"Most discreet," Jocelyn declared. "As a matter of fact," he went on, "I have scarcely thought it worth while to mention it to you, because I knew exactly the sort of answer you would make to any too curious questions, but there is a reason, and a very serious reason, why my friend Phillips wishes to avoid so far as possible all manner of notice and questions." "You call him your friend Phillips," she remarked, "yet you don't seem to have been near him since we started." "Nor do I intend to," he replied. "That is the other point concerning which I wish to speak to you. You may think it very extraordinary, and I offer no explanation, but I do not wish it known to--say, Mr. Crawshay, or any other casual enquirer, that I have any acquaintance with or interest in Phillips." "The subject is dismissed," she promised lightly. "I am not in the least an inquisitive person. I understand perfectly, and my lips are sealed." His little smile of thanks momentarily transformed his expression. Her eyes became softer as they met his. "Now please walk with me for a little time," she begged, "and let us leave off talking of these grizzly subjects. You've really taken very little notice of me so far, and I have been rather looking forward to the voyage. You have traveled so much that I am quite sure you could be a most interesting companion if you wished to be." He obeyed at once, falling easily into step with her, and talking lightly enough about the voyage, their fellow passengers, and other trifling subjects. Her occasional attempts to lead the conversation into more serious channels, even to the subject of his travels, he avoided, however, with a curious persistency. Once she stopped short and forced him to look at her. "Mr. Jocelyn Thew," she complained, "tell me why you persist in treating me like a child?" Then for the first time his tone became graver. "I want to treat you and think of you," he said, "in the only way that is possible for me." "Explain, please," she begged. He led her again to the side of the ship. The sea had freshened, and the spray flew past them like salt diamonds. "Since it has pleased you to refer to the subject, Miss Beverley," he said seriously, "I will explain so far as I am able. I suppose that I have committed nearly every one of the crimes which our abbreviated dictionary of modern life enumerates. If the truth were known about me, and I were judged by certain prevailing laws, not only my reputation but my life might be in serious danger. But there is one crime which I have not committed and which I do not intend to commit, one pain which I have avoided all my life myself, and avoided inflicting upon others. I think you must know what I refer to." "I can assure you that I do not," she told him frankly. "In any case I hate ambiguity. Do please tell me exactly what you mean." "I was referring to my attitude towards your sex," he replied. There was a faint twinkle in her eyes.