Part 46 (2/2)

Sheila said nothing. She was watching a small boat rowing steadily towards them through the dark water, with eyes that were grave and fixed.

Saltash's look followed hers, and he grimaced to himself, oddly, wryly, as a man who accomplishes a task for which he has no liking. Then in a moment he turned the conversation. ”Did you ever meet Rozelle Daubeni, the enchantress?”

Sheila's soft eyes came to him at the sudden question. ”No. I have heard of her. I have never met her. I don't want to meet her. Why?”

He threw her a daring glance. ”It would do you good to meet her. She is a born charmer if you like. She charms women as well as men--and beasts.”

”An adventuress!” said Sheila.

”Yes, an adventuress. One of the most wonderful, I should say, who ever lived. She is in Paris just now. When she comes to England--” again his look dared her--”I will take you to see her. It will be--an education for you.”

”Thank you,” Sheila said.

He laughed aloud, and suddenly stretched his hand to her with a movement of good fellows.h.i.+p. ”I'm only teasing. Don't be cross! I wouldn't take you to see her for all the gold of Ophir. She is rotten--too rotten even for me, which is saying much.”

Sheila hesitated momentarily before she gave her hand.

”Why did you speak of her? What brought her to your mind?”

He glanced again towards the little boat now drawing near to the yacht, but he did not answer her question till her hand met his.

”I have--a somewhat elastic mind,” he said then, and smiled his most baffling smile. ”It was your talk of charmers that did it. I was trying to think of all I had met.”

”All the Rozelles and the Tobies!” said Sheila, with a hard little laugh.

He gripped her hand and released it. ”I have never met more than one of each,” he said. ”Which may be the secret of their charm. Don't cla.s.s them together in your mind for a moment! Larpent's daughter may be a born charmer. Young Bunny Brian seems to think so at any rate. But she is not--and never will be--an adventuress.”

”Is Bunny Brian fond of her--really fond of her?” asked Sheila.

Saltash nodded. ”Sure thing--as Jake would say! And he's a sound chap too. I hope he'll get her.”

”She is not very likely to refuse,” said Sheila, turning from the rail.

The little boat had pa.s.sed out of sight under the lee of the yacht. A great rocket whistled skywards, and broke in a violet flare that lighted sea and sh.o.r.e. The _fete_ was over, and people were crowding on board.

The band was playing a selection from a comic opera, and a few voices were singing the careless, sentimental words.

Saltash turned with his companion. ”And now we are going to supper at The Anchor. I must get Mrs. Bolton to lead the way. Poor Jake is bored to the soul, but he's facing it like a man. Fine fellow--Jake.”

”Oh, is he a friend of yours?” Sheila asked. ”A very particular friend, I mean?”

Saltash grimaced to the stars. ”No, I don't think so. Ask Jake! He knows me better than some, that's all. And I know him.”

They left the yacht's rail and joined the on-coming throng. It was like a scene out of a fairy tale--the gaudy Chinese lanterns bobbing to and fro, the gaily-coloured crowd, the s.h.i.+ning white yacht rocking gently on the noiseless swell. Everyone was laughing. Some were singing. There was not a serious face to be seen in all the crowd that poured over the red-carpeted gangway from the quay.

”Where is Toby?” said Maud.

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