"He is what you call a bundle of contradictions, eh?—a rough fellow with the heart of a bull. But he saved my life, and that naturally counts for a good deal with me. And how is your niece after last night's terrible experience?"
"My niece? D'ye mean Iris?" demanded Bulmer, obviously somewhat annoyed.
"Yes."
"She's not my niece; she's——"
"Your grand-daughter, then?"
"No, sir. That young lady 'as done me the honor of promisin' to be my wife."
"Oh!" said Dom Corria, fixing his brilliant eyes on Bulmer's vexed face.
"There's no 'Oh' about it," growled Dickey. "It was all cut an' dried weeks ago, an' she 'asn't rued of 'er bargain yet, as far as I can make out."
"You mean that the marriage was arranged before the Andromeda sailed?" said Dom Corria gently.
"W'y, of course. It couldn't very well be fixed after, could it?"