"It's really no use asking _me_," he said, "for I've no idea!"
"I waited--to discover that all this time you have had a secret understanding with another; that you are about to transfer your fickle affections to--to that fair girl! Don't deny it, Peter! I was listening. I see it all--all!"
"I wish to goodness _I_ did!" he said. "I never was in such a muddle as this in my life. I can only assure you that if that young lady really imagines that I am, or can be, anything more to her than a friend, she is entirely mistaken. I was just about to go up and explain as much to her father!"
"You are not deceiving me?" she asked, earnestly. "You are _sure_?"
"I will swear it, if you wish!" he replied.
"No," she said, relenting visibly, "your word is enough. I do believe you, and I am almost happy again. So long as you do not desert me, even Alfred loses half his terrors!"
"Exactly," he said; "and now, if you will excuse me, I'll just run up on deck and settle this other business."
He went up to the hurricane-deck, and found the ship had anchored. In front was a huge barren rock, with lines of forts, walls, and telegraph poles; and at its base, a small white town huddled. They had arrived at Gibraltar, which accounted for the absence of motion.
As he stood there, taking this in, he was accosted by Sir William Tyrrell, who thrust his arm through Peter's in a friendly manner.
"My dear boy," said the Judge heartily, "Violet has just told me the good news. I can only say that I am delighted--most delighted! I have always felt a warm interest in you, ever since that affair of----"
"Of the monkey," said Peter. "I am very glad to hear it, Sir William; but--but I ought to tell you that I am afraid Miss Tyrrell was--a little premature. She misinterpreted a remark of mine, which, in point of fact, referred to somebody else altogether."
"Then you have no more reason than before for assuming that your _fiançée_ has thrown you over. Am I to understand that?"
"No more reason than before," admitted Peter.
"And your uncertainty still continues? Very unsatisfactory, I must say! I do think, my dear fellow, that, in your position, you should have been more careful to refrain from betraying any interest in Violet until you knew that you were free to speak. As it is, you may have cast a shadow upon her young life that it will take years to dispel!"