There was some bitterness in this expression of his thought. Although he had no wish to marry Lorna (or so he almost hourly told himself) Ralph Endicott felt a certain proprietorship in the girl because of their years of intimacy. Had she been his sister he believed he would have felt the same. When Degger learned that Lorna would have no dowry, he would leave her flat. He was not a fellow to really fall in love with any girl. He was too much in love with himself, was Conny Degger. Ralph looked around again. The man was recovering, and Lorna had drawn away from him. She was saturated as well as Degger, and Ralph saw now that she shook with the cold. "Come here, Lorna, and hold the wheel. Just as she is. There! I’ll get you something to put on." Ralph drew out his keys and unlocked the cabin door. He found a heavy pilot-cloth coat and made the girl put it on. "If Degger wants anything let him look around for it," Ralph said, not altogether graciously. Lorna flashed him an inquiring glance from under her wet curls. Was it possible that he was showing jealousy of Conny Degger? In spite of their perilous position, she was amused by this suggestion. That they were by no means out of danger was evident. The sea was running high, the wind still blew, and driving rain flattened the tops of the waves and beat upon the voyagers on the _Fenique_ most viciously. The motor-boat was still running before the gale. Seaworthy as she was, Ralph did not dare put back for the harbor’s mouth. Lower Trillion was the nearest port they could hope to make in safety. It was too stuffy and uncomfortable in the low cabin to attract the girl. Besides, one felt safer outside with the seas running as they were. She looked at Conny Degger’s face again. Its expression declared so plainly his panic that she turned her gaze away quickly. Never again, Lorna told herself, would she be able to look at that young man without remembering his cowardice. Ralph however did not understand this. He had mistaken the natural pity the girl showed Degger for a much more tender feeling. Endicott had no suspicion that Lorna had been playing Degger all the time for the express purpose of making Ralph himself feel slighted. It wickedly delighted the girl to feel that she was making her old chum jealous. This possibility Ralph would not have admitted in any case. Professor Henry Endicott and the other members of his family were constantly hinting at a contract between Ralph and Lorna. Of late more than a little had been said to him regarding the girl’s association with this Degger. Why did Ralph not put a stop to it, they inquired.