trifling subjects. Her occasional attempts to lead the conversation
into more serious channels, even to the subject of his travels, he
avoided, however, with a curious persistency. Once she stopped short
and forced him to look at her.

"Mr. Jocelyn Thew," she complained, "tell me why you persist in
treating me like a child?"

Then for the first time his tone became graver.

"I want to treat you and think of you," he said, "in the only way that
is possible for me."

"Explain, please," she begged.

He led her again to the side of the ship. The sea had freshened, and
the spray flew past them like salt diamonds.

"Since it has pleased you to refer to the subject, Miss Beverley," he
said seriously, "I will explain so far as I am able. I suppose that I
have committed nearly every one of the crimes which our abbreviated
dictionary of modern life enumerates. If the truth were known about
me, and I were judged by certain prevailing laws, not only my
reputation but my life might be in serious danger. But there is one
crime which I have not committed and which I do not intend to commit,
one pain which I have avoided all my life myself, and avoided
inflicting upon others. I think you must know what I refer to."

"I can assure you that I do not," she told him frankly. "In any case I
hate ambiguity. Do please tell me exactly what you mean."