Sterling left the arrangement of
etiquette and decorum to Lilian's mother; and whether she were a
purblind soul, looking delightedly at a new love-match, or whether,
with any surmise of the state of things, she felt pleased that
Reyburn, led by whatever inducement, should step aside from Lilian's
path, she gave no other sign than that when her early withdrawal from
the scene left the deck clear for action. As each in turn they fell
away into their dreams, those below could still hear Helen singing;
and if one there lay sleepless in the pauses of the singing, no one
guessed it. All the ship was in shadow save where a lantern shone, but
Helen lingered, still irresolute. Now and then she touched the Spanish
guitar in the measure of some tune that flitted across her thoughts,
now and then she sang the tune, now and then was silent. She was half
aware of what the approaching moments held--was half afraid. Was she
to avenge herself upon the man who had destroyed her brother's peace?
Faithful to Lilian should she go, or faithless stay? He took the
guitar himself and fingered the strings, making fewer chords than
discords; her own fingers wandered to correct him; their hands met;
the guitar slipped down unheeded; the grasp grew closer, grew
warmer--ah, Helen, was it Lilian of whom you thought, whom you would
save?--and then an arm was around her; shining eyes, only half guessed
in the glimmer that the phosphorescent swells sent through the
darkness, hung over her rosy upturned beauty; she was drawn forward
unresisting, her head was on his breast, she, heard the heavy
throbbing of his heart, and his lips lay on hers and seemed to draw
her soul away.
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