A quick, breathless glance told him all. The boat had left the shore, and was steaming down the bay.
He ran down to the water's edge, stretching his arms out towards the receding steamer, and with an agonizing cry of "Claudia! Claudia!" fell forward upon his face in a deep swoon.
A crowd of villagers gathered around him.
"Who is he?"
"What is the matter with him!"
"Is he ill?"
"Has he fainted?"
"Has he been hurt?"
"Has an accident happened?"
"Is there a doctor to be had?"