"But where is the minister or magistrate?"
"Everything, I should say. We can't get married without one or the other," he blurted out. She stopped stockstill with a gasp.
"Get married? Why--why, we have said nothing of getting married."
"And that's just why I am speaking of it now. I want you to be my wife, Tennys. Will you be my wife, dear?" he asked nervously.
"How absurd, Hugh. We may be on this island forever, and how are we to be married here? Besides, I had not thought of it."
"But you must think of it. I can't do all the thinking."
"Lord Huntingford may not be dead," she said, turning pale with the possibility.
"I can swear that he is. He was one of the first to perish. I don't believe you know what love is even now, or you would answer my question."
"Don't be so petulant, please. It is a serious matter to consider, as well as an absurd one, situated as we are. Now, if I should say that I will be your wife, what then?"
"Hugh, dear, I would become your wife to-day, to-morrow--any time, if it were possible."
"But until we are taken from this island to some place where there is an altar, how can we be married, Hugh?"
"Now, that's something for you to think about. It's almost worried the life out of me."
By this time they had reached the temple. She flung herself carelessly into the hammock, a contented sigh coming from her lips. He leaned against a post near by.
"I am perfectly satisfied here, Hugh," she said tantalizingly. "I've just been thinking that I am safer here."
"To be sure, dear. If we live here always there can be no one to disturb us, you know. Has it ever occurred to you that some one else may claim you if we go back to the world? And Lord Huntingford may be waiting for me down at the dock, too. I think I shall object to being rescued," she said demurely.
"Well, if he is alive, you can get a divorce from him on the ground of desertion. I can swear that he deserted you on the night of the wreck. He all but threw you overboard."
"Let me ask a question of you. Suppose we should be rescued and you find Grace alive and praying for your return, loving you more than ever. What would become of her if you told her that you loved me and what would become of me if you married her?"