During their small intercourse she had discovered that he was well informed.

They had hit upon a few kindred tastes in books and music; they even differed sharply in their appreciation of favorite authors, and what could be more conducive to complete understanding than the attack and defense of the shrine of some tin god of literature?
While, therefore, it was strange that Captain Coke should actually propose a visit to the bridge at an unusual time--at a time, too, when Hozier would be on duty--it struck her as far more curious that he should endeavor to prevent an earlier meeting.

But she had never lost her intuitive fear of Coke.

His many faults certainly did not include a weak will.

He meant what he said--also a good deal that he left unsaid--and his word was law to everyone on board the _Andromeda_.