, and beneath it lurked a biting cynical
sting, as of the lash of a whip.--Not altogether could his glance
refrain from that royally moulded form opposite him, and meeting the
tender, wistful appeal of those clear hazel eyes, there shot from his
own a flash as of contempt too deep even for resentment. Thus did he
arm, fence himself against his own weakness.

The dinner was over at last, and several of the ladies were already
leaving the saloon. Mona rose.

"I think I will go on deck for a little," she said. "Is this delicious
smooth weather going to continue, Captain Cheyne? I am a most wretched
sailor."

The captain responded gallantly that he devoutly trusted it would, and
she left them. And now that her presence was withdrawn, it seemed to
Roden that a blank had fallen. Yet he had but to ascend the companion
stairs. It seemed to him that her very announcement embodied an
invitation. Still he remained as firmly fixed in his seat as though
nailed there. And nailed there he was--by the long, jagged, rusty, and
passingly strong iron of an unbending pride. She had turned from him
once; was he to go begging to her feet now? No--no. A thousand times,
no.

"Nice girl, isn't she?" said Cheyne, reseating himself and refilling
Roden's glass. "Fine-looking girl, too."

"She seems alone. Is she under your charge?"

"Not exactly that. She came on board at Port Elizabeth, and I made them
put her place next me here at the table. When I got your letter saying
you were going to join us at Cape Town, I moved those other people a
place up. At any rate, we'll have a snug corner for the voyage, eh?"

Another surprise was in store for Roden. A group of male passengers who
had occupied places at the far end of the saloon was passing them on the
way out. Before he could reply his glance was attracted by the face of
one of these. It was that of Lambert.

Their glances met. Far less under the control of his feelings than the
other the young surgeon gave a violent start, and a half-uttered
exclamation escaped him as he met the indifferent, contemptuous gaze of
the man whom he had injured. But quickly recovering himself, he passed
out with the others.

Lambert, of all people in the world! What on earth was the fellow doing
here on board? Oh, the reason was not far to seek, he thought, in
derisive pity for his own weakness, with which during the last hour he
had been so exhaustively battling. And yet things did