“I hardly know what to do,” he said in a low business-like tone. “I dare not leave you without some one to manage the boat, or I would go in.”
“Yes, yes, pray go!” she said excitedly, “Never mind us.”
“We could each take an oar and keep the boat here,” said Madelaine quickly, “we can both row.”
“No, really; I’ll manage the boat,” said Pradelle.
“I think you had better leave it to the ladies, Mr Pradelle,” said Leslie coldly. “They know the coast.”
“Well really, sir, I—”
“This is no time for interference,” cried Madelaine with a flush of excitement, and she caught hold of an oar. “Louie dear, quick!”
The other oar was resigned, and as Leslie passed aft, he gave Louise one quick look, reading in her face, as he believed, trust and thankfulness and then dread.
“No, no, Mr Leslie, I hardly dare let you go,” she faltered.
Plash!