Chapter 13

           ONTHEdayMrs.Gouldwasgoing,inDr.Monygham’swords,to“giveatertulia,”CaptainFidanzawentdownthesideofhisschoonerlyinginSulacoharbour,calm,unbending,deliberateinthewayhesatdowninhisdinghyandtookuphissculls.Hewaslaterthanusual.TheafternoonwaswelladvancedbeforehelandedonthebeachoftheGreatIsabel,andwithasteadypaceclimbedtheslopeoftheisland.

           FromadistancehemadeoutGisellesittinginachairtiltedbackagainsttheendofthehouse,underthewindowofthegirl’sroom.Shehadherembroideryinherhands,andhelditwelluptohereyes.Thetranquillityofthatgirlishfigureexasperatedthefeelingofperpetualstruggleandstrifehecarriedinhisbreast.Hebecameangry.Itseemedtohimthatsheoughttoheartheclankingofhisfetters—hissilverfetters,fromafar.Andwhileashorethatday,hehadmetthedoctorwiththeevileye,whohadlookedathimveryhard.

           Theraisingofhereyesmollifiedhim.Theysmiledintheirflower-likefreshnessstraightuponhisheart.Thenshefrowned.Itwasawarningtobecautious.Hestoppedsomedistanceaway,andinaloud,indifferenttone,said—

           “Goodday,Giselle.IsLindaupyet?”

           “Yes.Sheisinthebigroomwithfather.