‘You _can_ repay me amply,’ said Jack, ‘and that is by being open with me, Alice. I know that you have something on your mind which you are unwilling to confide to me. This is not as it should be. Friends in our position should trust each other _all in all or not at all_. If you consider that you owe me any return for your sister’s safety, give it me in your confidence.’ ‘Oh, Jack! how _shall_ I tell you?’ sobbed Alice. ‘You are so sweet and good. I admire and I love you so much--and yet--and yet--’ ‘Shall I try and help you, dear? When baby found herself in my arms, she whimpered “_Brother Jack picked me up!_” I think _that_ is the name you would like to call me by, as well as baby. I think you want me to be “_Brother Jack_” to you.’ ‘Oh, Vernon! have you _guessed_?’ cried Alice, turning her crimson face away from him. ‘That you would be quite ready to accept Lovell’s addresses were you only freed from mine? Yes, Alice. I have guessed as much as that. Am I right?’ ‘But won’t it--won’t it _hurt_ you?’ she whispered. ‘Not very much. My vanity may suffer a little, but that is wholesome discipline. And I have feared, too, for some time past, that we were not _quite_ suited to each other; so you see it will be for the best after all. Only, Alice, we must always be friends,’ he continued, as he held out his hand. ‘Oh, yes, Jack--_dear_ Jack!’ she answered, with her bright eyes swimming in tears; ‘and sometimes I think--sometimes I almost wish--’ ‘Think and wish nothing, Alice, except what concerns yourself and Captain Lovell,’ interposed Jack, who had a wholesome horror of a sentimental scene in public, and was somewhat afraid also of what she might be going to say. ‘He seems a very good sort of fellow to me, and I have no doubt he will make you happy. And you may rely on my good wishes, not only for the wedding, but all your future life. And now, good-bye, dear, for I have business below. Give my love to your mother, and tell her how thankful I am for baby’s safety, and how glad that both your hearts are set at rest.’ He waved his hand gaily to her as he disappeared, and Alice believed he was merely acting a part to hide his disappointment. But (had she known it) his heart was far lighter than his action. A load had been lifted off it. He felt--for the first time--that he was free (in all honour) to woo and win Iris Hetherley! [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER VIII. CONFIDENCES. Many landsmen may wonder why vessels bound south go so far to the westward, instead of making a direct course through the tropics. It is because the trades are so much stronger on the other side that they adopt the longer route, in order to make a quicker passage. For the same reason, the _Pandora_, after skirting the coast of Brazil, sailed as far south as fifty-two degrees, that is, six hundred miles to the south of the Cape of Good Hope, where the westerly breezes could be depended on.