"No such message was brought to me," he answered, severely. "It would have been better if you had left word at the office."
"I am sorry if I have caused you any anxiety," she answered, quietly. "But I met some American friends on the promenade, and have been with them on their yacht to lunch."
At the word yacht Sir Charles pricked up his ears, and a somewhat mollified expression stole over his face.
"Allow me to introduce my friend Miss Kitty Harvey," Madeline said, in her most engaging manner, "and this is her father, Mr. P. J. Harvey, of New York City, and a friend of my father's."
Sir Charles bowed very pompously, and muttered something under his breath about being delighted to meet them.
Peter J. had said nothing up to this point, but stood in the background—as a modest man should—chewing the end of a cigar.
"I can assure you, Colonel, the pleasure is reciprocated," he said, in his slowest manner, and with a twinkle in the corner of his eye. "The truth is my daughter and I have come along as a sort of deputation."
"Indeed! Will you not be seated?"
"Well, thank you. As it's as cheap to sit as to stand, and talking comes easier as a rule when you are sitting down, I guess I'll fall in with the suggestion."