“How strange it is,” he thought again, “that I should be brought into contact with her brother like this! Poor fellow! more sinned against than sinning; and as for her—”
“Poor girl!”
There was a slight sound as of someone breathing hard, and the buccaneer stood before him.
He smiled gravely, and held out his hand; but Humphrey did not take it, and they remained gazing at each other for some few minutes in silence.
“Have you thought better of my proposals, Captain Armstrong?” said the buccaneer at last. “Are we to be friends?”
“It is impossible, sir,” replied Humphrey, quietly. “After what has passed I grieve to have to reject your advances; but you must see that it can never be.”
“I can wait,” said the buccaneer, patiently. “The time will come.”
Humphrey shook his head.
“Is there anything you want?”
“Yes,” said Humphrey, sharply. “Liberty.”