"Yes, yes, I remember everything,--everything about you, that is. I shut my eyes and feel the soft touch of your cool hand on my fevered head again, as when I had that bullet in my breast. Oh, it thrills me, maddens me! I 'd be wounded so again, could I but feel those hands once more-- Listen to me, you must listen! It cannot hurt you to hear me, and I am sure one of the others will be back in a moment; you are never alone," he said, detaining her almost forcibly. "I love you; you must know that I do. What is that land, or any land, beside my love? You are my country! I can give you lands, title, rank, luxury-- Be pitiful to me, Mistress Katharine. What can I do or say or promise? You shall grace the court of the king, and be at the same time queen of my heart," he went on impetuously, his soul in his eager whisper. She turned and walked over to the lee rail, whither he followed her. "I 'd rather be in that land off yonder than be the king himself. I hate the king, and I could not love the enemy of my country! No, no," she replied, "it cannot be--it can never be!" "Pshaw! Your country,--that's not the reason; you love him still," he went on jealously, "that sailor." "Yes, 't is true; I love a sailor--you are not he." "But he is dead! You left him lying there on the floor in the hall, you remember, and since then have heard nothing. He is surely dead." "It is cruel of you to say it," she went on relentlessly, "but I shall love his memory then. No, 't is useless--I respect you, admire you, am grateful to you, but my heart is there!" and she pointed away again. "Won't you let me try to win you?" he persisted. "Don't say me nay altogether, give me some hope. If he be dead, let me have a chance. Oh, Katharine Wilton, I would give up anything for--" A midshipman touched him on the arm. "Captain wants to see first lieutenant, sir!" he said with a wooden, impassive face, saluting the while. With a smothered expression of rage, Desborough sprang across the deck,--for such a summons is not to be disregarded for an instant; even love gives way to the captain, on shipboard at least. The little midshipman was a great favorite with Katharine, and, grateful for the interruption, she accordingly laid her hand lightly and affectionately on the shoulder of the Honorable Giles Montagu, aged thirteen, one of the youngest and smallest middies in the ship; but he stood very straight and rigid, the personification of dignity, and endeavored to look very manly indeed. "Thank you, Mr. Montagu," she said, somewhat to his surprise. "Don't mention it, nothing at all, madam--orders! Got to obey orders, you know." Katharine laughed. "You dear sweet child!" she said, and suddenly stooped and kissed him. The Honorable Giles turned pale, then flushed violently and burst into unmanly tears. "Why, what is it? Don't you like to have me kiss you?" she said, amazed.