He seized the first opportunity that presented itself to make Sir Arthur Deane acquainted with a decision already dreaded by the unfortunate shipowner.  Iris must either abandon her infatuation for Anstruther or bring about the ruin of her father.  There was no mean.

“If she declines to become Countess of Ventnor, she can marry whom she likes, as you will be all paupers together,” was the Earl’s caustic summing up.

This brutal argument rather overshot the mark.  The shipowner’s face flushed with anger, and Lord Ventnor hastened to retrieve a false step.

“I didn’t exactly mean to put it that way, Deane, but my temper is a little short these days.  My position on board this ship is intolerable.  As a matter of fair dealing to me, you should put a stop to your daughter’s attitude towards Anstruther, on the ground that her engagement is neither approved of by you nor desirable under any consideration.”

It may be assumed from this remark that even the Earl’s sardonic temper was ruffled by the girl’s outrageous behavior.  Nor was it exactly pleasant to him to note how steadily Anstruther advanced in the favor of every officer on the ship.  By tacit consent the court-martial was tabooed, at any rate until the Orient reached Singapore.  Every one knew that the quarrel lay between Robert and Ventnor, and it is not to be wondered at if Iris’s influence alone were sufficient to turn the scale in favor of her lover.

The shipowner refused point-blank to interfere in any way during the voyage.

“You promised your co-operation in business even if we found that the Sirdar had gone down with all hands,” he retorted bitterly.  “Do you wish me to make my daughter believe she has come back into my life only to bring me irretrievable ruin?”

“That appears to be the result, no matter how you may endeavor to disguise it.”

“I thought the days were gone when a man would wish to marry a woman against her will.”

“Nonsense!  What does she know about it?  The glamour of this island romance will soon wear off.  It would be different if Anstruther were able to maintain her even decently.  He is an absolute beggar, I tell you.  Didn’t he ship on your own vessel as a steward?  Take my tip, Deane.  Tell him how matters stand with you, and he will cool off.”

He believed nothing of the sort, but he was desperately anxious that Iris should learn the truth as to her father’s dilemma from other lips than his own.  This would be the first point gained.  Others would follow.

The two men were conversing in the Earl’s cabin.  On the deck overhead a very different chat was taking place.

The Orient was due in Singapore that afternoon.  Iris was invited into the chart-room on some pretext, and Lieutenant Playdon, delegated by the commander and the first lieutenant, buttonholed Robert.

With sailor-like directness he came straight to the point—­