"I'm on my way to catch it now, dear Sedgwick, just as soon as I break away from the lady," he called back insolently.
"I'll—marry you." The words came from a parched throat.
"To-night," he demanded.
"Not to-night," she begged. "When we get back to Panama."
"No. I'm not going to give you a chance to welch. Now—here—on this schooner."
"Not to-night. I'm so—weary and—unstrung. I'll do whatever you say, but—give me time to—to—Oh, I'm afraid!"
"Bothwell, you cur, come in here and you and I will see this out to a finish!" I cried in helpless fury.
"Presently, my dear Sedgwick. I'll be there soon enough, and that's a promise. But ladies first. You wouldn't have me delay my wedding, would you?"
I flung myself against the door repeatedly and tried to beat it down, but my rage was useless. The lock and the hinges held. Back I went to my porthole.
"Evelyn, are you there?"