Her cheeks were warm and glowing, her eyes were bright and flashing with excitement, her whole being seemed charged with animation.
The wan-faced stranger followed them on deck a few minutes later.

His eyes were riveted on a chair nearby and his long body moved swiftly toward it.

Then came a deep roll, the deck seemed to throw itself in the air, and, with a startled look, he plunged headlong toward Miss Vernon's chair.
His knee struck the chair, but he managed to throw his body to one side.
He went driving against the deck-house, sinking in a heap.

Miss Vernon gave a little shriek of alarm and pity, and Ridgeway sprang to the side of the fallen man, assisting him to his feet.

The stranger's face was drawn with momentary pain and his eyes were dazed.
"Pardon me," he murmured.