Wat turned away disappointed. He would certainly look for his consolation from another source, if ever he came within reach of the House of Balmaghie.
"I thank you, my lady," said Wat. "At present my heart is too heavy to permit me more fully to express my gratitude."
He spoke the words mechanically, without setting a meaning to them. He listened to his own lips speaking as if they had been another's, and wondered what they found to say.
It was the afternoon when at last the boat was lowered to put Wat and Scarlett ashore. They were already stepping across the deck to the ship's side when Kate appeared at the top of the ladder which led up from the cabin. She walked straight to where Wat was standing and held out both her hands.
"I am yours; remember, I shall ever be ready," she said, quite clearly.
"And I," he said, more softly, "will come to you were it across the world. Only in your hour of need send me once again the heart of gold for a sign."
And he took her token from his neck, touched it with his lips, and gave it back to her.
"Till you need me, keep it!" he said, and so stooped and kissed her on the forehead before them all.
Then, without looking back, he followed Scarlett down the ladder into the boat.