“I suppose you think I’m acting strangely?” she said, catching the mate’s eye after one of these episodes.
“Oh, don’t mind me,” said the mate, with studied politeness; “don’t mind hurting my feelings or taking my character away.”
“Pooh! you’re a man,” said the visitor, scornfully; “but character or no character, I’m going to see into that room before I go away, if I sit here for three weeks.”
“How’re you going to manage about eating and drinking all that time?” enquired Fraser.
“How are you?” said the visitor; “you can’t get up while I’m here, you know.”
“Well, we’ll see,” said the mate, vaguely.
“I’m sure I don’t want to annoy anybody,” said the visitor, softly, “but I’ve had a lot of trouble, young man, and what’s worse, I’ve been made a fool of. This day three weeks ago I ought to have been married.”
“I’m sure you ought,” murmured the other.
The lady ignored the interruption.
“Travelling under Government on secret service, he said he was,” she continued; “always away: here to-day, China to-morrow, and America the day after.”