"
There was another moment of silence.
"Is there no way but telling you?" she asked, suddenly. "I can control
myself while he is with me, but I can't answer for what I may say or do
afterward. Is there no other way?"
"Plenty of ways," said the captain. "Here is the first that occurs to
me. Leave the blind down over the window of your room upstairs before
he comes. I will go out on the beach, and wait there within sight of the
house. When I see him come out again, I will look at the window. If he
has said nothing, leave the blind down. If he has made you an
offer, draw the blind up. The signal is simplicity itself; we can't
misunderstand each other. Look your best to-morrow! Make sure of him, my
dear girl--make sure of him, if you possibly can."
He had spoken loud enough to feel certain that she had heard him, but no
answering word came from her. The dead silence was only disturbed by the
rustling of her dress, which told him she had risen from her chair. Her
shadowy presence crossed the room again; the door shut softly; she was
gone. He rang the bell hurriedly for the lights. The servant found him
standing close at the window, looking less self-possessed than usual.
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