"So, my Captain," she cried, "you would forget me when you are getting up a party to take a cruise on your wonderful craft?"
If young Benson felt anything as he looked, he was staggered by this amazing bit of effrontery.
"You do not answer me," cried Mlle. Nadiboff. "You feel guilty indeed, then?"
"Perhaps 'astonished' would be the more accurate word," Jack replied, smiling now.
"My Captain, you were very pleasant with me, the first evening that we met."
"That was before," nodded Captain Benson, still smiling. He stood cap in hand, his whole bearing respectful, for he did not intend to be discourteous even to this known adventuress. He would grant her at least the courtesy due her sex.
"Before what?" she asked.
"Well, er—before that automobile ride the day."
"And why should that change your attitude toward me, my Captain?" asked the young Russian. Her tone was coaxing, almost cooing; her eyes extremely moist, as though the tears would spring forth in another instant.
"Why, you see, Mademoiselle," laughed Jack, coolly, "the finish of that automobile ride was just a trifle too exciting for me. I have plenty of the strenuous side of life out at sea. When on shore my tastes are all for the quiet, peaceful life."