As soon as she was conscious of her position, she drew away from him, still sobbing. It was not only her fright, but the natural result of the high tension at which she had lived for more than a week. He left her and rummaged around until he found a bottle of brandy, then he brought her a glass of water liberally strengthened with it.
She obeyed, and in a few minutes began to recover her self-possession. "How did you get here?" she asked.
"I went up the river a little way, landed on this side, and walked down to the back door. You didn't suppose I'd let you come over here alone, did you?"
"Certainly. I expected you to do just what you did, and I kept my eye on you. I knew you were in the house, because I saw the boat outside, but I didn't mean to frighten you. I just thought I'd look around until we met."
"You--you--walked so softly," she said, with quivering lips.
"Did I? That's the first time I've ever been accused of that. It must have been your imagination."
"Perhaps," she answered, with a long sigh.
"If you have everything you want, we'll go back now."
Scarcely conscious of what she did, she stooped to pick up the things that had fallen to the floor. They seemed utterly useless for all time, but she felt the necessity of action. As they turned to leave the room, he took her cold hands in his and looked down into her wet eyes.
"Promise me," he said, "that you will never again disobey a military order."
"How do you know I'd keep a promise?" she asked, to gain time.
Something in his eyes subdued her. "I promise," she said, almost in a whisper.
"All right. Now, we'll not say anything about this to any one--do you understand?"
She was still trembling when he helped her into the pirogue, and neither spoke while they were crossing. When they entered the gate, Captain Franklin met them.
"Did she ask you to take her over?" he inquired of Ronald.
The Ensign's eyes met his squarely. "Yes, sir."
"Did you go together? I thought I saw you going alone."
"We went together. She was waiting for me outside."
"Very well. I will have no disobedience of my orders--remember that, both of you."
"Don't faint," George whispered, warningly, as the Captain walked away. "It's all right now, but that's the first time I ever lied--in my official capacity."