Vainly did his captive mutter "that it was nothing; that he was only too glad to have had the opportunity," &c., Colonel Denis was not to be denied, and he led him off, nolens volens, to make formal acquaintance with the island beauty at last.
Miss Denis was sitting on the steps of the bungalow feeding a tame peacock, but as she saw her father approaching with a visitor in tow, she stood up, rather shyly, to receive them. She looked quite different to-day (naturally). Her dress was soft, cream-white muslin, a heavy Indian silver belt encircled her slender waist, her hair was bound round her head in thick plaits, her countenance was serene—and marvellously pretty. It struck Mr. Lisle's artist eye that she and her pet peacock would make a very effective picture, with that glimpse of blue sea and palms as their background.
Of course she had a conviction that this spare, sunburnt man following her father was the redoubtable bête-noire, who, although she had been two months in the settlement, she had never yet met with face to face, save in the gloom on that eventful evening.
After a little talk about the storm and the picnic, they adjourned indoors and sat in the shady drawing-room, whilst Sawmy brought in afternoon tea.
"How do you like this part of the world, Miss Denis?" asked her visitor. "No doubt you are tired of the question by this time?"
"I like it extremely; so much that I believe I could live here all my life."
Mr. Lisle smiled incredulously and slightly raised his brows.
"Yes," in reply to his expression. "Where could you find a more lovely spot—a kind of earthly Paradise?"
"And a land where it is always afternoon," quoted her companion; "but you will probably get tired of it in six months, and be glad enough to stretch your wings."
"No, indeed"—indignantly—"why should I? I have everything I want here, and every wish fulfilled." She paused, became exceedingly red, as if she were afraid she had been too gushing to this stranger.