de, looked at Philip with an intense
sadness that was seemingly lost on him. His doubts concerning the
cigar had grown into a certainty. He cast it into the sea.

"I really mean what I say," she continued in a low voice that vibrated
with emotion, for her obvious distress was enhanced by his evident
belief that she was jesting. "I have given my word--written
it--entered into a most solemn obligation. Somehow, the prospect of
reaching a civilized place to-morrow induces a more ordered state of
mind than has been possible since--since the _Andromeda_ was lost."

"Who is he?" demanded Hozier darkly. "Coke is married. So is Watts.
Dom Corria has other fish to fry than to dream of committing bigamy.
Of course, I am well aware that you have been flirting outrageously
with San Benavides----"

"Please don't make my duty harder for me," pleaded Iris. "Before I met
you, before we spoke to each other that first day at Liverpool, I had
promised to marry Mr. Bulmer, an old friend of my uncle's----"

"Oh,--he? . . . I am sorry for Mr. Bulmer, but it can't be done,"
interrupted Hozier.

"Philip, you do not understand. I--I cared for nobody then . . . and
my uncle said he was in danger of bankruptcy . . . and Mr. Bulmer
undertook to help him if I would consent. . . ."

"Yes," agreed Philip, with an air of pleasant detachment, "I see. You
are in a first-rate fix. I was always prepared for that. Coke told me
about Bulmer--warned me off, so to speak. I forgot his claims at odd
times, just for a minute or so, but he is a real bugbear--a sort of
matrimonial bogey-man. If all goes well, and we enter Pernambuco
without being fired at, you will be handed over to the British Consul,
and he will send a rousing telegram about you to England. Bulmer, of
course, will cause a rare stir at home. Who wouldn't? No wonder you
are scared! It seems to me that there is only one safe line of action
left open."

Iris did not respond to his raillery. She was despondent, nervous,
uncertain of her own strength, afraid of the hurricane of publicity
that would shortly swoop down on her.

"I wish you would realize how I feel in this matter," she said, with a
persistence that was at least creditable to her honesty of purpose. "A
woman's word should be held as sacred as a man's, Philip."

He turned and met her eyes. There was a tender smile on his lips.

"So you really believe you will be compelled to marry Mr. Bulmer?" he
cried.