Wyndham went back to his own cabin, and was tortured all night by a desire, sane or otherwise, he could not tell which, to leave the Esperance and return to London and Valentine.
The lading of the vessel went on ceaselessly, and sharp at eight the following morning she weighed anchor and steamed away. Wyndham had lain awake all night, but at seven in the morning he fell into a doze. The doze deepened into quietness, into peaceful and refreshing slumber: the lines departed from his young face; he had not undressed, but flung himself as he was on his berth. When the Esperance was flying merrily through the water, Captain Jellyby had time to give Wyndham a thought.
"That is a nice lad," he said to himself. "He has a nice face, young too. I don't suppose he has seen five-and-twenty, but he knows what trouble means. My name is not Jack Jellyby if that young man does not know what pretty sharp trouble means. Odd, too, for he's rich and has married the chief's daughter, and what a fuss the chief made about his reception here. No expense to be spared; every comfort given, every attention shown, and his orders to be obeyed within reason. Ay, my pretty lad, there's the rub—within reason. You looked keen and vexed enough last night when I had to hasten the hour for the departure of the Esperance. I wonder what the chief meant by that. Well, I'll go and have a look at young Wyndham; he may as well come with me and see the last of his native shore. As the morning is fine it will be a pretty sight."
The captain went and begged for admission to Wyndham's cabin. There was no answer, so he opened the door and poked his red smiling face round.
"Bless me, the boy's asleep," he said; and he came up and took a good look at his new passenger.
Gerald was dreaming now, and a smile played about his lips. Suddenly he opened his eyes and said:—
"Yes, Valentine, yes, I'm coming!" and sprang to his feet.
The captain was standing with his legs a little apart, looking at him. The vessel gave a lurch, and Wyndham staggered.
"Are we off?" he said. "Good God, are we really off?"
"We were off an hour ago, young sir. Come up on deck and see what a pretty coast line we have just here."