eight
o'clock
On our prosperous homeward voyage over the sunny sea I was even more quiet and even merrier than the night before . As soon as I could make myself free for a day I went out sailing again . I now knew the way and the water and took no one with me this time . At daybreak I left The Hague and was beyond the locks before eight o'clock . I had not mentioned my encounter to Lucia , but nevertheless I felt none of that secret sense of guilt of a married man , who feels himself charmed by a strange woman . To-day it was a warm summer 's day with a light eastern breeze blowing . The great yellow sheet of water looked as peaceful and friendly as it had appeared wild and wicked the time before .