Again, will it be credited, Alexander, firmly believing that within a few hours he must kill or be killed, still ate and drank freely at this lunch. And Tredegar followed his example. Perhaps they did it that the sated stomach might soothe the brain. At any rate when they rose from the table, they went down to the lower deck to a spot set apart and sacred to smoking, and there they smoked out several cigars. After that they went to the cabin, turned into their respective berths, and went to sleep and slept until the ringing of the dinner-bell aroused them.
They arranged their toilettes and went into the saloon. And again, they sought seats as far as possible from the table occupied by Prince Ernest.
It might have been the invigorating effects of the sea-air upon our party; but they certainly sat down and made as good a dinner at seven o’clock as if they had had no luncheon at two. After sitting an hour over their wine, they finished with each a cup of coffee, and then went up on deck.
The sun had set, but the western horizon and the sea were still suffused with his lingering crimson lights. A few stars were coming out.
Alexander and Francis Tredegar sat down in the after part of the boat, and entered into conversation, talking of anything rather than of the approaching duel.
“What time shall we reach St. Aubins do you think?” inquired Alick.
“I have never been on this route before, so I cannot tell you of my own knowledge. From what I have been able to pick up from observations dropped by those that are more familiar with the voyage, I judge we shall be in port somewhere about midnight.”
“So late in the night? that will be very inconvenient.”
“Yes; but unless we could have arrived before sunset, which was clearly impossible, we could have done nothing more to-day. We must stay at the best hotel to-night, and get our little affair quietly over in the morning.”
“The sooner the better,” muttered Alexander.