“Wherefore?” The word came in a low whisper, as though a woman’s heart were sinking with the voice to endless silence.
“I consider your happiness, and not—” He paused and turned to leave.
She spoke no detaining word, but only stood watching him as he walked away to the fortress, and her eyes were no longer haunted by misgiving.
“Roger.”
“Ay.”
“Hereafter ignore the dictates of impulse save in matters of your calling. Obey my commands alone, or seek another friend.”
“But, captain—”
“Stay, I ask no explanation nor apology. The thing is done.”
At sunrise the whole colony, save the governor and his daughter, having assembled on the shore, was divided into two parties—those who were lading cock-boats and barges with provisions prior to their departure, and those who merely assisted in the embarkation with a secondary interest, listless and mutely sad.
Soon, like the pinions of two great sea-fowl, wide-spread to bear them upward from a billow, the sails of the fly-boat and Admiral, mounting from yard to yard, held all eyes at gaze.