 the boat swayed violently.
Hermione, however, remained unperturbed. He grasped the book, under the water,
and brought it up, dripping.
    »I'm so dreadfully sorry - dreadfully sorry,« repeated Hermione. »I'm afraid
it was all my fault.«
    »It's of no importance - really, I assure you - it doesn't matter in the
least,« said Gudrun loudly, with emphasis, her face flushed scarlet. And she
held out her hand impatiently for the wet book, to have done with the scene.
Gerald gave it to her. He was not quite himself.
    »I'm so dreadfully sorry,« repeated Hermione, till both Gerald and Gudrun
were exasperated. »Is there nothing that can be done?«
    »In what way?« asked Gudrun, with cool irony.
    »Can't we save the drawings?«
    There was a moment's pause, wherein Gudrun made evident all her refutation
of Hermione's persistence.
    »I assure you,« said Gudrun, with cutting distinctness, »the drawings are
quite as good as ever they were, for my purpose. I want them only for
reference.«
    »But can't I give you a new book? I wish you'd let me do that. I feel so
truly sorry. I feel it was all my fault.«
    »As far as I saw,« said Gudrun, »it wasn't your fault at all. If there was
any fault, it was Mr. Crich's. But the whole thing is entirely trivial, and it
really is ridiculous to take any notice of it.«
    Gerald watched Gudrun closely, whilst she repulsed Hermione. There was a
body of cold power in her. He watched her with an insight that amounted to
clairvoyance. He saw her a dangerous, hostile spirit, that could stand
undiminished and unabated. It was so finished, and of such perfect gesture,
moreover.
    »I'm awfully glad if it doesn't matter,« he said; »if there's no real harm
done.«
    She looked back at him, with her fine blue eyes, and signalled full into his
spirit, as she said, her voice ringing with intimacy almost caressive now it was
addressed to him:
    »Of course, it doesn't matter in the least.«
    The bond was established between them, in that look, in her tone. In her
tone, she made the understanding clear - they were of the same kind, he and she
