n! John, what do you mean? How can you speak so to me! Would you go
away now that--that--"

"You wouldn't miss me so much, I should imagine. Cousin Percy will be
here, and you and he seem to be very confidential and friendly, to say
the least."

Gertrude gasped. She was beginning to understand, or imagined that she
was. She laughed merrily.

"John! Why, John!" she cried. "You're not jealous! YOU!"

John looked rather foolish. "No-o," he admitted doubtfully, "I'm not
jealous. Of course I'm not, but--"

"But what? Don't you trust me, John? Don't you?"

"Of course I do. You know I do, but--See here, Gertie, you said you were
going to explain--to explain something or other. Do it, then. I think I
am entitled to an explanation."

But Gertrude's merriment had vanished. Her eyes flashed.

"I shall not explain," she said. "You don't trust me. I can see you
don't."

"I do. I do, Gertie, really; but--but--"

"But you don't. You think--you think--oh, I don't know WHAT you think!
No, I shall not explain, not now, at all events. Good-night!"

She hastened from the room. John ran after her.

"Gertie," he cried, "you're not going? You're not going to leave me in
this way, without a word? I do trust you. I only said--"

"It wasn't what you said; it was the way you said it. I am going. I am
shocked--yes, and hurt, John. I shall not speak to you again to-night.
To-morrow perhaps, if you beg my pardon and I am really sure you do
trust me, I may tell you--what I was going to tell. But not now. I--I
didn't think you would treat me so."

She put her handkerchief to her eyes and hurried up the stairs. John,
standing irresolute on the lower step, hesitated, fighting down his own
pride and sense of injury. That moment of hesitation was freighted with
consequence. Then:

"Gertie," he cried, hastening after her, "Gertie, wait! I do beg your
pardon. I'm sorry. I didn't mean--"

But it was too late. Gertie's chamber door closed. John went slowly up
to his own room, the room to which the butler had carried his bag. A
few minutes after he had gone the curtains between the library and
drawing-room parted and Mr. Hungerford appeared. He was very cautious
as he, too, ascended the stairs. But his expression was a pleasant one;
there was no doubt that Cousin Percy was pleased about something.

CHAPTER XI

Captain Dan stirred uneasily. In his dream he had navigated the
Bluebird, his old schooner, to a point somewhere between Ha