“Madame, I am the humblest of your servants, and must obey you,” said the admiral, bowing deeply as he fell behind the carriage.
“A deused fine woman! I’m glad that she is a widow, and a fugitive, and the rest of it. I wonder—humph—” thought the admiral, falling into a day-dream, in which the fair person of Madame Pezzilini formed the principal figure.
Clearly, “that thoughtless boy” was in danger of forming an indiscreet attachment!
While they passed slowly over the beautiful downs, the bright sky became gradually overcast, and low mutterings of thunder reverberated around the horizon.
Once more the admiral approached the carriage-window to say:
“We shall have a storm, madame. Shall I order your coachman to drive faster?”
“Certainly, Sir Ira. I only desired to be driven slowly that we might enjoy the lovely afternoon, but since it grows dark and stormy, let us get on by all means, especially as you are exposed to the weather. Had you not better get into the carriage, and let my servant Antonio take your horse?” inquired the princess.
“I thank you, madame; and should the storm really overtake us, I will gladly avail myself of your permission to do so; but I hope that we shall get under shelter before it breaks upon us,” replied the admiral; and then calling to the coachman, “Drive like the deuse, Ned,” he again fell behind.
The sky grew darker and darker, the thunder rolled louder and nearer, and though Ned really drove his horses as if the Evil One were in chase of him, he had only made the half circuit of the park wall, and turned into the circular avenue of elms leading to the house, before the black, overhanging canopy of clouds was suddenly broken by a blinding flash of lightning, followed by a stunning crash of thunder and falling deluge of rain.
The admiral spurred his steed, the coachman whipped his horses, and in two minutes they reached the house. The admiral sprang from his horse, assisted the princess to alight from the carriage, and led her into the house, just in time to escape another flash of lightning, peal of thunder, and whirl of rain.