'Is it me, or is it Adrian Urmand ?' But she could not answer him, though she had said enough in her passionate sorrow to make any answer to such a question unnecessary, as far as knowledge on the subject might be required.

It might suit his views that she should confess the truth in so many words, but for other purpose her answer had been full enough.

'This is very sad,' he said, 'sad indeed; but I thought that you would have been firmer.' 'Do not chide me again, George.' 'No;--it is to no purpose.' 'You said that I was--a curse to you ?' 'O Marie, I had hoped,--I had so hoped, that you would have been my blessing!' 'Say that I am not a curse to you, George!' But he would make no answer to this appeal, no immediate answer; but stood silent and stern, while she stood still touching his arm, waiting in patience for some word at any rate of forgiveness.

He was using all the powers of his mind to see if there might even yet be any way to escape this great shipwreck.

She had not answered his question.