"It was a premonition," he began, but she raised a little white hand, flashing with rings, to his lips, and he was silent. "Please don't think it necessary to talk nonsense to me all the time," she begged. "Come! I am tired--I want to sit down. Don't you want to take my chair down by the side of the boat there? I like to watch the lights on the water, and you may talk to me--if you like." "Your husband," he remarked a moment or two later, as he arranged her cushions, "does not care for the evening air?" "It is sufficient for him," she answered quietly, "that I prefer it. He will not leave the smoking-room until the lights are put out." "In an ordinary way," he remarked, "that must be dull for you." "In an ordinary way, and every way," she answered in a low tone, "I am always dull. But, after all, I must not weary a stranger with my woes. Tell me about yourself, Mr. Sabin. Are you going to America on pleasure, or have you business there?" A faint smile flickered across Mr. Sabin's face. He watched the white ash trembling upon his cigar for a moment before he spoke. "I can scarcely be said to be going to America on pleasure," he answered, "nor have I any business there. Let us agree that I am going because it is the one country in the world of any importance which I have never visited." "You have been a great traveller, then," she murmured, looking up at him with innocent, wide-open eyes. "You look as though you have been everywhere. Won't you tell me about some of the odd places you have visited?" "With pleasure," he answered; "but first won't you gratify a natural and very specific curiosity of mine? I am going to a country which I have never visited before. Tell me a little about it. Let us talk about America." She stole a sudden, swift glance at her questioner. No, he did not appear to be watching her. His eyes were fixed idly upon the sheet of phosphorescent light which glittered in the steamer's track. Nevertheless, she was a little uneasy. "America," she said, after a moment's pause, "is the one country I detest. We are only there very seldom--when Mr. Watson's business demands it. You could not seek for information from any one worse informed than I am." "How strange!" he said softly. "You are the first unpatriotic American I have ever met." "You should be thankful," she remarked, "that I am an exception. Isn't it pleasant to meet people who are different from other people?" "In the present case it is delightful!" "I wonder," she said reflectively, "in which school you studied my sex, and from what particular woman you learned the art of making those little speeches?" "I can assure you that I am a novice," he declared. "Then you have a wonderful future before you. You will make a courtier, Mr. Sabin." "I shall be happy to be the humblest of attendants in the court where you are queen." "Such proficiency," she murmured, "is the hall mark of insincerity. You are not a man to be trusted, Mr. Sabin." "Try me," he begged.