Man is but an actor at best—the emotions sway him at their will.
For her sake, then, I crushed down the great fear that kept tugging at my heart, and even attempted to look as though our situation did not possess the horror of being face to face with doom.
“We are fast on a reef—we may stay here for hours, even until morning. I do not believe the danger is imminent. Perhaps, God grant it, the sea may go down as suddenly as it arose, and leave us here safe. At the worst, I shall be with you. Be courageous—it will increase your chances of safety. Do you understand, Hildegarde?”
Of course, I had to shout this.
She nodded her head.
I could see that she was a heroine, and even in that dreadful hour my heart did her homage. Yes, I could understand why she had always admired valor in man, why she had been so disappointed because in those old days I refused to be a hero to please her.
Well, the time had come, and my hand was forced through sheer necessity—I had proved that no coward blood ran in my veins, though if we were doomed to die thus miserably, the advantage and triumph must be short-lived.
There was eagerness in her look now, and I could almost declare I saw the light of love there as she followed my every motion.
“I must leave you for a short time—it is necessary that I go on deck to see what damage has been wrought—to confer with my poor fellows, if they have not already been swept overboard,” I continued.
The wave of fear that passed over her white face was for me.