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224 you're the first she's shown such kindness to as she's shown to you. But reckon not too much on that, I warn you. She's not your ordinary lass, that minces and mouths, like the girls at Hurst Court we're going to dine with to-morrow." Tregenna made a mental note of this fact, and determined that he would be invited too. "And what she did and what she said she'd have done and said for any other man in such a plight as yours, I doubt not! But we'll see, we'll see. I'm in no hurry to lose my Joan, I promise you, sir. The day must come when she'll go forth from me as a bride; but there's time enough for that, time enough for that! And I would not have you hope too much, though I do not bid you despair."

Tregenna was forced to be content with this vague encouragement, and with the comfort of having unburdened his heart to a sympathetic ear. It was not long before he took his leave, and having followed the vicar's advice to concern himself for that night with nothing but his own safety, reached the boat in the creek without accident, and was soon on board the Sea-Gull.

Next morning he was early astir. He had