explain.

I stood, cigar in mouth, looking up at her canvas and round upon the
dark scene of ocean, whilst, the lid of the skylight being a little way
open, I was almost within arm's reach of my darling, whose lightest
call would reach my ear, or least movement take my eye.  The stars were
dim away over the port quarter, and I could distinguish the outlines of
clouds hanging in dusky, vaporous bodies over the black mass of the
coast dotted with lights where Boulogne lay, with the Cape Gris Nez
lantern windily flashing on high from its shoulder of land that blended
in a dye of ink with the gloom of the horizon.  There were little runs
of froth in the ripples of the water, with now and again a phosphoric
glancing that instinctively sentdo, sir?  You'll forgive me for
saying of it; but supposing she _do_, sir?"

"No good in supposing, Caudel," said I, suppressing a little movement
of irritation; "no good in obstructing one's path by suppositions stuck
up like so many fences to stop one from advancing.  Our first business
is to get to Penzance."

By his motions, and the uneasy shifting of his posture, he discovered
himself ill at ease, but his respectfulness would not allow him to
persevere with his inquiries.

"Caudel," said I, "you may ask me any questions you please.  The more
you show yourself really anxious on behalf of Miss Bellassys, the more
shall I honour you.  Don't fear.  I shall never interpret your concern
for her into a doubt of me.  If Lady Amelia absolutely refuses her
sanction, what then