They strolled first to the crenellated wall of the courtyard along which there was a high walk from which you looked down upon the boat-house and the little jetty--this wall made the fourth side of the courtyard, and with the gate tower, and the concierge's tower across the causeway, and part of the garden elevation, was the very oldest of the whole château, and dated from early feudal times.
They leaned upon the stone and looked down at the sea.
"There are only a very few days in the year that Minne-ha-ha ever comes out of her shed," Sabine told him, pointing to the boat-house. "You cannot imagine what the wind is here--even now it may get up in a few moments on this glassy sea, or thunder may come--and in the autumn the storms are too glorious. I sit at one of the big windows in my sitting-room and watch the waves for hours; they break on the rocks which stretch out from the tower, which is my bedroom on the Finisterre side, and they rise mountain-high; it is a most splendid sight. We are, as it were, in the midst of a cauldron of boiling foam. It exalts and vitalizes me more than I can tell you. I wish it had been the autumn now."
"I don't," he said. "I much prefer the summer and peace. I want to take away all that desire for fierce things, dearest--they were the echoes of those dark thoughts and shadows which used to be in your eyes at Carlsbad."
It was the first time he had ever seen her moved--and it distressed him.
"Do you not think that I can, then?" he asked, tenderly. "It is the only thing I really want in life--to make you happy."
"How good you are, Henry!" she cried; "so noble and unselfish and true; you frighten me. I am just a creature of earth--full of things you may not like when you know me better. I am sure I think of myself more than any one else--you make me--ashamed."
He took her hand and kissed it, while his fine gray eyes melted in worship.
"I will not even listen when you say such things--for me you are perfect--a pearl of great price."
"I must try to be, but I am not," and her voice trembled a little. "I believe I am as full of faults and life as your friend there--Mr. Arranstoun, who I am sure is just a selfish, reckless man!"
Michael at this moment reached the boat-house with old Berthe's son, who began to help him to untie the one he wanted. He looked the most splendid creature there in his white flannels--and he turned and waved to them and then got in and pulled out a few yards with long, easy strokes.