The sight was indeed worth a long gaze. The sun was sinking in the west, and its crimson light flushed the water. A bank of purple clouds lay on the horizon, and where they parted the ruddy rays broke forth in glorious beauty. The whole sky caught the illumination, and the tiny clouds which floated overhead were of a delicate rose-colour.
"How pretty the sky is!" said little Coral. "It was often like that when we were in the ship. Papa used to take me on deck to look at it."
"It will be a fine day to-morrow," said Lucy; "it always is when the sun goes down red."
Beryl said nothing, but gazed in silence on the beauty of the sky. She could not have explained what she thought of it, but somehow, in the child's mind, the glory of that sunset was entwined with her idea of the kingdom of heaven. It was indeed a symbol of the happy death unto sin and new birth unto righteousness by which we enter into the kingdom of God.
They watched till the sun sank into his grave, which yet was no grave, and the pink clouds grew grey in the fading light. Then Lucy and Coral went on, and Beryl and her new friend followed. When they reached the village street, he said he must bid her good-bye.
"But I shall see you again some day, shall I not?" asked Beryl wistfully.
"Yes, my child, I hope so. I shall be at Egloshayle a few weeks longer; and, Beryl, if your father should wish to know my name, you can tell him I am David Gilbank, and I am staying at the Blue Anchor for a while, in order to do some sketching."
"David Gilbank," said Beryl. "Yes, I shall not forget. Good-bye."
And she bounded away to overtake Lucy, eager to tell her father, or any one who would listen to her, of the new friend she had gained. But her father was not to be found when she reached home, and she learned, to her vexation, that he had gone out.
Miss Hollys, as usual at that hour, was reclining on the sofa in the drawing-room; but when Beryl burst in, eager to tell all that had happened, her aunt, annoyed at her intrusion, showed no sympathy for the enthusiasm with which Beryl spoke of her new friend.