"Ah!" exclaimed Guy Kenmore, with a shudder.
"Mr. Stuart is one of the bravest men in the world, I think. He immediately sprang over the side of the yacht into the sea, and swam toward the floating figure. Before he reached her she lost her hold of the plank, and sank under the water. Mr. Stuart instantly dived, and brought her up in his arms."
"He saved her life. How strange," exclaimed Mr. Kenmore, as if speaking to himself.
"Do you think so?" she asked, looking at him keenly. "Why strange, Mr. Kenmore?"
"I beg your pardon. I did not express myself properly," he said, biting his lips nervously. "Well, Mrs. Leslie, do you mean to tell me that the heroine of that romantic episode was the beautiful Miss Berlin?"
"Yes, it was she," replied Mrs. Leslie.
There was a minute's dead pause. Irene was singing again. In the stillness her full, sweet voice floated out to them softly:
"Go! be sure of my love—by that treason forgiven,
Of my prayers, by the blessings they win thee from Heaven;
Of my griefs (guess the length of the sword by the sheath's)
By the silence of life more pathetic than death's!
Go, be clear of that day!"
Mrs. Leslie looked at the man's handsome face. It was grave and troubled in the moonlight.
"Is it not strange?" she said. "She would never sing for us until to-night. We did not suspect that she had such a soulful voice. But she was betrothed to Mr. Revington to-day. Perhaps the happiness of her soul finds natural vent in song."