Christobal protested loudly.
"I thought this was to be a workers' meal," he said. "Tollemache has
stolen a march on us. He is quite a Bond-street lounger in appearance."
"Dirty job, stoking," said Tollemache.
"I seem to have been the only lazy person on board during the night,"
cried Elsie.
"Do you know what time it is?" asked Courtenay.
"No; about ten o'clock, I fancy."
"It is not yet half-past four."
The blue eyes opened wide. "Are you in earnest?" she demanded.
He showed her his watch. Then she perceived that the sun had not yet
risen high enough to illumine the wooded crest of the opposite cliff.
The snow-clad hills, the blue glaciers, the wonderful clearness of
atmosphere, led her to believe that the day was much more advanced.
Land and sea shone in a strange crystal light. None could tell whence
it came. It seemed to her, in that solemn hour, to be the reflection
of heaven itself. By quick transition, her thoughts flew back to the
previous night. Scarce four hours had elapsed since she had waited in
the captain's cabin, amidst the drenching spray and tearing wind, while
he took Isobel, and Mrs.
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