scrutinising glance,
and had an impression of a long, lean jaw, dun-coloured hair, and a line
of eyebrow, unexpectedly dark. The whole effect was too thin and lined
to look robust after the florid men at home, but was nevertheless
instinct with force. Reassured she looked away, and attacked the food
on her plate.

"I have spoken to three people. My room-mate for one--an elderly woman,
rather a character. She is afflicted with a devouring curiosity which
it amuses me to balk. Then she lets off steam by confiding in _me_! I
know to a penny how much she has a year, and what her husband died of,
and her son's virtues and failings, and her plans for the rest of her
life... It's a bore sometimes, but she's kind! I'm beginning to like
her. Then there are two men--" She felt, rather than saw, the deepening
of interest, the slight turn of the head. "One sits at the next table.
Don't look now! Fair, handsome; by the girl in blue. He spoke to me
the first day; introduced himself, and was rather--startlingly--frank!
He is evidently an experienced traveller who leaves nothing to chance.
He suggested that we should... What do you think he suggested?"

Their eyes met, hers with a laugh; his stern, with a kindling light
which boded danger.

"I have no idea. I'd rather not guess."

"That we should arrange what he was pleased to call `a steamship
flirtation,' which consisted of an arrangement to spend practically the
whole time together, growing increasingly sentimental during the voyage,
but _only_ during the voyage! On landing we were to part with a
`Good-bye, pleased to have met you,' and mutually disappear into
space.--It was just a thoughtful arrangement for amusement _en route_,
like providing oneself with an interesting book. I discovered on
enquiry that he had already proposed the same arrangement to one or two
other girls, so that I had not even the consolation of coming first. I
refused with thanks, but judging by appearances the blue girl was more
amiable. He has not spoken to me since."

Captain Bedford looked across the table with a set jaw. The subject of
conversation was too much occupied with his neighbour to be conscious of
that glance, but Katrine saw it, and mentally noted that this man's
anger would be no light thing.

"I think," he said grimly, "it is a good thing you are no longer alone!"
Then, after a pause, he added a question. "And the other man?"

"Ah! I wonder. Perhaps you will thi