‘Oh, I shall hope to see her too; you won’t monopolise her, you know. Just now I’m for a cruise.’
‘You’re a philosophical lover,’ he laughed. I laughed also, shrugging my shoulders.
‘Then, if you’ll excuse me—no, don’t move, don’t move—I’ll give orders for our start, and come back for another cigarette with you.’
‘You’re most obliging,’ said he, and sank back on the seat that ran round the little saloon.
At what particular point in the conversation which I have recorded my resolution was definitely taken, I cannot say, but it was complete and full-blown before the captain accepted my invitation. The certainty of a separation of such monstrous length from Phroso and the chance of her receiving harsh treatment were more than I could consent to contemplate. I must play for my own hand. The island meant to be true to its nature to the last; my departure from it was to be an escape, not a decorous leave-taking. I was almost glad; yet I hoped that I should not get my good friend the captain into serious trouble. Well, better the captain than Phroso, anyhow; and I laughed to myself, when I thought of how I should redeem my promise and give him plenty of time to talk to Phroso.
I ran rapidly up to the deck. Denny and Hogvardt were there.
‘How soon can you have full steam up?’ I asked in an urgent cautious whisper.
‘In ten minutes now,’ said Hogvardt, suddenly recognising my eagerness.