We came from Nassau last night....

Have you ever been to Nassau ?" The girl nodded listlessly and glanced at the white yacht, now becoming visible through the thinning mist.

Somewhere above in the viewless void an aura grew and spread into a blinding glory; and all around, once more, the fog turned into floating golden vapour shot with rain.
The girl placed both hands on the gunwales as though preparing to rise.
"Not yet!" said Hamil sharply.
"I beg your pardon ?"--looking up surprised, still poised lightly on both palms as though checked at the instant of rising into swift aerial flight--so light, so buoyant she appeared.
"Don't go overboard," he repeated.
"Why not ?" "Because I'm going to row you in." "I wish to swim; I prefer it." "I am only going to take you to the float--" "But I don't care to have you.

I am perfectly able to swim in--" "I know you are," he said, swinging clear around in his seat to face her, "but I put it in the form of a request; will you be kind enough to let me row you part way to the float?
This fog is not ended." She opened her lips to protest; indeed, for a moment it looked as if she were going overboard without further argument; then perhaps some belated idea of civility due him for the hospitality of his boat restrained her.
"You understand, of course, that I am quite able to swim in," she said.
"Yes; may I now row you part way?
The fog is closing in again." She yielded with a pretty indifference, none the less charming because there was no flattery in it for him.

He now sat facing her, pushing his oars through the water; and she stole a curious glance at his features--slightly sullen for the moment--noticing his well-set, well-shaped head and good shoulders.
That fugitive glance confirmed the impression of recognition in her mind.