How could I ?" "If you wish to quibble about words, perhaps not.

But was not that your meaning ?" "No, it wasn't.

You are the only woman who has been in my thoughts to-day." "Mr.Freeman!" "Well ?" "You have intimated very clearly that you are engaged--married, for aught I know--to a woman whom you are now on your way to meet----" At this point she stopped.

Freeman had interrupted her with a shout of laughter.
She had been very pale.

She now flushed all over her face, and jumped to her feet.
"Sit down," he said, laying a hand on her dress and (aided by a lurch of the vessel) pulling her into her seat again, "and listen to me.