looking round from me to the woods, the river, and back to the ship and me again, so pale and terrified-like, that I could have cursed myself for my stupidity. "'Good heaven, Miss Hyde!' said I, lowering my voice, 'I do believe you take _me_ for one of the stranger's crew?' 'No--no!' faltered Violet; 'I--I--but the suspicions I heard to-day--you--you frightened me, sir!' 'Surely,' said I, ready to kneel at her feet, '_you_ must have known the truth of the matter, Miss Hyde. Why, here have I come afloat at a day's warning, bound for the East Indies--and all because I saw _you_ that evening at the garden-door! Oh, for kindness' sake, Miss Hyde, pardon my boldness--but I couldn't let slip the only chance of telling you--it took me unawares, in fact! I'm not such a fool as to fancy that such a fellow as I can have the least hope in the world; but--but----' She stood quite still, not uttering a word, with her face turned from me, but I could notice the colour was all come back to her cheek, and more--and saw the shining falls of her loose hair heaving on the bosom of her white muslin dress, as it rose and fell gently. I leant over the bulwarks and ventured to look half-round; when, oh heavens! how did my heart quicken in me to see the least bit of a smile come over her lips, though her eyes were dropped toward the gun close by. I can't say what I might have been bold enough to do, in the whirl of the moment--when suddenly she started, drew the shawl up from her shoulders again, and seemed to recollect the whole case of the boats with a shudder, as she glanced wildly again up the reach astern of us, bringing me to myself, too, at the same time; and I stood looking with her, intent to mark the first turn of the tide. CHAPTER XVIII