The woman glanced up, but he closed the door, shutting out a jangle of voices, before speaking.
"What was it?
You sent for me ?" She rose to her feet, and came a step forward,--my heart leapt into my throat, my fingers gripped the rail.
"Yes," she said quietly, looking into his face, "I have decided I cannot do it." "Decided! What now ?" and his surprise was beyond question.

"Why, what does all this mean?
No one has sought to coerce or drive you; this was your own choice.

Surely you have had ample time in which to consider!" "Oh, yes," wearily, her hand pressing back her hair, "but--but I really never understood myself until to-night; I am not sure I do even now." "A girlish whim," he broke in impatiently.

"Why, daughter, this is foolish, impossible; all arrangements are made, and even now they are toasting the captain in the dining-room.

Under no other conditions could he have got leave of absence, for his injuries are trivial.