Why should he not remain as "Drake Vernon," without title or fortune? If
he won a woman's love, it would be for himself, not for the rank he
could bestow---"There is Dick!" said Nell.
Drake awoke from his reverie.
"Scarcely worth while going back for him, is it?" he said. "Besides,
he'll want to shoot something--and these gulls look so happy and
contented----"
"Why, you told him to get his gun!" she said, with surprise. "But it
doesn't matter. He's going out in Willy's boat, I see. I suppose he
thinks we shan't turn back for him. Isn't it lovely this evening?"
"Yes," he assented absently.
If--if Nell, now, for instance, were to--to promise to be his wife, he
would be sure that it was for himself she cared! She did not know that
he was anything other than just Mr. Drake Vernon. No carking doubts of
the truth and purity of her love would ever embitter his happiness.
"Where are we going?" she asked, turning on her elbow as he steered for
the cove where they had lunched the other day.
"I've a fancy to look into that cave," he said. "What a capital place it
would be for a picnic! Shall we go ashore for a few minutes?"
He threw out the anchor, leaped to the shore, and pulled the boat in for
her. She prepared to jump, as usual, but as she stood, her slight figure
poised on the gunwale, he took her in his arms and lifted her out.
Her face went crimson for an instant, but she turned aside, and walked
up the beach, and by the time he had overtaken her the crimson had gone;
but the grip of his arms had set her tingling, and her heart was beating
fast; and yet it was so foolish to--to mind; for had not Brownie and
Willy, and half the fishermen of Shorne Mills, lifted her out of a boat
when the sea was rough and the boat unsteady?
"Let us sit down," Drake said.
There was a big bowlder just within the cave, and Nell seated herself on
it, and he slid down at her side.
"If Dick is angry, you will have to protect me," she said, breaking the
silence which seemed to oppress her with a sense of dread.
"I will; especially as it was my fault," he said. "I didn't want
Dick--for a wonder. I wanted to be--alone--with you again. I have wanted
it every minute since I left you. Do you know why?"