“I am rejoiced to hear it,” said Justin.
“I have caused inquiries to be made, and find that there are no homeward-bound ships in the harbor. So this young lady, I am selfishly glad to know, has no option but to go on with us for the present,” added the captain.
“Unless she prefers to accept the hospitality tendered her by the Burneys; in which case she can remain at Silver Tree Villa, and wait for a homeward-bound ship. What do you say, Miss Conyers?” inquired Justin, turning toward her.
“I say that, with the captain’s kind permission, I will stay where I am,” replied Britomarte.
And so that matter was settled.
CHAPTER XXXV.
THE CHASE.
With the first tide the next morning the ship sailed.
The weather kept its promise and was very fine.
The ship steered northeast, flying before a fresh wind at the rate of ten or eleven knots an hour.
And all day long our passengers lounged upon the deck, reading, promenading or chatting; and all the evening they played whist in the captain’s cabin.