She was despondent, nervous, uncertain of her own strength, afraid of the hurricane of publicity that would shortly swoop down on her.
"I wish you would realize how I feel in this matter," she said, with a persistence that was at least creditable to her honesty of purpose.

"A woman's word should be held as sacred as a man's, Philip." He turned and met her eyes.

There was a tender smile on his lips.
"So you really believe you will be compelled to marry Mr.Bulmer ?" he cried.
"Oh, don't be horrid!" she almost sobbed.

"I cuc--cuc--can't help it." "I have given some thought to the problem myself," he said, for, in truth, he was beginning to be alarmed by her tenacity, though determined not to let her perceive his changed mood.

"Curiously enough, I was thinking more of your dilemma than of the signals when we were overhauled by the _Sao Geronimo_ this morning.