"Without a qualm!" she repeated, in a low voice—"without a qualm! Mon Dieu!"
She turned and looked towards the Adriatic.
"Where are we?" she said, imperiously.
For a gesture of command on Cliffe's part, unseen by her, had sent the boat eastward, spinning before the wind. The lagoon was no longer tranquil. It was covered with small waves; and the roar of the outer sea, though still far off, was already in their ears. The mist lifting showed white, distant crests of foam on a tumbling field of water, and to the north, clothed in tempestuous purple, the dim shapes of mountains.
Kitty raised herself, and beckoned towards the captain of the bragozzo.
"Giuseppe!"
"Commanda, Eccellenza!"
The man came forward.
With a voice sharp and clear, she gave the order to return at once to Venice. Cliffe watched her, the veins on his forehead swelling. She knew that he debated with himself whether he should give a counter-order or no.
"A Venezia!" said Kitty, waving her hand towards the sailors, her eyes shining under the tangle of her hair.