to compromise my companions by my selfishness? Tomorrow Captain Nemo might take us out to sea again.
At this moment a loud hissing noise made me aware that the reservoirs were filling, and the Nautilus was descending beneath the Atlantic waves.
I remained in my room. I wished to avoid the captain, to hide from him the emotion that overcame me. I passed a very wearying day, and left my submarine studies, as I was balanced between the desire for liberty and my regret at quitting the Nautilus. To quit this ocean—“my Atlantic,” as I liked to call it—without having visited its greater depths, without having gained its secrets, while the Indian and Pacific Oceans had yielded theirs! My romance fell from my hand at the first volume; my dream was interrupted at the most pleasant moment! What unhappy hours I passed thus! Sometimes picturing myself and my companions in safety ; sometimes hoping, against my own reason, that something would prevent Ned Land’s project from being carried out.
Twice I came into the saloon. I wanted to look at the compass. I wished to see in what direction the Nautilus was going; whether bringing us nearer to, or taking us farther from the coast. But there was no change, we continued in Portuguese waters.
I must therefore make up my mind to depart. My baggage was not excessive—only my notes!
I wondered what Captain Nemo would think of our flight. What unhappiness, what evil might it not bring upon him; and how would he act in either event—on success or failure? I had certainly no cause to complain of his conduct—on the contrary—he was hospitality itself. But in leaving the ship I could not be taxed with ingratitude; I was bound by no oath. He depended on circumstances,
