He stared at her and then at me; and then said, looking at her again, ‘Don’t you mean to go along with him?’ indicating me with a sideways jerk of the head.
Her eyes sought mine for counsel.
‘It will be a question for you and me to discuss, captain,’ said I. ‘With all due deference to Miss Temple, it may be you will come to think that the presence of a lady could but encumber us in such a job as we have in hand.’
‘Ay, but she has my secret!’ said he swiftly and warmly.
‘Your secret is mine, and my interests are hers—you know that!’ I exclaimed.
‘What are the relations between you?’ he asked.
A blush overspread Miss Temple’s face and her eyes fell.
‘Ask me that question presently, captain,’ said I, laughing.
He continued to stare slowly at one or the other of us, but remained silent.
Wilkins entered with a pot of coffee. I furtively but attentively surveyed his expressionless veal-like countenance; but I might as well have explored the sole of his foot for hints of what was passing in his mind. He came and went quickly. Indeed, his practice of waiting consisted merely in placing our meals upon the table, and then lingering out upon the quarter-deck within hearing of the captain’s voice if he was wanted.