Sunrise eBook

William Black
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 672 pages of information about Sunrise.

Sunrise eBook

William Black
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 672 pages of information about Sunrise.

So he argued, and communed, and doubted, and tried to believe.  And all through it—­whether he paced up and down by the sea in the blustering weather, or strolled away through the town and up the face of the tall white cliff, or lay awake in the dark night, listening to the rush and moan of the waves—­all through these doubts and questions there was another and sweeter and clearer sound, that seemed to come from afar—­

    “She shall be yet who is more than all these were,
     Than sister or wife or father unto us or mother.”

However loud the sea was at night, that was the sound he heard, clear and sweet—­the sound of a girl’s voice, that had joy in it, and faith in the future, and that spoke to him of what was to be.

Well, the days passed; and still his friends did not come.  He had many trips across, to while away the time:  and had become great friends with the stout, black-haired French captain.  He had conveyed Josephine and Veronique and their little grandmother safely over, and had made them as comfortable as was possible under trying circumstances.  And always and every day there were freshly-cut flowers and renewed fruit, and a re-engaged saloon-carriage waiting for those strangers who did not come; until both hotel people and railway people began to think Mr. Brand as mad as the little French lady assured herself he was, when he said he meant to cross the Channel twice for nothing.

At last—­at last!  He had strolled up to the Calais station, and was standing on the platform when the train came in.  But there was no need for him to glance eagerly up and down at the now opening doors; for who was this calmly regarding him—­or rather regarding him with a smile of surprise?  Despite the big furred cloak and the hood, he knew at once; he darted forward, lifted the lower latch and opened the door, and gave her his hand.

“Oh, how do you do, Mr. Brand?” said she, with a pleasant look of welcome.  “Who could have expected to meet you here?”

He was confused, embarrassed, bewildered.  This voice so strangely recalled those sounds that had been haunting him for days.  He could only stammer out,

“I—­I happened to be at Dover, and thought I would run over here for a little bit.  How lucky you are—­it is such a beautiful day for crossing.”

“That is good news; I must tell papa,” said Natalie, cheerfully, as she turned again to the open door.

CHAPTER VIII.

A DISCOVERY.

“And you are going over too?  And to London also?  Oh, that will be very nice.”

It seemed so strange to hear this voice, that had for days sounded to him as if it were far away, now quite close, and talking in this friendly and familiar fashion.  Then she had brought the first of the spring with her.  The air had grown quite mild:  the day was clear and shining; even the little harbor there seemed bright and picturesque in the sun.  He had never before considered Calais a very beautiful place.

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Project Gutenberg
Sunrise from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.