They've seen enough for one night anyhow, and I guess they were only waiting for an excuse to go below," replied Hugh.

To himself he said, "I wonder what the dickens Grace did that for?
And why was Lady Huntingford so willing to leave ?" Veath sat nervously wriggling his thumbs, plainly ill at ease.

His jaw was set, however, and there was a look in his eyes which signified a determination to brave it out.
"You know me pretty well by this time, Hugh," he said.

Hugh awoke from his abstraction and displayed immediate interest.

"You know that I am straightforward and honest, if nothing else.