His confidence reassured her. He never appeared to her so strong, so self-reliant and calm as at that moment of her incipient fear. Amongst his engines Frank always wore a masterful air, for he had that instinct for machinery peculiarly American, and was competent almost to the point of genius. "Besides, I wanted to ask you a question," said Florence. "I had to ask it. I couldn't sleep without asking it, Frank." "I would have come, if you had sent for me," he said. "I couldn't wait for that," she returned. "I knew it might be hard for you to leave--or impossible." "What is it, Florence?" he asked. The name slipped out in spite of him. She looked at him strangely, her lustrous eyes wide open and bright with her unsaid thoughts. "Are you very fond of her, Frank?" she asked. "Her? Who?" he exclaimed. "You don't mean Cassie Derwent?" "Yes," she said. "Of course I'm fond of her," he said. "More than you are of me, Frank?" she persisted. "Oh, it isn't the same sort of thing, Florence," he said. "I never even thought of comparing you and her together. Surely you know that? Surely you understand that?" "You used to--to love me once, Frank," she said, with a stifled sob. "Has she made it any less? Has she robbed me, Frank? Have I lost you without knowing it?" "No," he said, "no, a thousand times, no!" "Tell me that you love me, Frank," she burst out. "Tell me, tell me!" Then, as he did not answer, she went on passionately: "That's why I went to sea, Frank. I was mad with jealousy. I couldn't give you up to her. I couldn't let her have you!" She pressed closer against him, and tiptoeing so as to raise her mouth to his ear, she whispered: "I always liked you better than anybody else in the world, Frank. I love you! I love you!" For the moment he could not realise his own good fortune. He could do nothing but look into her eyes. It was her reproach for years afterwards that she had to kiss him first. "I suppose it had to come, Frank," she said. "I fought all I could, but it didn't seem any use!" "It was inevitable," he returned solemnly. "God made you for me, and me for you!" "Amen," she said, and in an ecstasy of abandonment whispered again: "I love you, Frank. I love you!" FFRENCHES FIRST