‘But you’ve lost your coat, I hear,’ said Miss Vere; ‘we must get you the very best that’s made, by general subscription, Mr Blythe.’ ‘And, oh, Jack, you’ve hurt your hand!’ cried Alice Leyton plaintively, ‘and your hair is burnt right off to the roots, in front. Won’t you do anything for yourself, when you have done so much for us?’ ‘Belay that, Alice,’ replied the young sailor laughingly. ‘You know how I hate fuss of all sort. And as for my hand, it is only a little scorched, and will be all right to-morrow. I’ve had it twice as sore after handling the ropes, I can tell you.’ ‘Ah, you never _would_ let any one thank you, whatever you did for them,’ said Alice, with a sigh. But there she made a mistake. There were _some_ thanks that Vernon Blythe accepted greedily, and treasured the remembrance of in his heart of hearts. As the night fell, and he sought out Iris Harland on the quarter-deck, her hand grasped his with a feverish pressure. ‘We have heard it _all_,’ she said, with a warm, grateful light in the eyes she bent on him; ‘Maggie and I were in the cabin when the alarm broke out, and at first I was very much frightened. But the steward or some one called out that it was Mr Blythe’s watch, and he had gone to see what it was all about. And then somehow, I felt quite satisfied. It seemed as if it _must_ be all right, if _you_ were there.’ ‘Is that _really_ the case, Iris? Was the sense of my presence and protection such a comfort to you as all that?’ ‘Indeed it was. I have only told you the truth. You are so brave and strong, and you seem so fearless yourself, that you inspire others with courage.’ ‘It makes me very happy to hear you say so. Yet I was not quite so fearless as you give me credit for, Iris. When I first perceived the possibility of danger, the thought of _one_ person on board this vessel came into my mind, and almost paralysed me, until the same thought nerved my arm, and made me feel as if I could dare and do anything for her sake.’ ‘That was the young lady you are engaged to, Mr Blythe, I suppose. You see, we hear all the chatter in the second cabin. Maggie has pointed her out to me--Miss Leyton, I mean--and I think she is very pretty. And, Mr Blythe,’ continued Iris, in a sweet, faltering voice, ‘I _do_ hope you will be happy with her. I--I--don’t think marriage is a very happy condition myself, but there are always exceptions, and I shall pray yours may be one of them.’ ‘I think it will, if it ever comes to pass. But that will not be with Alice Leyton, Iris. Maggie and you are both mistaken. I am not engaged to her, or any woman. In fact, I believe she is on the point of being engaged to Captain Lovell. ‘Indeed! Then it was not _she_ who inspired your deed of daring?’