Chapter 4

"AT LAST ALONE"

"Someone has taken the camp stool," said Lieutenant Drummond. "May I sit here?" and the young woman was good enough to give the desired permission.

When he had seated himself he glanced around, then impulsively held out his hand.

"Miss Amhurst," he said, "how are you?"

"Very well, thank you," replied the girl with a smile, and after half a moment's hesitation she placed her hand in his.

"Of course you dance, Miss Amhurst?"

"Yes, but not to-night. I am here merely as a looker-on in Vienna. You must not allow politeness to keep you away from the floor, or, perhaps, I should say the deck. I don't mind being alone in the least."

"Now, Miss Amhurst, that is not a hint, is it? Tell me that I have not already tired you of my company."

"Oh, no, but I do not wish you to feel that simply because we met casually the other day you are compelled to waste your evening sitting out."

"Indeed, Miss Amhurst, although I should very much like to have the pleasure of dancing with you, there is no one else here that I should care to ask. I have quailed under the eagle eye of my Captain once or twice this evening, and I have been rather endeavoring to keep out of his sight. I fear he has found something new about me of which to disapprove, so I have quite determined not to dance, unless you would consent to dance with me, in which case I am quite ready to brave his reproachful glances."

"Have you done anything wrong lately?"

"Heaven only knows! I try not to be purposely wicked, and indeed have put forth extra efforts to be extra good, but it seems all of no avail. I endeavor to go about the ship with a subdued, humble, unobtrusive air, but this is rather difficult for a person of my size. I don't think a man can droop successfully unless he's under six feet in height."

Dorothy laughed with quiet content. She was surprised to find herself so much at her ease with him, and so mildly happy. They shared a secret together, and that of itself was an intangible bond linking him with her who had no ties with any one else. She liked him; had liked him from the first; and his unconcealed delight in her company was gratifying to a girl who heretofore had found none to offer her the gentle courtesies of life.

"Is it the Russian business again? You do not look very much troubled about it."

"Ah, that is-- that is--" he stammered in apparent confusion, then blurted out, "because you-- because I am sitting here. Although I have met you but once before, it seems somehow as if I had known you always, and my slight anxiety that I told you of fades away in your presence. I hope you don't think I am forward in saying this, but really to-night, when I saw you at the head