"My true-love, I do not distrust you—do not think that," she said, with her lips pale and trembling, her color coming and going. "I believe every word in spite of them all. Aye, and shall always believe you. For, indeed, I cannot do otherwise and live. But oh, my lad" (here for the first time she broke into a storm of sobs), "if you had only trusted me—only told me—I should not have cared. She could not help loving you—but it was I whom you loved all the while."
Wat came nearer to her. She gave him her hand again.
"Nevertheless, for this time I must go with my father, since he bids me. But be brave, Wat, dear lad," she went on; "I believe in you always. The good days will come, and good day or bad day, remember that I shall be ready for you whenever you call me to come to you!"
In a moment they were in each other's arms.
"I will come!" whispered Wat Gordon in her ear; "if I be alive, as God sees me, I will come to you when and where you need me."
Roger McGhie had turned his back on them. My lady's eyes glittered with malice and jealousy, but only my Lord Barra found a word to say.
"Most touching!" he sneered, "much more so indeed than facts—but perhaps hardly so convincing."
* * * * *
Kate had gone below. The others still remained upon the deck. The Sea Unicorn was heading directly for the main-land.
Barra pointed to the blue hills which were slowly changing into gray olive on the lower slopes as the ship neared the land.