“Alas, my Lord, it is no treason, for it is no compliment.”
The Admiral looked at her earnestly with his large searching eye, which raked one like a broadside.
“You do not understand me. I am not speaking in the flowery way of which you accuse us, but truth.”
“Princess, the women of your country have overwhelmed me with their gratitude for the small services I have been able to render it. I thank you—I thank you. It is nothing, what I have been able to do for you. But how am I ever to thank you for what you have done for me? It is not twelve hours since you saved my life with your bravery. I have none braver in my whole fleet. Princess, do not talk of gratitude to me, me who have robbed you of a brother; tell me rather how I can atone.”
“Are you blind?” she asked, in a low voice I could scarcely catch.
“I almost wish I were, that I might forget last night’s work.”
He waited for her to explain.
“You do not see yet?”
“See?”