Phroso Part 53

The gunboat was evidently enjoying a thorough cleaning; the sailors, half-naked, were scouring her decks, and some of the soldiers were a.s.sisting lazily.

'The officers have landed to explore the island, my lord. When Mouraki was alive, they were not allowed to land at all.'

'Mouraki's death makes a good many differences, eh, Watkins?'

'That it does, my lord,' rejoined Watkins, with a decorous smile.

I left him, and, having landed, strolled up to the house. The yacht was to have her steam up ready to start by the time I returned. I sauntered leisurely through the street, such of the islanders as I met saluting me in a most friendly fashion. Certainly times were changed for me in Neopalia, and I chid myself for the ingrat.i.tude expressed in my sigh. Neopalia in its new placidity was very pleasant.

Very pleasant also was Phroso, as she came to meet me from the house, radiant and shy. We wasted no time there, but at once returned to the harbour, for the dancing water tempted us: thus we found ourselves on board an hour before the appointed time, and I took Phroso down below to show her the cabin, in which, under the escort of Kortes's sister, she was to make the voyage. Denny looked in on us for a moment, announced that the fires were getting up, and that we could start in half-an-hour. Hogvardt appeared with his account of expenditure, and disappeared far more quickly. Meanwhile, we talked as lovers will--and ought--about things that do not need record; for, not being worth remembering, they are ever remembered, as is the way of this perverse world.

Presently, however, Denny hailed me, telling me that the captain desired to see me. I begged Phroso to stay where she was--I should be back in a moment--and went on deck. The captain was there, and he began to draw me aside. Perceiving that he had something to say, I proposed to him that we should go to the little smoking-room forward.

He acquiesced, and as soon as we were seated, and Watkins had brought coffee and cigarettes, he turned to me with an aspect of sincere gratification, as he said:

'My dear Lord Wheatley, I am rejoiced to tell you that I was quite right as to the view likely to be taken of your position. I have received, by the launch, instructions telegraphed to Rhodes, and they enable me to set you free at once. In point of fact, there is no disposition in official quarters to raise any question concerning your share in recent events. You are, therefore, at liberty to suit your own convenience entirely, and I need not detain you an hour.'

'My dear captain, I'm infinitely obliged to you. I'm much indebted for your good offices.'

'Indeed, no. I merely reported what had occurred. Shall you leave to-day?'

'Oh, no, not for a day or two. To-day, you see, I'm going for a little pleasure expedition. I wish you'd join us;' for I felt in a most friendly mood towards him.

'Indeed I wish I could,' said he, with equal friendliness; 'but I'm obliged to go up to the house at once.'

'To the house? What for?'

'To communicate to the Lady Euphrosyne my instructions concerning her.'

I was about to put a cigarette to my lips, but I stopped, suspending it in mid-air.

'I beg your pardon,' said I, 'but have you instructions concerning her?'

He smiled, and laid a hand on my arm with an apologetic air.

'I don't think that there is any cause for serious uneasiness,' said he, 'though the delay will, I fear, be somewhat irksome to you. I must say, also, that it is impossible--yes, I admit that it is impossible--altogether to ignore the serious disturbances which have occurred; and these Neopalians are old offenders. Still I'm confident that the lady will be most leniently treated, especially in view of the relation in which she now stands to you.'

'What are your instructions?' I asked shortly.

'I am instructed to bring her with me, as soon as I have made provisional arrangements for the order of the island, and to carry her to Smyrna, where I am ordered to sail. From there she will be sent home, to await the result of an inquiry. But, pray, don't be uneasy. I have no doubt at all that she will be acquitted of blame or, at least, escape with a reprimand or a nominal penalty. The delay is really the only annoying matter. Annoying to you, I mean, Lord Wheatley.'

'The delay? Is it likely to be serious?'

'Well,' admitted the captain, with a candid air, 'we don't move hastily in these matters; no, our procedure is not rapid. Still I should say that a year, or, well, perhaps eighteen months, would see an end of it. Oh, yes, I really think so.'

'Eighteen months?' I cried, aghast. 'But she'll be my wife long before that--in eighteen days, I hope.'

'Oh, no, no, my dear lord,' said he, shaking his head soothingly. 'She will certainly not be allowed to marry you until these matters are settled. But don't be vexed. You're young. You can afford to wait.

What, after all, is a year or eighteen months at your time of life?'

'It's a great deal worse,' said I, 'than at any other time of life.'

But he only laughed gently and gulped down the remainder of his coffee. Then he went on in his quiet placid way:

'So I'm afraid I can't join your little excursion. I must go up to the house at once, and acquaint the lady with my instructions. She may have some preparations to make, and I must take her with me the day after to-morrow. As you see, my ship is undergoing some trifling repairs and cleaning, and I can't be ready to start before then.'

I sat silent for a moment or two, smoking my cigarette; and I looked at the placid captain out of the corner of my eye.

'I really hope you aren't much annoyed, my dear Lord Wheatley?' said he, after a moment or two.

'Oh, it's vexatious, of course,' I returned carelessly; 'but I suppose there's no help for it. But, captain, I don't see why you shouldn't join us to-day. We shall be back in the afternoon, and it will be plenty of time then to inform the Lady Phroso. She's not a fashionable woman who wants forty-eight hours to pack her gowns.'

'It's certainly a lovely morning for a little cruise,' said the captain longingly.

'And I want to point out to you the exact spot where Demetri killed the Pasha.'

'That would certainly be very interesting.'

'Then you'll come?'

'You're certain to be back in time for--?'

'Oh, you'll have plenty of time to talk to Phroso. I'll see to that.

You can send a message to her now, if you like.'

'I don't think that's necessary. If I see her this afternoon--'

'I promise you that you shall.'

'But aren't you going to see her to-day? I thought you would spend the day with her.'

'Oh, I shall hope to see her too; you won't monopolise her, you know.

Just now I'm for a cruise.'

'You're a philosophical lover,' he laughed. I laughed also, shrugging my shoulders.

'Then, if you'll excuse me--no, don't move, don't move--I'll give orders for our start, and come back for another cigarette with you.'

'You're most obliging,' said he, and sank back on the seat that ran round the little saloon.

At what particular point in the conversation which I have recorded my resolution was definitely taken, I cannot say, but it was complete and full-blown before the captain accepted my invitation. The certainty of a separation of such monstrous length from Phroso and the chance of her receiving harsh treatment were more than I could consent to contemplate. I must play for my own hand. The island meant to be true to its nature to the last; my departure from it was to be an escape, not a decorous leave-taking. I was almost glad; yet I hoped that I should not get my good friend the captain into serious trouble. Well, better the captain than Phroso, anyhow; and I laughed to myself, when I thought of how I should redeem my promise and give him plenty of time to talk to Phroso.

I ran rapidly up to the deck. Denny and Hogvardt were there.

'How soon can you have full steam up?' I asked in an urgent cautious whisper.

'In ten minutes now,' said Hogvardt, suddenly recognising my eagerness.

'Why, what's up, man?' asked Denny.

'They're going to send Phroso to Constantinople to be tried; anyhow they'd keep her there a year or more. I don't mean to stand it.'