Meanwhile, Courtenay had turned to go for you, when we heard a shout
from Gray; two of the Chileans had cast off the ropes which kept the
boat alongside. Gray, who was fending her from the ship with the
boat-hook, jabbed one fellow in the face with it; but he was too late.
The boat raced off into the darkness. And here we are!"
That Christobal left several things unsaid Elsie knew quite well. He
plumed himself on the reserve he had acquired from his English mother,
though in all matters pertaining to nationality he was a true hidalgo.
Indeed, there was a touch of vanity in the way he examined the sparkle
of the champagne he now poured into Elsie's empty glass. He
scrutinized the wine with the air of a connoisseur. He was looking for
the gas to rise in three or four well-defined spirals. And he nodded
doubtfully, before drinking it, as one might say:
"The right brand, but of what year?"
Then it dawned on the girl that both her elderly friend and she herself
were accepting an extraordinary situation with remarkable nonchalance.
"How many of us remain on the ship?" she asked.
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