A couple of seamen carrying baggage appeared from behind the deck-house just then, which naturally cut short their confidences, and Austin made his way with Jacinta's hand upon his arm towards the boat. He was a trifle bewildered, as well as exultant, for this was quite a new Jacinta, one, in fact, he had never encountered before. She gave him another proof of it when he made an observation that afforded her the opening as they were rowed across the harbour.
"No," she said, quite disregarding Mrs. Hatherly, "I am not going to give you any advice or instructions now you belong to me. After managing everybody else's affairs successfully for ever so long I made a deplorable mess of my own, you see."
"Then what am I to do when we have difficulties to contend with?" said Austin. "We may have a few now and then."
"You," said Jacinta sweetly, "will have to get over them. I know you can do that now, and I am just going to watch you and be pleased with everything. Isn't that the correct attitude, Mrs. Hatherly?"
The little lady beamed upon them both. "It is rather an old-fashioned one, my dear," she said. "Still, I am far from sure that it doesn't work out as well as the one occasionally adopted by young women now."
THE END.
Transcriber's Note: The following typographical errors present in the original edition have been corrected.
In Chapter II, "Don Erminio," said Jacinto, "evidently doesn't approve of his dinner." was changed to "Don Erminio," said Jacinta, "evidently doesn't approve of his dinner.", A bit doosoor on the coal trade is one thing, but you was—insultin' was changed to A bit doosoor on the coal trade is one thing, but yon was—insultin', as he steamer rolled was changed to as the steamer rolled, and our launcha ready was changed to our lancha ready.
In Chapter III, Erminio Oliviera, the Estremeduro's captain was changed to Erminio Oliviera, the Estremedura's captain, and if Jacinto ever does was changed to if Jacinta ever does.