Clark Bryant watched her , understanding all at once that he was nothing to her , that he had no part or lot in her heart . He was as one forgotten and left behind . And how lovely , how desirable she was ! He had never seen her look so beautiful . The shawl had slipped down to her shoulders and her head rose out of it like some magnificent flower out of a crimson calyx . The masses of her black hair lifted from her face in the rush of the wind and swayed back again like rich shadows . Her lips were stung scarlet with the sea 's sharp caresses , and her eyes , large and splendid , looked past him unseeing to the harbour lights of Racicot . When they swung in by the wharf Nora sprang from the boat before Bryant had time to moor it . Pausing for an instant , she called down to him , carelessly , `` Do n't wait for me . I shall not go back tonight . '' Then she caught her shawl around her head and almost ran up the wharf and along the shore . No one was abroad , for it was supper hour in Racicot . In the Shelley kitchen the family was gathered around the table , when the door was flung open and Nora stood on the threshold . For a moment they gazed at her as at an apparition . They had not known the precise day of her coming and were not aware of the Camerons ' arrival at Dalveigh . `` It 's the girl herself . It 's Nora , '' said old Nathan , rising from his bench . `` Mother ! '' cried Nora . She ran across the room and buried her face in her mother 's breast , sobbing .
When the news spread , the Racicot people crowded in to see XXXXX until the house was full .
Bryant Camerons Dalveigh Mother Nathan Nora Racicot Shelley calyx left