"Mr. Brett, of course," said Edith, in her steady, even tones, "did not trouble to include us, uncle, because we shall be on the yacht first. A woman can always pack up much better than a man, you know, and I will look after you, dear."
Brett gave one glance at her flushed and smiling face, and forthwith abandoned argument as useless.
An hour later the Blue-Bell was skimming merrily past the outer lighthouse in Marseilles bay.
CHAPTER XIX
THE RACE
For a wonder, the Gulf of Lyons was not boisterous. They had a pleasant journey through the night, and Daubeney assured them that his handsome yacht was doing twelve knots an hour without being pressed.
Next morning they reached the Straits of Bonifacio, and here they had to slacken speed somewhat, for the navigation of that rocky channel was difficult and dangerous. Far behind them they could see a huge steamer approaching. As the morning wore, this vessel came nearer, and Daubeney, important now in his capacity of commander, announced that she was the P. and O. steamship Ganges, bound for Brindisi and the East, via the Straits of Messina.
"She left Marseilles at a late hour last night," he said, "and will call at Brindisi for the Indian mails."