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made themaccording to the version of my good friends in the saloon…
…a scandal to the ship； for though I had taken due note of them； as
will already have been gathered； I had taken really no such
ferocious； or at least such competent； note as Mrs。 Peck。
Nevertheless the probability was that they knew what was thought of
themwhat naturally would beand simply didn't care。 That made our
heroine out rather perverse and even rather shameless； and yet
somehow if these were her leanings I didn't dislike her for them。 I
don't know what strange secret excuses I found for her。 I presently
indeed encountered； on the spot； a need for any I might have at call；
since； just as I was on the point of going below again； after several
restless turns andwithin the limit where smoking was allowedas
many puffs at a cigar as I cared for； I became aware of a couple of
figures settled together behind one of the lifeboats that rested on
the deck。 They were so placed as to be visible only to a person
going close to the rail and peering a little sidewise。 I don't think
I peered； but as I stood a moment beside the rail my eye was
attracted by a dusky object that protruded beyond the boat and that I
saw at a second glance to be the tail of a lady's dress。 I bent
forward an instant； but even then I saw very little more； that
scarcely mattered however； as I easily concluded that the persons
tucked away in so snug a corner were Jasper Nettlepoint and Mr。
Porterfield's intended。 Tucked away was the odious right expression；
and I deplored the fact so betrayed for the pitiful bad taste in it。
I immediately turned away； and the next moment found myself face to
face with our vessel's skipper。 I had already had some conversation
with himhe had been so good as to invite me； as he had invited Mrs。
Nettlepoint and her son and the young lady travelling with them； and
also Mrs。 Peck； to sit at his tableand had observed with pleasure
that his seamanship had the grace； not universal on the Atlantic
liners； of a fine…weather manner。
〃They don't waste much timeyour friends in there；〃 he said； nodding
in the direction in which he had seen me looking。
〃Ah well； they haven't much to lose。〃
〃That's what I mean。 I'm told SHE hasn't。〃
I wanted to say something exculpatory； but scarcely knew what note to
strike。 I could only look vaguely about me at the starry darkness
and the sea that seemed to sleep。 〃Well； with these splendid nights
and this perfect air people are beguiled into late hours。〃
〃Yes； we want a bit of a blow；〃 the Captain said。
I demurred。 〃How much of one？〃
〃Enough to clear the decks！〃
He was after all rather dry and he went about his business。 He had
made me uneasy； and instead of going below I took a few turns more。
The other walkers dropped off pair by pairthey were all mentill
at last I was alone。 Then after a little I quitted the field。
Jasper and his companion were still behind their lifeboat。
Personally I greatly preferred our actual conditions； but as I went
down I found myself vaguely wishing； in the interest of I scarcely
knew what； unless it had been a mere superstitious delicacy； that we
might have half a gale。
Miss Mavis turned out； in sea…phrase； early； for the next morning I
saw her come up only a short time after I had finished my breakfast；
a ceremony over which I contrived not to dawdle。 She was alone and
Jasper Nettlepoint； by a rare accident； was not on deck to help her。
I went to meet hershe was encumbered as usual with her shawl； her
sun…umbrella and a bookand laid my hands on her chair； placing it
near the stern of the ship； where she liked best to be。 But I
proposed to her to walk a little before she sat down； and she took my
arm after I had put her accessories into the chair。 The deck was
clear at that hour and the morning light gay； one had an extravagant
sense of good omens and propitious airs。 I forget what we spoke of
first； but it was because I felt these things pleasantly； and not to
torment my companion nor to test her； that I couldn't help exclaiming
cheerfully after a moment； as I have mentioned having done the first
day： 〃Well； we're getting on； we're getting on！〃
〃Oh yes； I count every hour。〃
〃The last days always go quicker；〃 I said； 〃and the last hours！〃
〃Well； the last hours？〃 she asked； for I had instinctively checked
myself。
〃Oh one's so glad then that it's almost the same as if one had
arrived。 Yet we ought to be grateful when the elements have been so
kind to us；〃 I added。 〃I hope you'll have enjoyed the voyage。〃
She hesitated ever so little。 〃Yes； much more than I expected。〃
〃Did you think it would be very bad？〃
〃Horrible； horrible！〃
The tone of these words was strange； but I hadn't much time to
reflect upon it； for turning round at that moment I saw Jasper
Nettlepoint come toward us。 He was still distant by the expanse of
the white deck； and I couldn't help taking him in from head to foot
as he drew nearer。 I don't know what rendered me on this occasion
particularly sensitive to the impression； but it struck me that I saw
him as I had never seen him before； saw him； thanks to the intense
sea…light； inside and out； in his personal； his moral totality。 It
was a quick； a vivid revelation； if it only lasted a moment it had a
simplifying certifying effect。 He was intrinsically a pleasing
apparition； with his handsome young face and that marked absence of
any drop in his personal arrangements which； more than any one I've
ever seen； he managed to exhibit on shipboard。 He had none of the
appearance of wearing out old clothes that usually prevails there；
but dressed quite straight； as I heard some one say。 This gave him
an assured； almost a triumphant air； as of a young man who would come
best out of any awkwardness。 I expected to feel my companion's hand
loosen itself on my arm； as an indication that now she must go to
him； and I was almost surprised she didn't drop me。 We stopped as we
met and Jasper bade us a friendly good…morning。 Of course the remark
that we had another lovely day was already indicated； and it led him
to exclaim； in the manner of one to whom criticism came easily； 〃Yes；
but with this sort of thing consider what one of the others would
do！〃
〃One of the other ships？〃
〃We should be there now； or at any rate tomorrow。〃
〃Well then I'm glad it isn't one of the others〃and I smiled at the
young lady on my arm。 My words offered her a chance to say something
appreciative； and gave him one even more； but neither Jasper nor
Grace Mavis took advantage of the occasion。 What they did do； I
noticed； was to look at each other rather fixedly an instant； after
which she turned her eyes silently to the sea。 She made no movement
and uttered no sound； contriving to give me the sense that she had
all at once become perfectly passive； that she somehow declined
responsibility。 We remained standing