Around her were several steamer chairs, just as the gallant trio had left them when they made their hasty escape. Roderic's eyes were glued on the girl. She had one hand up to her head--her rounded cheek was poised upon the forefinger, and in the ravished eyes of this enthusiastic adorer she made the most charming spectacle on earth. He drew near, endeavoring to calm the tumultuous throbbing of his heart. Heaven was kind to allow him such an opportunity, so much more than he had expected or even hoped for in his wildest fancies. Now he stood behind her--not more than three feet separated them. It was a moment of intense suspense, since Roderic hardly knew how he should make his presence known without alarming the girl, and besides, wished to become entirely calm ere trusting himself to speak. She evidently heard the slight movement he made--at least she seemed to be aware of his presence, for while she did not move she presently spoke. "Well, you have returned?" No answer. "I said you had evidently come back, sir." "Yes," replied Roderic, weakly. "I don't understand why you should," she said, a little scornfully. Roderic hardly knew himself, save that somehow for the life of him he could not help it--there was an attraction in her presence that it was utterly useless to resist. "Nor I," he muttered in reply. "Indeed, that is singular. I am sure I can spare your presence when there is a far greater attraction in the captain's chart room. Pray, do not deprive yourself of such enchanting society because I shall be left alone. I have quite consoling company in my thoughts of those far away. Leave me, therefore, I beg." Then it dawned upon the benighted man that this little witch had been addressing him under the positive belief that it was one of the gentlemen who had made such a mad bolt for the cabin. Her words too gave him a delicious satisfaction--could she refer to him especially when she thus spoke of those to whom her mind wandered with pleasure--those who were supposed to be separated by many leagues of water? At any rate he hugged the sweet delusion to his heart--these lovers are voraciously selfish. "Why don't you say something--have you lost your tongue, _amigo_?" she demanded. He still hesitated, and overcome by the temptation of her dear presence put out a trembling hand and touched her raven hair. At this the girl suddenly roused herself and as she turned her head quickly Roderic found himself looking into those wonderful orbs that long ago had so riddled his wretched heart that it might have done duty as a housewife's sieve. They were filled with astonishment at first, then indignation and gathering anger, for this girl of the South had a temper. "How _dare_ you touch me?"