Such a headland loomed up on their starboard one evening when the sun was low; and as the plumes of spray from the incoming waves rose high in the air a rainbow formed itself in the fleeting mist. It was a fairy picture, repeating itself two or three times, no more. "That's my symbol of hope," said Aleck quite impersonally, to anybody who chose to hear. Mr. Chamberlain turned to Aleck with his ready courtesy. "Not the only one you have received, I hope, on this charming voyage." Madame Reynier was ready with her pleasant word. "Aren't we all symbols for you--if not of hope, then of your success as a host? We've lost our aches and our pains, our nerves and our troubles; all gone overboard from the _Sea Gull_." "You're all tremendously good to me, I know that," said Aleck, his slow words coming with great sincerity. Melanie kept silence, but she remembered the rainbow. The headland was the landward end of a small island, one part of which was thickly wooded. A large unused house stood in a clearing, evidently once a rather pretentious summer residence, though now there were many signs of delapidation. The pier on the beach had been almost entirely beaten down by storms, and a small, flimsy slip had taken its place, running far down into the water. A thin line of smoke rose from the chimney of one of the outbuildings; and while they looked and listened the raucous cry of a peacock came to them over the still water. Presently Chamberlain suggested: "I feel it in my bones that there'll be lobsters over there to be had for the asking. I heard your man say he wanted lobsters, Van; and I believe I'll row over there and see. I'm feeling uncommonly fit and need some exercise." "All right, I'll go too," said Aleck. "I'll bet a bouquet that I beat you rowing over--Miss Reynier to furnish the bouquet!" was Chamberlain's next proposition. "Do you agree to that, my lady?" "And pray, where should I get a bouquet?" "Oh, the next time we get on land. And we won't put up with any old bouquet of juniper bushes and rocks, either. We want a good, old-fashioned round bouquet of garden posies, with mignonette round the edge and a rose in the middle; a sure-enough token of esteem--that kind of thing, you know. Is it a bargain, Miss Reynier?" "Very well, it is a bargain," agreed Melanie; "but I shall choose bachelors' buttons!" So they took the tender and got off, with a great show of exactness as to time and strictness of rules. Madame Reynier was to hold the watch, and Aleck was to wave a white handkerchief the minute they touched sand. Mr. Chamberlain was to give a like signal when they started back. The yacht slowed down, and held her place as nearly as possible.