“In the hour of death, and in the day of judgment, Good Lord deliver us.”

And as he spoke the crash came.  Next moment the boat had disappeared, and the steamer still swept on.

Neither of the three on shore saw more than this.  At the moment when the boat was struck and sunk, Mr. Strafford felt Mrs. Costello’s clasp loosen on his arm.  He turned just in time to save her from falling, and carried her back into the house in one of those fainting fits which so much alarmed Lucia.  It did not, however, last long; and when she had a little recovered, he left her and went out again.

The fog had once more settled down, but he could distinguish the many lights which now gleamed from the deck and from the windows of the steamer which still lay where it had been stopped.  Voices were audible, too, and he contrived to make out that boats had been let down to search for the fisherman and his companions.  This was all that could be learned here, and he became anxious to reach home, that he might himself cross to Claremont and learn what was known there.

He went back to the house, therefore, and found Mrs. Costello quite determined, in spite of her weakness, to start at once on their walk back.  With painful forebodings and regrets, therefore, they left the promontory, and walked as fast as they were able towards the village.

Little was said on the way; but as soon as they were near his house, Mr. Strafford told his companions of his intention.  Neither could find anything to say against it; but Mrs. Costello looked anxiously at him while he explained that he meant to take a good boatman with him and burn a bright light.  Then she held out her hand to him to express the thanks she had no words for.

They found Mrs. Hall unhappy at their absence, and ready to do everything possible for their comfort; but it was not until she had seen Mr. Strafford push off from the landing-place that Mrs. Costello could be induced to lie down and rest.

Then there was nothing more to be done, and she submitted readily; and so great was her exhaustion that she almost instantly fell asleep.  Lucia and Mrs. Hall sat watching her, and two hours passed before she woke.

At last, she moved, and Lucia was glad to see that her face was less pale than when she lay down, and that she looked up at her with a smile.

“Is Mr. Strafford come back?” she said.  “He will bring us good news, I think.”

“He has not come yet,” Lucia said; but almost as she spoke, footsteps were heard outside.  Mrs. Hall hurried to open the door, and Mr. Strafford came in.

“They are safe?” Mrs. Costello asked.

“Yes; all three.  There was the man and two boys—­one of them his son.  The steamer’s boat picked up the boys almost immediately.  The man’s arm is broken; and he was carried a little way down the stream before they found him.”

“Are they at Claremont?”