"So I was. I could not have spoken a second word. I experienced intense terror, and that, probably, gave my glance a concentration of which I was unaware and by myself incapable; but I did not suffer it to waver; I could not have moved it, indeed; I kept it on the man while he crept slowly toward me. I shall never forget the horrible sensation. I did not dare permit myself to doubt his conquest; but if I had failed, as I then thought, his approach was like the slow coil of a serpent about me, and it was his glittering eyes that had fixed mine, and not mine his. At my feet, I commanded him, with a gesture, to disarm. He obeyed, and I breathed; and one by one they followed his example. Capua, who was behind me, I sent back with the weapons, and in the morning gave them their choice of returning to town with their hands tied behind their backs, or of going on with me and remaining faithful. They chose the latter, did me good service, and I said nothing about the affair." "That was well. But were you really frightened?" "So I said. I cannot think of it yet without a slight shudder." "Yes, and a rehearsal. Your eyes charge bayonets now. I am not a Sepoy." "Well, you are still angry with me?" "How can I be angry with you?" "How, indeed? So much your senior that you owe me respect, Miss Marguerite. I am quite old enough to be your father." "You are, Sir?" she replied, with surprise. "Why, are you fifty-five years old?" "Is that Mr. Laudersdale's age?" "How did you know Mr. Laudersdale Was my father?" "By an arithmetical process. That is his age?" "Yes; and yours?" "Not exactly. I was thirty-seven last August." "And will be thirty-eight next?" "That is the logical deduction." "I shall give you a birthday-gift when you are just twice my age." "By what courier will you make it reach me?" "Oh, I forgot. But--Mr. Raleigh?" "What is it?" he replied, turning to look at her,--for his eyes had been wandering over the deck. "I thought you would ask me to write to you." "No, that would not be worth while." His face was too grave for her to feel indignation. "Why?" she demanded. "It would give me great pleasure, without doubt. But in a week you will have too many other cares and duties to care for such a burden." "That shows that you do not know me at all. _Vous en avez usé mal avec moi!_" Though Mr. Raleigh still looked at her, he did not reply. She rose and walked away a few steps, coming back. "You are always in the right, and I consequently in the wrong," she said. "How often to-night have I asked pardon? I will not put up with it!" "We shall part in a few hours," he replied; "when you lose your temper, I lose my time." "In a few hours? Then is the danger which you mentioned past?" "I scarcely think so." "Now I am not going to be diverted again. What is this dreadful danger?"