Her cheek grew crimson as the rich blood mounted to neck and face, and in a voice scarce audible she answered:
"No one!"
"Morgianna!" he whispered, "dare I hope--dare I for one minute--" he had risen to his feet and was standing at her side with wildly beating heart. She made no answer, but her long drooping lashes almost concealed her eyes, as she gazed on the floor.
He advanced a step nearer, bent over and took one little trembling hand in his own. She did not attempt to withdraw it this time, and, gently slipping his disengaged arm about her waist, he murmured:
"Morgianna!"
Still she was silent. He went on:
"You know how I have loved you all these years;--you must have known how I have suffered and braved dangers untold. I sought--defied death, because I deemed you lost. I spared the man I thought my rival, because I believed you loved him. Though a young man, there are gray hairs in my head, for it has been a living death since that night, Morgianna. Why have you----"
"Oh, don't, don't!" she plead, tears starting to her beautiful eyes. "Don't speak that way--forgive me."
"Morgianna!" cried Fernando, "Morgianna!"
"Call me that; aye call me that always," exclaimed the captain's little daughter; "never speak coldly to me, never be distant, never again reprove me for the follies I have long repented, or I shall die, Fernando."