Seymour saved?" she whispered, her face grey with dread.
"I dare say, Miss," answered the stewardess evasively. "But there is no
gentleman of that name aboard this ship."
At that moment the doctor came in, and him, too, she plied with
questions. But having learned the story of Robert's self-sacrifice from
Mr. Thompson and the others, he would give her no answer, for he guessed
how matters had stood between them, and feared the effects of the shock.
All he could say was that he hoped Mr. Seymour had escaped in some other
boat.
It was not until the third morning that Benita was allowed to learn
the truth, which indeed it was impossible to conceal any longer. Mr.
Thompson came to her cabin and told her everything, while she listened
silently, horrified, amazed.
"Miss Clifford," he said, "I think it was one of the bravest things that
a man ever did. On the ship I always thought him rather a head-in-air
kind of swell, but he was a splendid fellow, and I pray God that he has
lived, as the lady and child for whom he offered himself up have done,
for they are both well again."
"Yes," she repeated after him mechanically, "splendid fellow indeed,
and," she added, with a strange flash of conviction, "I believe that he
_is_ still alive. If he were dead I should know it.
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