'You are not afraid to go on the sea in an open boat?' he asked her. 'The water is like glass, and there is a full moon.'
'Afraid—on the sea!'
She could have laughed at the idea; the sea was her comrade and playfellow, and had never harmed her. She was no more afraid of its storms than of Clovis's teeth.
'Then you shall go home,' he said briefly. 'Come with me.'
'I can go home?' she exclaimed in ecstasy.
'Yes, if you are not afraid of an open boat; there are no other means.'
'Oh, I can sail it myself! I steer with my foot, and sail very well.'
'You shall not go wholly alone,' said Othmar with a smile. 'I regret that to speed the parting guest is the only form of old-fashioned hospitality which it is possible for me to show you.'
Damaris hesitated a moment.
'Must I not say farewell to Madame?'