‘Not exactly,’ she repeated, growing more confused. ‘Do tell me the truth, then! You don’t know how much it means to me.’ ‘We--that is, Mr Blythe and I--have talked of such a thing, but mother doesn’t think that father will ever give his consent to it.’ ‘And do you wish him to do so, Miss Leyton? Does your happiness depend on it?’ ‘I am not quite sure.’ ‘But if you cared for Blythe, you _would_ be quite sure. You could have no doubt upon the subject.’ ‘He is fond of me,’ said Alice. ‘There is nothing wonderful in that. Plenty of people must be fond of you. The question is, _Are you fond of him?_’ ‘I don’t think you should ask me such a question, Captain Lovell.’ ‘Forgive me if I have said too much. I would not offend you for the world. But--but--I am very unhappy about it!’ ‘So am I,’ whispered Alice. ‘If that is the case,’ exclaimed the captain, seizing her hand, ‘come to some understanding about it at once! Speak to Mrs Leyton and Mr Blythe on the subject, and let me know the worst. For this suspense is intolerable, Alice: it is killing me by inches.’ ‘Hush!’ said Alice quickly, withdrawing her hand; ‘be quiet, for goodness’ sake, Captain Lovell. Here is Jack.’ And indeed at that very moment Vernon Blythe appeared round the wheel-house, whistling as he went. He smiled pleasantly as he came in sight of Alice, and took no notice whatever of her crimson face and flurried manner. He nodded to Captain Lovell, who was confusedly striking a fusee on the heel of his boot, in order to light a cigar, and remarking, ‘Lucky fellow, to be able to smoke when you choose. I wish my time had come,’ turned away as light-heartedly as if it had been some other man’s betrothed whom he had detected in a flirtation behind the wheel-house. ‘Did he see us, do you think?’ asked Alice fearfully of her companion, as Jack disappeared. ‘Well, I really think he must have _seen_ us,’ replied the captain deliberately, ‘for we are both full size, you know! But he appeared very pleasant about it.’ ‘Oh, dear!’ exclaimed Alice, ‘I hope he did _not_ see us.’ ‘You are afraid of him, then?’ remarked Lovell. ‘No, not afraid, only--he would think so badly of me.’ ‘And you wish him to think well of you.’ ‘Oh, I don’t know _what_ I wish,’ cried the girl, in a voice that was very suspicious of tears. The passengers had retreated below. There was no one but themselves on deck, except, indeed, Mr Coffin, whose back was turned to them, and the man at the wheel, who was shut up in his box, and could only look straight before him. ‘Shall I tell you what _I_ wish,’ whispered Captain Lovell, as his arm stole round her waist; ‘_I_ have no doubt upon the matter, Alice.’ ‘No! no! I cannot hear--I do not want to hear!’ exclaimed the girl nervously, as she jumped up from her seat and ran down to the saloon, leaving the captain to finish the flirtation by himself. [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER V. THE GLASS FALLS.