Cornelia attempts to follow Lodore to Havre in order to regain custody of Ethel, but she is stopped at Southampton by a "tempestuous" sea (134). By the time the weather clears, Lodore has already sailed for America with the child, and Cornelia refuses to follow him to America, as it would be an "acknowledgement of defeat" (134).

 

Southampton is a major port city on the southern coast of England.