He had listened in vain for any flaw, any indication of alien birth. Nothing betrayed her as a foreigner, except, possibly, a delightfully quaint formality in accepting any service offered. For when he asked her whether she desired this or that, or if he might do this or that for her, always her answer in the affirmative was, "Yes, please," like a little girl who had been carefully taught to respect age. It amused him; for modern English young women are less punctilious with modern youth.
There came a dull clatter of crockery from the passageway; Guild turned and opened the door. The waiter produced a folding table, spread it, and arranged the dishes.
"That will be all," whispered Guild. "Don't knock again; I'll set the tray outside."
So the waiter went away and Guild closed the door again and turned back to the bed where Karen lay. Her delicate brows were now slightly knitted and the troubled curve of her lips hinted again of a slumber not wholly undisturbed by subconscious apprehension.
The girl opened her eyes. They had that starry freshness that one sees in the eyes of waking children. For a moment her confused gaze met his without expression, then a hot flush stained her face and she sat up hurriedly. Down tumbled the thick, burnished locks and her hands flew instinctively to twist them up.
"I didn't realize that I had been asleep. Please, will you turn your back"--her glance fell on the table--"I shall be ready in a moment--Kervyn."
"Had I not better give you the place to yourself?"
"I'll do a sentry-go in the corridor," he said. "Open the door when you're quite ready."
So he went out and walked up and down until the stateroom door opened and her low voice summoned him.
"No"--she smiled faintly--"but the excitement of the day--the anxiety----"
They ate a little after all, and the hot and rather vile tea stimulated her. Presently he set tray and table outside in the corridor and came slowly back to where she had gathered herself in a corner of the sofa.
"The sea is rather rough," he said. "You seem to be a good sailor."
"Yes, I am. My father had a yacht and my mother and I always went when he cruised."
This slightest glimpse of personal history--the first she had vouchsafed--the first slight lifting of the curtain which hung between them, aroused his latent curiosity.