Launce looked at Natalie, as weak Sir Joseph consented in those words.

"What did I tell you?" he whispered.

Natalie hung her head in silence. There was a pause in the conversation
on deck. The two gentlemen walked away slowly toward the forward part of
the vessel.

Launce pursued his advantage.

"Your father leaves us no alternative," he said. "The door will be
closed against me as soon as we get on shore. If I lose you, Natalie, I
don't care what becomes of me. My profession may go to the devil. I have
nothing left worth living for."

"Hush! hush! don't talk in that way!"

Launce tried the soothing influence of persuasion once more.

"Hundreds and hundreds of people in our situation have married
privately--and have been forgiven afterward," he went on. "I won't ask
you to do anything in a hurry. I will be guided entirely by your wishes.
All I want to quiet my mind is to know that you are mine. Do, do, do
make me feel sure that Richard Turlington can't take you away from me."

"Don't press me, Launce." She dropped on the locker. "See!" she said.
"It makes me tremble only to think of it!"

"Who are you afraid of, darling? Not your father, surely?"