The next instant she felt an arm round her, and a voice in her ear whispered, passionately:
"You are not frightened! We are safe!"
Then she felt herself lifted up and carried down the gangway.
She had not fainted—or had she, and were the words, "Oh, my darling, my Violet!" only creations of fancy?
CHAPTER XV.
THE SERPENT'S STING.
It is not to be supposed that Captain Howard Murpoint had deserted his post of observation at this critical time on a matter of no moment. The captain had commenced to play his game in earnest, and that he might be able to throw down one of his trump cards he had declared his intention of riding on the chestnut to the market town of Tenby.
Had he even been aware that Mr. Leicester would carry out his yachting intentions on that day it is probable that he would still have kept to his plan, for the captain was a firm believer in the proverb, "Delays are dangerous," and once assured that a step was necessary never hesitated about taking it.
Consequently after breakfast, he mounted the chestnut and rode off, waving his white, well-gloved hand to the ladies, and smiling with the serenity of a mind at ease and a heart innocent of guile.