"Then why do you not obey me?" she asked, as if surprised at the density of his intellect.
"Because I am bound in chains—because I live only in your presence—because it would require more resolution than I possess to voluntarily quit your presence," he declared, warmly.
Roderic was himself again, evidently—at least he had whipped his demoralized faculties into line and found his tongue, so that he might give expression to what was in his heart.
The effect upon the young woman was plainly perceptible—she seemed overwhelmed either by the warmth of the sentiments he expressed or some familiar tone in his ardent voice, possibly both.
At any rate she no longer threatened to summon assistance from the cabin of the steamer.
On the contrary she advanced a step nearer the supposed sailor, and slowly, wonderingly stretched out an eager hand toward his arm, her eyes all the while fastened upon his dimly seen face as though she would there discover his secret.
"Who—who are you—what right have you to express such sentiments toward me?" she asked, in a trembling voice.
Roderic had now grown quite bold.
"By the right you gave me—by the love that has sent me aboard this hostile craft just to get one glimpse of your sweet face, to hear your dearly loved voice, perhaps if Heaven were very very kind, to even touch your hand reverently with mine. Do you longer question my right?"