"I can't find George Petherton," she said. "He is not below. I thought you told me----"
"I told you a lie, Miss Winter. Petherton went ashore hours ago."
Ella gazed at him in amazement.
"Then why did you say he was on board? What does all this mean?"
"Oh, are you blind?--cannot you guess?" he burst forth, unfolding his arms and drawing a step nearer to her.
Ella, on her part, stepped back: she was becoming frightened at the matter altogether, and at the fierce, dreadful look in his eyes.
"I brought you here, knowing we should be alone and beyond the reach of men, to tell you a secret, Miss Winter. I brought you here because I love you," he added, flinging himself on his knees before her; "because I cannot live another day without telling you! I have you to myself here, and none can interfere."
"Get up instantly," she indignantly cried, with all the bravery she could command. "Never let me hear another word of this folly. Help me into the boat again: I will return to the shore." Her heart was beating very fast and all the colour had left her lips, but there was a fine fire of anger in her eyes.
"Folly! yes, that is the word for it," answered Hubert, as he rose to his feet. "Not until you have listened to the whole tale of folly do you leave this spot."
"You would not dare to detain me?" said Ella, proudly.