The deck of the _Sphinx_ shone with an almost dazzling whiteness,
accentuated by the black patches of sharp shadow flung across it.
Ann sat quietly enjoying the peaceful beauty of it all, oblivious to the
hum of conversation around her. For the time being she lost that sense of
fear and dread of the yacht which had so curiously obsessed her yesterday.
Now it seemed but a component part of the beautiful scene--to shoreward, a
ragged string of cottage lights climbing the hill-side, speaking of hearth
and home and of rest after the day's labour, and beyond, the still, calm
moon and tranquil bay, and the yacht, with its whiteness and sharp-cut
shadows, lying motionless like some legendary vessel carved in alabaster.
"What's your opinion, Ann?"
The question startled her, severing the dreaming thread of her thoughts.
She roused herself with a smile.
"My opinion about what? I'm afraid I didn't hear what was being said."
"About pains and penalties," explained Cara,
"They sound unpleasant."
"They are--very," agreed Lady Susan with her jolly laugh. "The question
under discussion is whether we all eventually have to pay up for our
misdeeds--even in this world.
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