The soothing sound came nearer and nearer, close under the _Cayman's_
quarter, and then a brown hand clasped the man-ropes, and a light slim
figure swung itself upon deck, while the boat bobbed and splashed below.
It was Montesma, who had not been expected till the racing, which was
not to begin for two days. A faint, faint rose bloom flushed Lady
Lesbia's cheek at sight of him; and Mr. Smithson gave a little look of
vexation, just one rapid contraction of the eyebrows, which resumed
their conventional placidity the next instant.
'So good of you,' he murmured. 'I really did not expect you till the
beginning of the week.'
'London is simply insupportable in this weather--most of all for a man
born in the Havanas. My soul thirsted for blue water. So I said to
myself, This good Smithson is at Cowes; he will give me the run of his
yacht and a room at his villa. Why not go to Cowes at once?'
'The room is at your service. I have only two or three of my people at
Formosa, but just enough to look after a bachelor friend.'
'I want very little service, my dear fellow,' answered Montesma,
pleasantly.
Pages:
751
752
753
754
755
756
757
758
759
760
761
762
763
764
765
766
767
768
769
770
771
772
773
774
775