'It means youth—the treasure you have,' said Othmar. 'Do not want any other. They have tried to teach you discontent. They have been very wrong. You have not been happy here.'
'No—not quite,' she said, afraid to seem ungrateful, yet obliged to tell the truth.
'No; you have felt remorse; you have been wounded by neglect; and you have been allured by the artificial and the insincere. Take warning: the world would give you just what this house has given you.'
The Una boat was at the foot of the stairs; its little sail was spread, there were cushions and shawls inside it; the men of the household whom Othmar had summoned had made everything ready, and waited there.
'Tell your lady,' he continued to his men, 'that I am gone on the sea; shall be back probably before dawn.'
Then he waved them aside and launched his boat into deep water.
Othmar gave his hand to Damaris; she touched it, but vaulted into the boat without his aid. When she saw that he followed her she grew scarlet, and her large eyes opened with that look of amaze which so well became her.
'You—you——' she stammered, and could utter no other word.
'Certainly,' said Othmar. 'Since you have been deceived into coming to my house, I will at least see you safely back to your own.'
She was still so astonished that she could form no protest and shape no thanks.