Out of the savings which from time to time Adam had placed with Mr. Macey enough was found to pay the passage-money out and keep them from being pushed by any pressing want on landing.

Already, at the nearest church, Adam and Eve had been married, and nothing now remained but to get on board the vessel, which had already dropped down the river and was to sail the following morning, Triggs had volunteered to put them and their possessions safely on board, and Reuben and Joan, with Eve’s small personal belongings, were to meet them at the steps, close by which the Mary Jane’s boat would be found waiting.  The time had come when Adam could lay aside his disguise and appear in much the same trim he usually did when at Polperro.

Joan was the first to spy him drawing near, and holding out both her hands to greet the welcome change she cried, “Thank the Lord for lettin’ me see un his ownself wance more!—­Awh, Adam! awh, my dear! ’t seems as if I could spake to ’ee now and know ’ee for the same agen.—­Look to un, Reuben! you don’t wonder now what made us all so proud of un at home.”

Reuben smiled, but Adam shook his head:  the desolation of this sad farewell robbed him of every other power but that of draining to the dregs its bitterness.  During the whole of that long day Eve and he had hardly said one word, each racked with thoughts to which no speech gave utterance.  Mechanically each asked about the things the other one had brought, and seemed to find relief in feigning much anxiety about their safety, until Triggs, fearing they might outstay their time, gave them a hint it would not do to linger long; and, with a view to their leavetaking being unconstrained, he volunteered to take the few remaining things down to the boat and stow them safely away, adding that when they should hear his whistle given it would be the signal that they must start without delay.

The spot they had fixed on for the starting-place was one but little used and well removed from all the bustle of a more frequented landing.  A waterman lounged here and there, but seeing the party was another’s fare vouchsafed to them no further interest.  The ragged mud-imps stayed their noisy pranks to scrutinize the country build of Triggs’s boat, leaving the four, unnoticed, to stand apart and see each in the other’s face the reflection of that misery which filled his own.

Parting for ever! no hopes, no expectations, no looking forward, nothing to whisper “We shall meet again”!  “Good-bye for ever” was written on each face and echoed in each heart.  Words could not soothe that suffering which turned this common sorrow into an individual torture, which each must bear unaided and alone; and so they stood silent and with outward calm, knowing that on that brink of woe the quiver of an eye might overthrow their all but lost control.

The sun was sinking fast; the gathering mists of eventide were rising to shadow all around; the toil of day was drawing to its close; labor was past, repose was near at hand; its spirit seemed to hover around and breathe its calm upon those worn, tried souls.  Suddenly a shrill whistle sounds upon their ears and breaks the spell:  the women start and throw their arms around each other’s necks.  Adam stretches his hand out, and Reuben grasps it in his own.