"Yes, my dear madame, very pressing," replied the ship owner, gallantly. "It is doubtless to monsieur's wife I have the honour of speaking, and in that case, I—"
"Pardon me, monsieur, I am only the housekeeper."
"What! the cap—"
But the first syllable of the word captain had not left the ship owner's lips before the head gunner shouted at the top of his voice, at the same time seizing Suzanne suddenly by the arm:
"In Heaven's name, look! See there!"
The housekeeper was so startled that she uttered a shrill cry and did not even hear the dread syllable the visitor had uttered, but when she had partially recovered from her alarm, she exclaimed, sharply:
"Really, this is intolerable, Segoffin. You gave me such a scare I am all of a tremble now."
"But look over there," insisted the head gunner, pointing toward the cliffs; "upon my word of honour, one can hardly believe one's eyes."
"What is it? What do you see?" asked the ship owner, gazing intently in the direction indicated.
"It seems impossible, I admit. I wouldn't have believed it myself if anybody had told me."