"Pish!" he exclaimed, contemptuously. "You do not believe me, dear," she continued, with the tears streaming down her cheeks; "but God is my judge that I speak the truth. Oh, Dutch, Dutch!" she continued, as she saw his face begin to work, "some day you will know all, and your heart will bleed for the agony you have caused me." "Hester," he said, in the same low tone, "I'd give twenty years of my life to have back the same old trust in you, but it is gone, gone for ever." "No," she replied, with a bright look beaming in her face, "it is not: the truth is coming--coming soon, and when it does, Dutch, you will come back to my heart with the knowledge that your little wife has forgiven you your injustice from the first, that she loves you more dearly than ever." "You forgive me?" he said bitterly. "Yes, the wrong you have done me, Dutch. You have nothing to forgive me but for keeping my secret for your sake." There was such an air of candour and truth in her countenance that had they been alone he would have clutched her to his breast, but he knew that they were watched by many eyes, and restraining himself he said quietly: "It is enough now. Tell me this--will you--when I return--" "You're a-going to have on that rope, ain't you, Mr Dutch?" said Rasp, interrupting them. "Yes. You can get it ready," replied Dutch. "God bless you for that," whispered Hester earnestly. "Now, go back," he said quietly; "there must be no scene here. You need not be afraid for me; I shall incur no risks now, in the hope that, as you say, you can make all clear between us. You will explain all-- everything to me when I come up." With a wild look of delight she was about to say yes, when she quailed and shrank away, for at a little distance behind Dutch she saw Laure apparently busy arranging the rope there around the deck, but evidently hearing all that was said. "You promise?" said Dutch sternly. "Spare me, oh, my darling," she moaned. "I dare not--oh I dare not speak." "What," he whispered, "is this your truth?" "It is for your sake," she moaned, "for your sake," and with drooping head she crept away. "Come, come, little woman," said Mr Parkley, taking her hand; "be firm, be firm; he shall not come to harm." "Not he, mum, while old Tom Rasp is alive to help," growled the old fellow. "Perhaps you'd better go below, my dear," said Mr Parkley. "No," said Hester firmly, and drawing herself up; "I shall stay." "Then you shall, my dear; but," he added, with a smile, "woman for ever! You've won the day: he's going to have the life-rope." The old doubts, which had been growing fainter and which would, no doubt, have been entirely swept away by an explanation, came back more strongly again at Hester's refusal, and with a feeling of rage and bitterness Dutch raised the helmet, placed it upon his head, and signed to old Rasp to come and screw it on.