“Madam,” said he, “I know not who you are, nor what mad desire has induced you to usurp a name and an appalling destiny that are not yours. I warn you from the soul. No sooner arrived at the island——”
At this moment he was interrupted by the whiskered officer, who had entered unperceived behind him, and now laid a hand upon his shoulder. The sudden pallor, the deadly and sick fear that was imprinted on the steward’s face, formed a startling addition to his words.
“Parker!” said the officer, and pointed towards the door.
“Yes, Mr. Kentish,” said the steward. “For God’s sake, Mr. Kentish!” And vanished, with a white face, from the cabin.
Thereupon the officer bade me sit down, and began to help me, and join in the meal. “I fill your ladyship’s glass,” said he, and handed me a tumbler of neat rum.
“Sir,” cried I, “do you expect me to drink this?”
He laughed heartily. “Your ladyship is so much changed,” said he, “that I no longer expect any one thing more than any other.”
Immediately after, a white seaman entered the cabin, saluted both Mr. Kentish and myself, and informed the officer there was a sail in sight, which was bound to pass us very close, and that Mr. Harland was in doubt about the colours.
“Being so near the island?” asked Mr. Kentish.
“That was what Mr. Harland said, sir,” returned the sailor, with a scrape.