"It is an old superstition of our Scottish sailors that the bells of wrecks and sunken ships are rung by mysterious hands at the bottom of the sea, to announce storms and disasters."
"Ah, but you Scots are so superstitious; you live in a land of omens and ghosts, predictions and dreams, even in these fast railway times."
"Yet I would that we were in Scotland now," said Heriot, with a sigh, as he thought of the doubts and clouds that veiled the future.
"We?" repeated Rose, inquiringly, while peeping from her hood and shawl, so that the light of the binnacle lamp fell full on her sweet young face, and very beautiful the dark-eyed girl looked.
"Yes, we," reiterated Heriot, whose heart was rushing to his head as he held, unresisted, her plump little hands in his. "I wish to speak with you, Rose, to--to--I have so long desired--do you--do you care for me Rose, dear Rose?"
"Can you love me, dear, dear Rose, as I love you?"
"Yes," said Rose, in a whisper, as her head dropped on Heriot's shoulder, and his lips were pressed on her throbbing brow, for now the great secret was told, and all her pulses beat with a new, happiness.
A few moments of joyous silence followed. Then crossing the deck to leeward, they were more in obscurity; and fortunately for them, Manfredi at that moment went forward, so Heriot pressed Rose to his breast, and said in a low, earnest, and agitated voice:
"But Rose--my beloved Rose; to what end do I love you?--to what purpose?--how taught you love to me? We are to land you at the Isle of France, and then sail on through the Indian Seas--to leave you--leave you there, for I have no home--no settled abode."
("Papa's daughters are unlucky in their lovers," thought Rose.) She replied, however, while tears of apprehension filled her eyes:
"Why cannot you leave the ship? Sailing with it to and fro must be very tiresome."
"Yes, and live with us in the Isle of France."
"Live with you, Rose?" said Heriot, with sad perplexity.
"Settle, I mean--at least, while papa is there."
"I cannot, even if I had the means. I am bound to the owners and to Captain Phillips, for this voyage at least, unless the _Hermione_ procures another medical officer."
Heriot smiled sadly at Rose's simplicity.