“You’ve been the victim of a mistake,” he insisted, his hand resting upon hers. “I don’t believe that you really care for him at all. He doesn’t seem the right sort for you, he’s so much older and graver. You mustn’t be angry. You must forgive me, please, if I have said more than I ought—if I say more now—because I am going to tell you, now that we are alone together for a moment, that I love you.”
She turned upon him a little indignantly, though the distress in her face was still apparent.
“Captain Granet!” she exclaimed. “You should not say that! You have no right—no right at all.”
“On the contrary, I have every right,” he answered doggedly. “It isn’t as though Thomson were my friend. He hates me and I dislike him. Every man has a right to do his best to win the girl he cares for. It’s the first time I’ve felt anything of this sort. I’ve never wanted the big things before from any woman. And now—”
She turned impetuously away from him. Over their head an electric message was sparkling and crackling. She stood looking up, her hand outstretched as though to keep him away.
“I cannot listen any more,” she declared. “If you say another word I shall go below.”
He remained for a moment gloomily silent. A young officer stepped out of the wireless room and saluted Geraldine.
“Very sorry for you people, Miss Conyers,” he announced, “but I am afraid we’ll have to put you on shore. We’ve an urgent message here from the flag-ship to clear off all guests.”
“But we haven’t had lunch yet!” Geraldine protested.
Conyers suddenly made his appearance in the gangway, followed by Olive.