But notwithstanding that he menaced boldly the heart of
Sakr-el-Bahr was surcharged with anxiety. He had conceived a plan; but
between the conception and its execution he realized that much ill might
lie.
"Mistress," he addressed Rosamund as he stepped upon the poop. "You are
not wise to show yourself so openly."
To his amazement she met him with a hostile glance.
"Not wise?" said she, her countenance scornful. "You mean that I may
see more than was intended for me. What game do you play here, sir, that
you tell me one thing and show me by your actions that you desire
another?"
He did not need to ask her what she meant. At once he perceived how she
had misread the scene she had witnessed.
"I'll but remind you," he said very gravely, "that once before you did me
a wrong by over-hasty judgment, as has been proven to you."
It overthrew some of her confidence. "But then...." she began.
"I do but ask you to save your judgment for the end. If I live I shall
deliver you. Meanwhile I beg that you will keep your cabin. It does not
help me that you be seen."
She looked at him, a prayer for explanation trembling on her lips. But
before the calm command of his tone and glance she slowly lowered her
head and withdrew beyond the curtain.
CHAPTER XX
THE MESSENGER
For the rest of the day she kept the cabin, chafing with anxiety to know
what was toward and the more racked by it because Sakr-el-Bahr refrained
through all those hours from coming to her.
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