Thus it chanced that Jerome returned alone, returned smoking a prime weed, and possibly filled with the thought of a quiet little flirtation with the general's charming niece, whose cold treatment of his Beau Brummel advances had rather piqued his spirit of romantic interest, and aroused his manly desire for conquest—returned so quietly that his approach was quite unobserved by the two lovers among the steamer chairs on the quarter deck until his head and shoulders loomed dimly into view above the top of the short ladder.
CHAPTER XIII.
ADONIS ON A NEW TACK.
Ordinarily it took considerable to surprise Jerome Wellington—he had such good control over his nervous system that he could take in a philosophical manner much that might have rattled a less collected customer.
In plainer words he had studied the art of appearing cool under all conditions.
As an adventurer with an enviable record for successful achievements behind him he had many times found this accomplishment very useful in carrying out the bold designs necessary to the fulfillment of his game.
For once at least Jerome was obliged to confess to weakening—for once his confidence appeared to have overshot its mark, and he even doubted the positive evidence of his senses.
He could have sworn that, as his head arose above the level of the quarter deck he positively saw a common fellow in the dress of a sailor, standing very very close to the beautiful niece of General Porfidio—more than this, that he actually had the audacity to raise her hand to his lips and kiss it—Jerome knew full well what a kiss was like, and could not be deceived in the sound of one, even when simply pressed upon a lady's hand.
Indignation filled his noble breast.