She laughed, but very kindly. Her eyes were softer than he had ever seen them, and there was a new flush in her cheeks.
“It is just as silly for you to say that as the other,” she declared, “considering that I have known you exactly—what is it?—eleven, twelve days. Now, could we talk nonsense, please, or go for a walk. We start again, and you see—I trust you.”
“I shouldn’t,” he warned her gloomily. “I’m not trustworthy, and you’ll find it out before long.”
“I’ll wait until I do,” she decided. “Come along. This morning I need movement. It isn’t nearly so hot, and there hasn’t been any one to do things with the last few days. We’ll play deck tennis on the upper deck, and then go for a swim.”
They passed the whole morning together. The doctor, seeing them, waved his hand cordially. The captain stopped and exchanged a few good-humoured words. Everything seemed to be once more as it should be. Gregory was quite as distinctly the best-looking and most attractive young man on board as Claire was the most charming girl, and nearly every one seemed pleased that the little misunderstanding which had kept them apart was apparently removed. Gossip, not ill-natured, but natural enough, recommenced. Gregory, heir to a baronetcy, poor, perhaps, but with a romantic career for a young man, and Claire, whose uncle was a partner in the great firm of Johnson and Company—a most suitable affair. Late in the afternoon they found a cool corner in the bows, and Gregory read poetry. His voice, naturally a beautiful one, with its slight Oxford peculiarities, fascinated Claire. She listened with joy as he passed from Shelley to Keats and wound up with Swinburne. Afterwards the captain took them into his room for tea and they sat talking until it was almost time to change. They descended from the bridge together.
“To-night,” Claire exclaimed happily, “we dance.”
Gregory made no reply. For a single moment a little shiver seemed to pass through him. She turned and smiled reassuringly.
“I am looking forward to it so much,” she murmured. “I’m sure we are both going to love it.”
The doctor swung by as Gregory was changing for dinner. Gregory hailed him.
“Just one moment,” he called out.