“I don’t see how you can jest, Marcel, when any fellow-creature, not to say David Lindsay, is in peril,” exclaimed Gloria, reproachfully.
“Do you, then, suppose, my dear, that I am capable of jesting with the peril of any fellow-creature? Is not my jesting proof enough that there is no peril?” inquired the colonel, deprecatingly.
She did not answer him. She had twisted her head quite around to look back on the figure of the young man, who was striding fast behind the carriage.
And during the remainder of their rapid drive she continued from time to time to look back at the striding figure, until at length they had crossed the long stretch of road and reached the higher and broader portion of the promontory that was so soon to be turned by the high tide into an island.
Then for the last time she looked and saw that though the lowest part of the isthmus was covered with the waves, yet as David Lindsay was already ascending the rise towards the promontory, he was out of danger.
It was nearly dark when they reached the house, which was already lighted up for the reception of the travelers.
Miss Agrippina de Crespigney, attended by Sophia and Lamia, stood in the hall to welcome them home.
She took Gloria by the waist, kissed her on both cheeks and said:
“You are looking very well, my dear. How much you have grown!”
And then Gloria returned her caresses and her compliments, saying: