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steamer would of necessity return to Knollsea that evening； partly
because several people from that place had been on board； and also
because the Knollsea folk were waiting for groceries and draperies
from London： there was not an ounce of tea or a hundredweight of
coal in the village； owing to the recent winds； which had detained
the provision parcels at Sandbourne； and kept the colliers up…
channel until the change of weather this day。 To introduce
necessaries by a roundabout land journey was not easy when they had
been ordered by the other and habitual route。 The boat returned at
six o'clock。
So on they went to Sandbourne； driving off to the pier directly they
reached that place； for it was getting towards night。 The steamer
was there； as the man had told them； much to the relief of Sol； who；
being extremely anxious to enter Knollsea before a late hour； had
known that this was the only way in which it could be done。
Some unforeseen incident delayed the boat； and they walked up and
down the pier to wait。 The prospect was gloomy enough。 The wind
was north…east； the sea along shore was a chalky…green； though
comparatively calm； this part of the coast forming a shelter from
wind in its present quarter。 The clouds had different velocities；
and some of them shone with a coppery glare； produced by rays from
the west which did not enter the inferior atmosphere at all。 It was
reflected on the distant waves in patches； with an effect as if the
waters were at those particular spots stained with blood。 This
departed； and what daylight was left to the earth came from strange
and unusual quarters of the heavens。 The zenith would be bright； as
if that were the place of the sun； then all overhead would close；
and a whiteness in the east would give the appearance of morning；
while a bank as thick as a wall barricaded the west； which looked as
if it had no acquaintance with sunsets； and would blush red no more。
'Any other passengers？' shouted the master of the steamboat。 'We
must be off： it may be a dirty night。'
Sol and Mountclere went on board； and the pier receded in the dusk。
'Shall we have any difficulty in getting into Knollsea Bay？' said
Mountclere。
'Not if the wind keeps where it is for another hour or two。'
'I fancy it is shifting to the east'ard；' said Sol。
The captain looked as if he had thought the same thing。
'I hope I shall be able to get home to…night；' said a Knollsea
woman。 'My little children be left alone。 Your mis'ess is in a bad
way； tooisn't she； skipper？'
'Yes。'
'And you've got the doctor from Sandbourne aboard； to tend her？'
'Yes。'
'Then you'll be sure to put into Knollsea； if you can？'
'Yes。 Don't be alarmed； ma'am。 We'll do what we can。 But no one
must boast。'
The skipper's remark was the result of an observation that the wind
had at last flown to the east； the single point of the compass
whence it could affect Knollsea Bay。 The result of this change was
soon perceptible。 About midway in their transit the land elbowed
out to a bold chalk promontory； beyond this stretched a vertical
wall of the same cliff； in a line parallel with their course。 In
fair weather it was possible and customary to steer close along
under this hoary facade for the distance of a mile； there being six
fathoms of water within a few boats' lengths of the precipice。 But
it was an ugly spot at the best of times； landward no less than
seaward； the cliff rounding off at the top in vegetation； like a
forehead with low…grown hair； no defined edge being provided as a
warning to unwary pedestrians on the downs above。
As the wind sprung up stronger； white clots could be discerned at
the water level of the cliff； rising and falling against the black
band of shaggy weed that formed a sort of skirting to the base of
the wall。 They were the first…fruits of the new east blast； which
shaved the face of the cliff like a razorgatherings of foam in the
shape of heads； shoulders； and arms of snowy whiteness； apparently
struggling to rise from the deeps； and ever sinking back to their
old levels again。 They reminded an observer of a drowning scene in
a picture of the Deluge。 At some points the face of rock was
hollowed into gaping caverns； and the water began to thunder into
these with a leap that was only topped by the rebound seaward again。
The vessel's head was kept a little further to sea； but beyond that
everything went on as usual。
The precipice was still in view； and before it several huge columns
of rock appeared； detached from the mass behind。 Two of these were
particularly noticeable in the grey airone vertical； stout and
square； the other slender and tapering。 They were individualized as
husband and wife by the coast men。 The waves leapt up their sides
like a pack of hounds； this； however； though fearful in its
boisterousness； was nothing to the terrible games that sometimes
went on round the knees of those giants in stone。 Yet it was
sufficient to cause the course of the frail steamboat to be altered
yet a little morefrom south…west…by…south to south…by…westto
give the breakers a still wider berth。
'I wish we had gone by land； sir； 'twould have been surer play；'
said Sol to Mountclere； a cat…and…dog friendship having arisen
between them。
'Yes；' said Mountclere。 'Knollsea is an abominable place to get
into with an east wind blowing； they say。'
Another circumstance conspired to make their landing more difficult；
which Mountclere knew nothing of。 With the wind easterly； the
highest sea prevailed in Knollsea Bay from the slackening of flood…
tide to the first hour of ebb。 At that time the water outside stood
without a current； and ridges and hollows chased each other towards
the beach unchecked。 When the tide was setting strong up or down
Channel its flow across the mouth of the bay thrust aside； to some
extent； the landward plunge of the waves。
We glance for a moment at the state of affairs on the land they were
nearing。
This was the time of year to know the truth about the inner nature
and character of Knollsea； for to see Knollsea smiling to the summer
sun was to see a courtier before a king； Knollsea was not to be
known by such simple means。 The half…dozen detached villas used as
lodging…houses in the summer； standing aloof from the cots of the
permanent race； rose in the dusk of this gusty evening； empty；
silent； damp； and dark as tombs。 The gravel walks leading to them
were invaded by leaves and tufts of grass。 As the darkness
thickened the wind increased； and each blast raked the iron railings
before the houses till they hummed as if in a song of derision。
Certainly it seemed absurd at this time of year that human beings
should expect comfort in a spot capable of such moods as these。
However； one of the houses looked cheerful； and that was the
dwelling to which Ethelberta had gone。 Its gay external colours
might as well have been black for anything that could be seen of
them now； but an unblinded window revealed inside it a room bright
and warm。 It was illuminated by firelight only。 Within； Ethelberta
appeared against the curtains； close to the glass。 She