cried she, eagerly; "there comes another squall. You
must take the helm; I am getting frightened."

"You are calmer than I am, Florence dearest. Hear me out. Why, I
ask you--why call me back to an existence which you intended to make
valueless to me? Why ask me to go a road where you refuse to journey?"

"Do come here! I know not what I am doing. And see, it grows darker and
darker over yonder!"

"You steered me into stormier waters, and had few compunctions for it.
Hear me out, Florence. For you I came back to a life that I ceased to
care for; for you I took on me cares, and dangers, and crosses, and
conquered them all; for you I won honours, high rewards, and riches, and
now I come to lay them at your feet, and say, 'Weigh all these against
the proofs of that other man's affection. Put into one scale these
successes, won alone for _you_; these trials, these wounds--and into the
other some humdrum letters of that good-enough creature, who is no more
worthy of _you_ than he has the courage to declare it.'"

As he spoke a clap of thunder, sharp as a cannon-shot broke above their
heads, and a squall struck the boat aloft, bending her over till she
half filled with water, throwing at the same time the young girl from
her place to the lee-side of the boat.

Lifting her up, Calvert placed her on the seat, while he supported her
with one arm, and with the other hand grasped the tiller.

"Is there danger?" whispered she faintly.

"No, dearest, none. I'll bale out the water when the wind lulls a
little. Sit close up here, and all will be well."

The boat, however, deeply laden, no longer rose over the waves, but
dipped her bow and took in more water at every plunge.

"Tell me this hand is mine, my own dearest Florence--mine for ever, and
see how it will nerve my arm. I am powerless if I am hopeless. Tell me
that I have something to live for, and I live."

"Oh, Harry, is it when my heart is dying with fear that you ask me this?
Is it generous--is it fair? There! the sail is gone! the ropes are torn
across."

"It is only the jib, darling, and we shall be better without it. Speak,
Florence! say it is my own wife I am saving--not the bride of that
man, who, if he were here, would be at your feet in craven terror this
instant."

"There goes the mast!"

At the word the spar snapped close to the thwart and fell over the side,
carrying the sail with it. The boat now lay with one gunwale completely
under water, helpless