"I am going ashore with you," she said.
He looked at her wild face, and shrank from her touch; he hurried to the stern to gain the boat.
"Don't come nigh," whispered he. "I've had it."
But she seized his arm and clung to him; she would not let him go.
Murmurs rose from her fellow-passengers; Mr. Davenport's eyes threatened to start from their sockets; but the captain interfered.
"No soul can leave the steamer," said he, resolutely.
"I must go!" returned Margaret, in a frantic voice.
"Miss Walsingham, you can't go," said the captain, sternly. "You would only fall a victim; and mind, I couldn't take you aboard again to carry the infection here."
"I won't come back!" she cried; "but I must go."
"Miss Margaret, I beg of you not to throw your precious life away," entreated Mr. Davenport next. "You can't find the colonel just now; most likely he's gone, poor fellow."