self-respect!"

Paul looked at her deliberately, taking in every little detail of her
appearance, his eyes full of admiration. Then he added, with an air of
finality, "But _I_ respect you!"

She softened, and laid her hand on his arm. Paul instantly took
possession of it.

"Do you really?" she asked, searching his face, almost wistfully. "A
girl who will do ...what I am doing to-night!"

"But what _are_ you doing, Opal?" he asked in the most innocent
surprise. "Merely keeping a wakeful man company beneath the stars!"

"Is that ...all?"

"All ..._now!_"

They stood silently for a minute, hand still in hand, looking far out
over the moonlit waters, each conscious of the trend of the other's
thoughts--the beating of the other's heart. The deck was deserted by all
save their two selves--they two alone in the big starlit universe. At
last she spoke.

"This is interesting, isn't it?"

"Of course!--holding your hand!"

She snatched it from him. "I forgot you had it," she said.

"Forget again!"

"No, I won't!... Is it always interesting?... holding a girl's hand?"

"It depends upon the girl, I suppose! I was enjoying it immensely just
then."

He took her hand again.

And again that perilously sweet silence fell between them.

At last, "Promise me, Paul!" she said.

"I will--what is it?"

"Promise me to forget anything I may say or do to-night ... not to think
hard of me, however rashly I may act! I'm not accountable, really! I'm
liable to say ...anything! I feel it in my blood!"

"I understand, Opal! See! the winds are boisterous and unruly enough.
You may be as rash and reckless as you will!"

Suddenly the wind blew her against his breast. The perfume of her hair,
and all the delicious nearness of her, intoxicated him. He laughed a
soft, caressing little lover-laugh, and raising her face to his, kissed
her lips easily, naturally, as though he had the right. She struggled,
helplessly, as he held her closely to him, and would not let her go.

"You are a--" She bit her lip, and choked back the offensive word.

"A--what? Say it, Opal!"

"A--a--_brute_! There! let me go!"

But he only held her closer and laughed again softly, till she
whispered, "I didn't--quite--_mean_ that, you know!"

"Of course you didn't!"

She drew away from him and pointed her finger at him accusingly, her
eyes full of reproof.

"But--you _said_ you wouldn't! You promised!"

"Wouldn't what?"

"Wouldn't do--what yo