To look at his watch, he had thrown open his long Newmarket coat, forgetting that in so doing he disclosed the evening-dress in which he had robed himself at the Hôtel du Rhin for his friend's dinner at the Café Gaillard.
He hastily rebuttoned his coat, and turned his face seaward once more. But he heard her voice, and was obliged to come close to her that he might catch the words.
"You have given me your wraps," she said, with difficulty. "You will suffer."
"Not at all. You have your own rug, and one that the captain provided. I keep myself quite warm with moving about."
There was a pause. His mind began to fill with alarm. He was not of the men who act a part with ease; but, having got through so far, he had calculated on preserving his secret.
Flight was best, and he was just turning away when a gesture of hers arrested him. Again he stooped till their faces were near enough to let her voice reach him.
"Why are you in evening-dress?"
"I had intended to dine with a friend. There was not time to change."
"Then you did not mean to cross to-night?"
He delayed a moment, trying to collect his thoughts.