Suddenly there came a shock. They were opening the bay of Port St. Mary, with the little fishing town lying asleep along its sheltered arm, when he saw across the Poolvaish (the pool of death) the grey walls of Castle Rushen, and the long reach of Langness. And then memory flowed back on him like a tidal wave.
Derby Haven! The old maids' house! The girl burning her candle in her bedroom to educate herself that she might become worthy to be his wife!
"Oh God! Oh God!"
If Fenella loved him he had stolen her love. He had no right to it, being married already, virtually married—bound by every tie that could hold an honourable man.
He felt like a traitor—a traitor to Fenella now. He recalled what he had said last night. One step more and——
Thank God, he had gone no farther! If he had allowed Fenella to engage herself to him, and then the facts about Bessie Collister had become known, as they might have done through Dan Baldromma——
He must go. He must go immediately. His miserable mistake must not bring disgrace on Fenella also.
The yacht was sliding into the slack water of the bay, and the row-boats of the fish-buyers, each flying its little flag, were coming out to meet the fishing boats, when Stowell went down to the saloon—still dark with its blue silk curtains over skylight and portholes.
He took off his fisherman's clothes, put on his own, and sat down at the table to scribble a note to the Governor:
"Excuse me! I must go up to Douglas by the first train. Have just remembered an important engagement.