‘But why did you behave so strangely, my lord, when I wished you joy an hour ago on the boat?’ he asked; and it was a very natural question.
‘Oh, the truth is,’ said I, ‘that there was a little difficulty in the way then.’
‘Oh, a lover’s quarrel?’ he smiled.
‘Well, something like it,’ I admitted.
‘Everything is quite right now, I hope?’ he said politely.
‘Well, very nearly,’ said I. Then I met Denny’s eye.
‘Am I also to congratulate you?’ said Denny coldly.
There was no opportunity of explaining matters to him, the captain was too near.
‘I shall be very glad if you will,’ I said, ‘and if Hogvardt will also.’
Hogvardt shrugged his shoulders, raised his brows, smiled and observed: