THE UNSPEAKABLE GENTLEMAN
have a pleasant journey, and may your friends be well when you arrive."
"You mean it is good-by?" she asked, and her voice had a sound that reminded me of tears. "You mean we shall not meet again?"
He bowed low over her hand.
"Mademoiselle will be relieved to know we shall not," said my father gravely. "Let me hope you may always have more pleasant company."
She seemed about to speak again, but she did not. Instead, she turned silently away and left him, and a second later I saw her disappear in the shadow of the main-mast.
"Ah," said my father," there is a woman for you. My son, in the side pocket of my coat you will find a snuff box. Would you kindly open it for me and permit me to take a pinch? And you, perhaps? No? It is a pleasant sedative."
He took a step nearer the rail, and the men about the long boat stiffened to attention.
"Get them into the boat, Mr. Aiken," he said. "You and I will sit in the stern, my son. Your arm, Brutus, so."
"Stand by to lower away," directed Mr.
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