A low hoarse sigh, as if one had whispered while suffering pain the word “Hah!” and then with dilated eyes the two girls sat watching the black opening for what seemed a terrible interval of time, before, to their intense relief, there came a shout of laughter, followed by the appearance of Leslie, who swam out looking stern, and closely followed by Harry.
“It is not the sort of fun I can appreciate, Miss Vine,” said Leslie, turning as he reached the stern of the boat.
“Well, I know that,” cried Harry mockingly. “Scotchmen never can appreciate a joke.”
“There, ladies, what did I tell you?” cried Pradelle triumphantly.
There was no reply, and the visitor from London winced, for his presence in the boat seemed to be thoroughly de trop.
“Miss Vine—Miss Van Heldre,” said Leslie quietly, “will you change places now? Get right aft, and we will climb in over the bows.”
“But the boat?” faltered Louise, whose emotion was so great that she could hardly trust herself to speak.
“We’ll see to that,” said Leslie. “Your brother and I will row back.”
It did not seem to trouble him now that the two girls took their places, one on either side of Pradelle, while as soon as they were seated he climbed in streaming with water, seating himself on the gunwale, Harry climbing in on the other side.
“Harry, how could you?” cried Louise, now, with an indignant look.