"And now tell me something about yourself; have you no friends you can send for?
I will see they get your message.

The captain told me you were English.

Is this true ?" She had withdrawn her hand and now sat with averted face, the faint flicker of hope his presence had enkindled extinguished by his evasive answer.

Only when he repeated the question did she reply, and then in a mere whisper, without lifting her head: "Yes, I am English." "And your people, are they where you can reach them ?" She did not answer; there was nothing to be gained by yielding to his curiosity.

Nor did she intend to reply to any more of his questions.