As soon as our chairs were arranged on deck and we had dropped into them I felt the old weakness coming on. I could not endure such a strain without showing evidence that I had not yet wholly recovered my form. I asked a steward who happened to pass, to get me a brandy-and-soda. "Close your eyes and try to sleep," said my companion, soothingly, as to a sick child. "You have been overdoing for the last hour." I took her hand and tried to obey her. That dear little hand on which I would one day put the symbol of a love to last through eternity! CHAPTER XVII. A STRUGGLE ON THE BALCONY. It was something to be free at last from Wesson. While I had nothing definite that I could bring against the man, he was in my way. I wanted to be alone with Marjorie. Not literally alone, for wherever we went there were people near by, of course; but alone as far as any one who had ever known us was concerned. As we approached St. Croix, my mercurial spirits began to rise again. When we were once more on shore, and domiciled in the second class hostelry to which we were shown, I could have danced with glee. I could hardly refrain from giving vent to my feelings in a yell that would no doubt have astonished the quiet town as if a cannon had been discharged. All through this part of the world the native population speak in tones so low that a foreigner has to listen intently to know what is being said. It is charming after you get used to it; one wonders how Northerners got into a habit of screaming when discussing the common events of the day. A negro or colored person (colored is only used here for people of mixed race) will address another a hundred feet away in as low a tone as the ordinary American would use at as many inches. I got partially into the same habit before I left the Islands. I only wish I had retained it and could persuade my friends to do likewise. "What is there to do here?" asked Marjorie, as we sat in the evening on the balcony that projected from the house. "Nothing whatever," I replied. "Unless it be to make love, and that, you will remember, is forbidden by our agreement." She bit her lips, acted as if she were going to say something, and suppressed it, whatever it was. "If you wish the stipulation removed," I continued, gaily, "there is no better opportunity than this. I believe I could make love, after my long abstinence, in a way that would do me credit." She turned and surveyed my face for some seconds. "In the same way you have often made love before, I presume," she said, finally; "and with the same degree of sincerity." "No," I said, growing sober. "I have never loved a woman till recently. The others were idle fancies. They lasted, on the average, a week, while this--" "Might last a month?" she interrupted. "Or an eternity."