The little curls of foam that blew across the sand were elfin things stealing up from the sea-caves . The big , round-shouldered sand-dunes were the sleeping giants of some old northern tale . The lights that glimmered palely across the harbor were the delusive beacons on some coast of fairyland . Anne pleased herself with a hundred fancies as she wandered through the mist . It was delightful -- romantic -- mysterious to be roaming here alone on this enchanted shore . But was she alone ? Something loomed in the mist before her -- took shape and form -- suddenly moved towards her across the wave-rippled sand . `` Leslie ! '' exclaimed Anne in amazement . `` Whatever are you doing -- HERE -- tonight ? '' `` If it comes to that , whatever are YOU doing here ? '' said Leslie , trying to laugh . The effort was a failure . She looked very pale and tired ; but the love locks under her scarlet cap were curling about her face and eyes like little sparkling rings of gold . `` I 'm waiting for Gilbert -- he 's over at the Cove . I intended to stay at the light , but Captain Jim is away . '' `` Well , I came here because I wanted to walk -- and walk -- and WALK , '' said Leslie restlessly . `` I could n't on the rock shore -- the tide was too high and the rocks prisoned me . I had to come here -- or I should have gone mad , I think . I rowed myself over the channel in Captain Jim 's flat .
I 've been here XXXXX an hour .
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