The Lady and the Pirate

"On what?"

"On you!" I answered furiously. "What right had you to ruin me, to

throw me over----"

She turned a frightened glance to Aunt Lucinda, whom I had entirely

forgotten. It was my turn to blush. To hide my confusion I drew on my

mask as I bowed.

I met John coming down with the ninety-three. As he returned on deck a

moment later, I pushed shut the doors and sprung the outside latches;

so that those within now were prisoners, indeed. And then I stood

looking up at the stars, slowly beginning to see why God made the

world.