'John, I am a fool—an ass—a gibbering idiot.'
'Admitting that, what then?'
'I trusted a woman—imbecile that I am; and now—now—I'm what you see me.'
'Has—has Miss Brewster anything to do with it?' asked Kenyon suspiciously.
'She has everything to do with it.'
'Has she—rejected you, George?'
'What! that girl? Oh, you're the idiot now. Do you think I would ask her?'
'I cannot be blamed for jumping at conclusions. You must remember "that girl," as you call her, has had most of your company during this voyage; and most of your good words when you were not with her. What is the matter? What has she to do with your trouble?'
Wentworth paced up and down the narrow limits of the state-room as if he were caged. He smote his hand against his thigh, while Kenyon looked at him in wonder.
'I don't know how I can tell you, John,' he said. 'I must, of course; but I don't know how I can.'