Part 30 (1/2)

”That's the wireless! They are sending messages for help. We are in the direct channel. It will certainly come. We must hope on.”

Even as he spoke the deck s.h.i.+vered beneath his feet, and with a sickening lurch, tilted heavily on one side. Bedford threw out one hand and caught at the rail, holding Katrine firmly with the other. The young officer, thrown on one side, fell back into his nonchalant pose, and tremblingly lifted his cigarette, but his lips moved in an involuntary despair.

”My G.o.d! _She's going_--”

Katrine caught the gasping words, and looked death in the face. It was coming. At any moment that shuddering lurch might come again, and the deck glide down into the sea. This man said so, and he _knew_. For the sake of example he preserved an appearance of composure, but he understood, and he despaired. With a sob of emotion she lifted her face to Bedford's, and their lips met in a long, clinging kiss. It mattered nothing that there were people around, that the flaring lights lit up their forms; they were lost to every thought but of themselves and their love. Above the fear, above the terror, there clamoured in Katrine's heart a desperate need of expression. All her life she had been dumb; she could not die without putting in words the one transcendent fact.

”_I love you_!” she cried. ”Do you hear? Do you understand? If I must die, let me die in your arms. I tried ... but it was no use--I love _you_! There is n.o.body else--I belong to you!”

”My Katrine!” he cried trembling. ”My girl--”

Prom above, the wonderful invisible machinery rattled and cracked; the first boat swung low from the davits was already being loaded with its complement of shrinking, trembling women. The flare of lights lit up their ashen faces turned up to the deck above as they floated, wraith-like, into the mist. A second boat creaked on the ropes and Mrs Mannering's hand gripped Bedford's arm.

”Now! Bring her along!”

Katrine resisted, but the strong arms bore her along until she stood ranged among the line of waiting women. Nothing but force should induce her to enter a boat alone, but she had not the physical strength to retain her position against the will of her companions.

Mrs Mannering had tied a shawl round her head. The pockets of her coat were filled to the point of bursting. She carried a bundle of small articles, which she proceeded to stuff into the pockets of Katrine's cloak. A steward came up and fastened a lifebelt round her waist.

Bedford took a second from his arm and himself fastened it round Katrine. She laid her cold fingers on his, drawing him back.

”You are going to send me away?”

He bent and laid his lips to her hand, but he went on fastening the straps. There was a relentlessness in his movements which struck ice to Katrine's soul.

”You will send me away, and let me die alone?”

At that he winced, but still he continued his task.

”You must go first, beloved. If G.o.d wills, I'll follow. The women must go first.”

Katrine laughed; a wild reckless laugh more terrible than tears.

”Why? Why? Because of a sentiment, a convention? Better save the men!

They are the bread-winners, the heads of households. Save the lives that count, and let us drown. There are women enough--too many. We should not be missed. I have had no choice in life, but my death is my own. I will not go! I will stay with you.”

Mrs Mannering's practical, commonplace voice struck sharply upon her ears.

”My good girl,” she cried. ”You have not to think of yourself at this moment. You are not the only woman who would rather stay behind. Look at those poor souls over there who have to leave husbands and sons! Is it easier for them, or for you? There's only one thing to be done--obey orders, and do your bit towards smoothing the way. When your turn comes, you've _got_ to go, and I'll see to it that you _do_!”

She squared her shoulders, and stationed herself grim and relentless by Katrine's side. In the lurid light her face looked lined, and incredibly old, but she carried herself bravely, and showed not a quiver of fear.

Along the deck the band had marshalled, and the strains of a popular waltz floated with horrible gaiety on the air. Not a note fell flat, or out of time; stalwart and erect in their smart uniform, the men stood and played, and the conductor waved his baton as composedly as if they had been surrounded by a throng of merry dancers, instead of men and women threatened by instant death. Prom within the brightly-lighted smoking-room a man could be seen writing a letter. A few feet away a woman was playing bo-peep with a frightened child. Gradually, as Katrine stood waiting, her fear subsided, and there stole into her soul a mysterious courage and calm. Strung to its highest sensibilities the spirit within her absorbed the atmosphere by which it was surrounded, and n.o.bly answered the call.

Imagine it! Dwell for one moment on the majesty of it--a crowd of men and women, each one braced up to his highest, strongest self; to a _selfless_ self, stifling, for the sake of others, all signs of distress, obeying the ordinary conventions of society, giving place, the stronger to the weaker, with a smile and bow, as if that matter of preference were some society trifle, not a matter of bald life and death.

As surely as the music floated from the mouth of those brazen instruments, as the light streamed from the electric arch overhead, so surely did the spiritual influence of those brave deeds spread over the s.h.i.+p, and touch with fire every human heart.

Into Katrine's soul in its turn stole some portion of this n.o.ble fort.i.tude; she ceased to struggle, and stood silently by Bedford's side awaiting her call. The women filed slowly by, were lifted one by one and swung into the boat. Suddenly Bedford turned towards her, grasping both hands. In his face she read that the parting had come.

”Katrine! Good-bye...”