Miss Anstrade knitted her brows as she looked at the speaker.
“You know my wish,” she said wearily, “is to reach Rio as soon as possible. I understand you to say that the cargo of yonder ship would realise a fortune, and it seems to me if I demanded from my struggling countrymen money in return for services, they would be under no indebtedness to me. If we are to weaken our strength to save that ship I would prefer to give it up without any question of reward.”
“But you have no objection to the crew sharing in any prize money that may be offered,” said Commins quickly, with a side glance at the Captain.
“None whatever,” she said coolly.
“And you consent to our saving the ship?”
“I suppose so, though I clearly see my opinion would not be considered if it were opposed to the step.”
“Not so, madam,” said Captain Pardoe. “That ship and its cargo should realise 90,000 pounds, but if you say leave it, I will send her to the bottom, so that she shall not fall into the enemy’s hands.”
“Do as you wish,” she said, with a sad smile, and turned away with a sigh.
The Captain and Mr Commins continued eagerly to discuss the matter, while Hume, who had been standing near with Webster, plucked the latter by the sleeve to draw him aside.
“Well, what do you think of this new scheme?”