They had nearly arrived at the foregone conclusion.
"Well, Mr.Seymour," she said finally, "we are here at last; for what are you waiting ?" "Waiting for you." "For me ?" "Ay, only for you." "I--I--do not understand you." "You understand nothing apparently, but I will explain." He stepped out on the landing-stage, and after taking a turn or two with the painter to secure the boat, he turned toward his captive with a ceremonious bow.
"Permit me to help you ashore." "Oh, thank you, Lieutenant Seymour; if I only could, in this little boat, I would courtesy in return for that effort," she answered with tremulous and transparent bravery.

But when the little palm met his own brown one, it seemed to steal away some of the bitterness of the moment.

After he had assisted her upon the shore and up the steps into the boathouse, he held her hand tight within his own, and with that promptitude which characterized him he made the plunge.
"Oh, Miss Wilton--Katharine--it is true I have known you only a little while, but all that time--ever since I saw you, in fact, and even before, when your father showed me your picture--I have loved you.
Nay, hear me out." There was an unusual sternness in his voice.

My lord appeared to be in the imperative mood,--something to which she had not been accustomed.

He meant to be heard, and with beating heart perforce she listened.