildmay; 'if Williams can come with me, it won't take long. I'll run up to the Rectory, and then we'll bring another man out to help to row us all back again. I'll bring some wraps too. You think you'll be fit to go home in an hour or so?' 'Certainly,' said Mr. Vane decidedly. 'I could not stay here.'