"Do you think, then, that we may remain here long?"

"It is impossible to form an opinion on that point. Help may come in a
day. On the other hand----"

"Yes?"

"It is a wise thing, Miss Deane, to prepare for other contingencies."

She stood still, and swept the horizon with comprehensive eyes. The
storm had vanished. Masses of cloud were passing away to the west,
leaving a glorious expanse of blue sky. Already the sea was calming.
Huge breakers roared over the reef, but beyond it the waves were
subsiding into a heavy unbroken swell.

The sailor watched her closely. In the quaint oilskin hat and her
tattered muslin dress she looked bewitchingly pretty. She reminded him
of a well-bred and beautiful society lady whom he once saw figuring as
Grace Darling at a fashionable bazaar.

But Miss Iris's thoughts were serious.

"Do you mean," she said slowly, without moving her gaze from the
distant meeting-place of sky and water, "that we may be imprisoned here
for weeks, perhaps months?"

"If you cast your mind back a few hours you will perhaps admit that we
are very fortunate to be here at all."

She whisked round upon him. "Do not fence with my question, Mr. Jenks.