"Yes, I wish to, but I—I don't know exactly how to say it."
She was smiling now. "How may I help you?"
He shook his head doggedly.
"I am a sailor, Miss Wellington."
"You mean I am to hear plain sailor talk?" she quoted. "Good. I am ready."
He began with the expression of a man taking a plunge.
"Miss Wellington, I could say a great deal so far—so far as I am concerned, that I have no right to say, now.… But—are you going to marry Prince Koltsoff?"
She started forward and then sank back.
"You must not ask that," she said.
"I know—I understand," he said rapidly, "but—but—you mustn't marry him, you know."