About to reply, she became once more aware she was still very dizzy from the fall on the sand; the shapely figure swayed and she put out her hand with a gesture of helplessness. At the same time, the man reached forward quickly and caught her. A moment was she conscious of a firm grasp; a dark, anxious gaze bent upon her; then, slid gently back to the stone seat. A brief interval, and gradually she began to see again more distinctly--a man's face, not far from hers; a face that drew back as her own look cleared. At a respectful distance he now stood, his bearing at once erect and buoyant, and more curiously she regarded him. A distinct type, here pride and intelligence stamped themselves strongly on the dark, handsome features; courage and daring were written on the bold, self-reliant brow. And with this realization of something distinctive, compelling, in his personality, came another. "I have seen you--spoken with you before! On the beach--the night of the dance!" The young man turned. "Your Ladyship so far honored me--as to dance with me!" he said, in his eyes a touch of that brightness that had caused her to regard him imperiously, as he had swung her to the measure of the music, on the occasion in question. "Started to!" She corrected him, straightening suddenly at the recollection of that evening, when humility and modesty were virtues conspicuously wanting in his demeanor. "Your Ladyship is right," he said quietly. "An alarm from the Mount interrupted." She glanced at him quickly. His eyes met hers with a look of unconcern. "Are you--a fisherman?" she asked abruptly. "On occasions." "And when you are not one--what are you then?" "At times--a hunter." "Ah!" Her eye lingered on something bright on the ledge beneath the window. "And that is the reason you have--pistols?" "Exactly, my Lady!" She continued to regard the weapons, of finest workmanship, inlaid with a metal that gleamed dully, like gold, in the light from the fire. His glance followed hers; she was about to speak, when quickly he interrupted. "Has your Ladyship thought how she is going to get back to the Mount?" My lady's questioning, along the line of personal inquiry, ceased; the Governor's daughter looked a little blank. "No--that is, haven't you a boat?" "Not here." "Then you walked over?" He neither affirmed, nor denied. "And the tide will not be out for hours!" Her look showed consternation; she glanced toward the opening in the wall. "Isn't it becoming dark now?" "Yes, my Lady." "Of course, it was almost sundown when-- But I must return at once! Don't you understand?" He regarded her silently; the beautiful, impatient eyes; the slim, white fingers that tapped restlessly, one against another. "I will do what I can!" he said at last slowly. "But what?" she demanded. "What can you do?" He did not answer; my lady made a gesture. "How ridiculous! A prisoner on an island!" "There may be a way," he began.