This boat will
carry us well--and the wind is with us."
She turned and looked him in the face.
"And then?"
"Then? We'll think it out together, Kitty--together!" He bent his lips
to her hand, bending so as to conceal the action from the sailors. But
she drew her hand away.
"You and I," she said, fiercely--"would tire of each other in a week!"
"Have the courage to try! No!--you should not tire of me in a week! I
would find ways to keep you mine, Kitty--cradled, and comforted, and
happy."
"Happy!" Her slight laugh was the forlornest thing. "Take me out to
sea--and drop me there--with a stone round my neck. That might be worth
doing--perhaps."
He surveyed her unmoved.
"Listen, Kitty! This kind of thing can't go on forever."
"What are you waiting for?" she said, tauntingly. "You ought to have
gone last week."
"I am not going," he said, raising himself by a sudden movement--"till
you come with me!"
Kitty started, her eyes riveted to his.
"And yet go I will! Not even you shall stop me, Kitty. I'll take the
help I've gathered back to those poor devils--if I die for it. But
you'll come with me--you'll come!"
She drew back--trembling under an impression she strove to conceal.
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