XXV
APHRODITE RISES FROM THE SEA
IN the meantime the quieting of the sea had produced a most beneficial effect upon Adele. Thanks to the kind ministrations of her mother and Miss Winchester, the thunder-gust headache had passed away as suddenly as it came. The steward entered again to open the port-holes in her state-room; a delicious breeze, soft and balmy, entered, most refreshing.
“How quickly the storm has passed,” said Adele to her mother.
“Yes, my child, and you had better leave this stuffy state-room as quickly as possible. I feel sure you will recover as soon as you breathe the invigorating air.”
“I had a whiff just now.”
“These coast storms are very fussy while they last,” said Mamma, “but I suppose ’twill be like all those along the Riviera; we often had superb nights following terrible gusts. You had better get up, Adele.”
“Do you think it safe to venture?”
“Not the slightest risk, not the slightest. I’ll ask your father to have the chair ready; you can take his arm at first.”
The soft, balmy air was again wafted in through the port, and passed with healing touch over Adele’s cheek.
“How delicious that is,” and she repeated the line: