noon
But a lingering suspicion that perhaps the subject was a distasteful one to Fanny Meyrick made me pause , and a few moments after , as some one else joined her , I left her and went to the smokestack for my cigar . It was impossible , in the daily monotony of ship-life , to avoid altogether the young lady whom Fate had thrown in my way . She was a most provokingly good sailor , too . Other women stayed below or were carried in limp bundles to the deck at noon ; but Fanny , perfectly poised , with the steady glow in her cheek , was always ready to amuse or be amused . I tried , at first , keeping out of her way , with the _ Trois Mousquetaires _ for company . But it seemed to me , as she knew of my engagement , such avoidance was anything but complimentary to her . Loyalty to her sex would forbid me to show that I had read her secret .