Isobel uttered a little sob of terror, and Mrs. Somerville
gasped audibly, "Oh, my poor children!" Elsie, her lips parted, sat
forward on the piano-stool. Her senses seemed to have become
intensified all at once. She could see everything, hear everything.
Some of the Chileans and Spaniards crossed themselves; others swore.
Count Edouard breathed hard and muttered "Grand Dieu!" She wondered
why the captain and Mr. Tollemache, who had returned from his
stateroom, and was standing in the half light of a doorway, should
simultaneously drop their right hands into a coat pocket. Mr.
Tollemache, too, gave a queer little nod to the American, who had moved
near to Isobel and placed a hand on her shoulder. Elsie was quite sure
that Gray whispered: "For goodness' sake, don't cause a scene!" And,
indeed, he did ask Isobel and Mrs. Somerville, with some curtness, to
restrain themselves.
Courtenay, with one cold glance, chilled into silence the muttered
prayers and curses of the Chileans.
"It may be necessary, about daybreak, to endeavor to beach the ship,"
he continued. "I wish you all, therefore, to guard against possible
exposure by wearing warm clothes, especially furs and overcoats.
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