When Miss Temple came out of her berth there was a momentary touch of bashfulness and even of confusion in her manner; then a laughing expression flashed into her eye. As we repaired to the cabin we exchanged some commonplaces about the weather. She warmed up a little when I spoke of the noble breeze and of the splendid pace of the barque, and assured her that the most distant port in the world could never be far off to people aboard such a clipper keel as this. The captain joined us at the breakfast table. I thought he looked unusually haggard and pale, appearing as a man might after a long spell of bitter mental conflict. His eyes seemed preternaturally large, and of a duller and deader black than my recollection found common in them. He seldom spoke but to answer the idle conversational questions one or the other of us put to him. I observed that he drank thirstily and ate but little, and that he would occasionally rest his forehead upon his hand as though to soothe a pain there. Yet lustreless as was his gaze, it was singularly eager and devouring in its steadfastness. He had been on deck since four o’clock, he told us, and had not closed his eyes during the previous four hours of his watch below. ‘I get but little sleep now,’ said he with a long trembling sigh. ‘That schooner astern this morning,’ said I, ‘looked as if she were bound somewhere Rio way.’ He responded with a dull nod of indifference. ‘Were you ever at Rio, Captain Braine?’ asked Miss Temple. ‘No, mem.’ ‘I suppose I shall easily find a ship there to carry me home?’ said she. He stared at her and then at me; and then said, looking at her again, ‘Don’t you mean to go along with him?’ indicating me with a sideways jerk of the head. Her eyes sought mine for counsel. ‘It will be a question for you and me to discuss, captain,’ said I. ‘With all due deference to Miss Temple, it may be you will come to think that the presence of a lady could but encumber us in such a job as we have in hand.’ ‘Ay, but she has my secret!’ said he swiftly and warmly. ‘Your secret is mine, and my interests are hers—you know that!’ I exclaimed. ‘What are the relations between you?’ he asked. A blush overspread Miss Temple’s face and her eyes fell. ‘Ask me that question presently, captain,’ said I, laughing. He continued to stare slowly at one or the other of us, but remained silent. Wilkins entered with a pot of coffee. I furtively but attentively surveyed his expressionless veal-like countenance; but I might as well have explored the sole of his foot for hints of what was passing in his mind. He came and went quickly. Indeed, his practice of waiting consisted merely in placing our meals upon the table, and then lingering out upon the quarter-deck within hearing of the captain’s voice if he was wanted. Presently the skipper rose. ‘I’ve made out that document consarning shares,’ said he; ‘perhaps you might now come with me and con-coct the letter you want me to sign.’