"What—do you mean?" she asked.
He smiled.
"That women care only for rank and gold, and that without them a man cannot hold you. I shall take it to heart Good-by."
She looked at him doubtfully, hesitatingly.
"You will take the Seagull south?" he said. "Be good enough to ask your father to wire me as to her whereabouts. I may need her. But don't hurry. I'm only too glad that you are sailing her. Good-by."
She murmured "Good-by," and went down the steps slowly; and Drake, Viscount Selbie, refilled his pipe. Then he rose quickly and overtook her. She stopped and turned, and if he had expected to see signs of emotion in her beautiful face, he was doomed to disappointment; indeed, the look of apprehension with which she heard his voice had been followed by one of relief.
"One moment," he said. "I want to ask you not to mention that you have seen me here."
She opened her soft hazel eyes with some surprise and a great deal of curiosity.
"Not say that I have seen you?" she said. "Of course, if you wish it; but why?"
"The reason will seem to you inadequate, I am afraid," he said coldly; "but the fact is, I am staying here under another name—my own is being bandied about so much, you see," bitterly, "that I am a little tired of it."