No; I was not the object of this hatred, for he was not looking at me; his eye was steadily fixed upon the impenetrable point of the horizon. At last Captain Nemo recovered himself. His agitation subsided. He addressed some words in a foreign language to his lieutenant, then turned to me. “M. Aronnax,” he said, in rather an imperious tone, “I require you to keep one of the conditions that bind you to me.” “What is it, Captain?” “You must be confined, with your companions, until I think fit to release you.” “You are the master,” I replied, looking steadily at him. “But may I ask you one question?” “None, sir.” There was no resisting this imperious command, it would have been useless. I went down to the cabin occupied by Ned Land and Conseil, and told them the Captain’s determination. You may judge how this communication was received by the Canadian. But there was not time for altercation. Four of the crew waited at the door, and conducted us to that cell where we had passed our first night on board the Nautilus. Ned Land would have remonstrated, but the door was shut upon him. “Will master tell me what this means?” asked Conseil. I told my companions what had passed. They were as much astonished as I, and equally at a loss how to account for it.