‘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.’