"You won't forget--the Alhambra you know--best shop in London--lace veils cheaper than----address will always find me--Piccadilly Circus, on----cheap hotel; just off--Margate's the jolliest--Oh! the devil take the--nicest girl you ever--set foot on shore," and so on, until Ronald, who stood by Carmela, could not help laughing. The Marchese was looking after his own things, and as Ronald had his luggage in perfect order, he had Carmela all to himself.
"So this is the Thames," he said, looking at the dull, leaden stream, flowing between the dingy banks.
"The Thames of commerce, not of poetry," she corrected, smiling, "you must come down to Marlow and see the real river."
"May I?" he asked, eagerly, thinking he detected an invitation in her tones.
"Of course you may," she answered, carelessly. "I don't control your movements."
"Not at present, but you might," he replied, hurriedly.
There was an awkward pause, luckily broken by Pat, who came rushing along with his usual impetuosity.
"Ah Miss Cotoner, an' is that you?" said Pat, dolefully; "the best of friends must part, and we may niver meet again."
"We might," answered Carmela, with a laugh; "the world is small."
"Begad, I wish me heart was," said Ryan, sadly; "it's large enough to hold all the girls on board--you included."