ger was performing so intimate a task. She
needed comfort, and he gave it; that was the simple, natural fact.
Presently he raised his eyes to hers with an enquiring glance, and she
made a pitiful attempt at a smile.

"I was his only friend on board. Was I--kind enough? Do you think if I
had been kinder--?"

"You were an angel!" he assured her warmly, "and, humanly speaking,
nothing could have helped! His brain was diseased. It was not
deliberate intent, one is sure of that--just the impulse of a tortured
animal, to end it all, and be at peace."

Katrine nodded.

"He told me that at best it was only a question of months. We are well
and strong. We can't judge!" Katrine caught her breath on that last
word, her brain pierced by the memory of that death in life which
threatened her companion's life. "At least," she continued in a lower
note, "you _can_! You have been tried, but you are stronger, more
patient..."

Bedford's face set; he turned aside, not answering, and they sat in
silence during an interminable hour of waiting.

Nothing could be seen of the rescue party, but the sounds from the ship,
above all, the _lack_ of sound, told its own tale. There came no quick,
acclaiming cry, no ringing cheer; only at last the dull splash of the
oars, and the creak of the ropes as the returning boat was hoisted to
the davits.

Bedford roused himself, crept silently away, and returning five minutes
later seated himself as silently on the floor by Katrine's side. She
did not turn her head, nor question him by so much as a glance, but when
once more the ship shivered beneath the throbs of the engine, and the
waters raced back from the prow, the tears streamed down her face.

"I'm... _not_ sorry I... I didn't want him to be brought back to more
suffering and--shame! But it seems cruel to go on as if nothing had
happened,--nothing mattered! The only comfort is that for him, it must
have been--_quick_... He was so weak. He rose only once. Say it was
quick!"

"Very quick!" Bedford assured her. Not for his life would he have
hinted at the awful explanation of that solitary rising, which was now
generally accepted on board. He prayed that no one would enlighten her
ignorance. Once again he stole away, and returned in a few minutes,
carrying a cup of tea. Life must go on for the living, though death
hovers at hand, and already the saloon was filled with a pallid crowd,
who seemed to find unusual refreshmen