"Oh, Mr. Sanderson, that sounds very encouraging indeed! But it's not so easy to 'claim the blessing,'" and she sighed.
They talked of other things. Belinda's manner had denied any familiarity on Sanderson's part had he been inclined to assume such an air. But she was kind.
Nor did her manner change appreciably toward him during the bright days that followed. She met his advances toward warmer friendship with a reserve that he could only accept as final.
Although Doctor Herschall was not on board the ship, Sanderson feared that there was an understanding between the black-browed surgeon and Belinda Melnotte.
He met Aunt Roberta in a day or two, and the little Frenchwoman—who wore just as decisive an air and carried herself with as much sang-froid afloat as ashore—showed that she liked the young man. She approved of his purpose in crossing the Atlantic too.
"Ma foi! you are the only Américain I have met that I could marry, M. Sanderson," she said gaily. "You appreciate la belle France."
But she amended this statement when Belinda introduced Captain Raphael Dexter into the little group.
"But yes, he is a fine man," she confided to her niece. "Did you ever see such a be-au-tiful head of hair? And his eyes—so keen; they twinkle like boulevard lights on a winter night. My faith! he is a fine man."
"Oh, Aunt Roberta! I have never heard you rave over a man before. You make me anxious. Remember I need a chaperon for a while yet."
But Aunt Roberta was quite in earnest.