“Yes, lord,” chorused the guards obediently, when Wylie had translated the speech.
“I don’t believe they understand what I mean. What’s that end man grinning for? Do you all understand?”
“Oh yes, lord, we understand perfectly!” and as the Admiral turned on his heel, the furtive grins became broad ones. He made no further attempt to shake the determination of his guests, but as they were embarking he put a note into Mr Suter’s hand.
“Give that to Mr Cotway at the monastery, and tell him I will endorse any arrangement he makes.”
The incident passed without remark, for there was a general depression pervading the ship. The officers bade the visitors farewell as if they were predestined victims, and a faint cheer which broke out among the men was quickly silenced. Zoe, always sensitive to mental atmosphere, shivered as she sat in the boat, though the sun was only beginning to decline. These impartial observers, who would have liked to help but were forced to oppose, were so plainly convinced that nothing but failure was before Maurice and his cause. And failure, in the circumstances, meant——? A little frightened sigh broke from Zoe’s lips, and Wylie turned and looked at her. He asked her if she was cold, and she did not guess that he had read her thoughts until they had passed through Skandalo, and were on their way to Hagiamavra. Then she found him beside her mule.
“I suppose,” he said in a low voice, “there is no hope even now of your consenting to ease our minds by going on board the fleet—you and Princess Theophanis and Con, I mean, of course?”
“What! forsake Maurice now?” cried Zoe. “Certainly not.”
“But think what a comfort it would be to him—to all of us—to know that you were safe. How can a man fight his best when his wife and sister are in the most frightful danger? And then the necessity of dividing our forces,—the monastery must always be guarded, you know, however badly the men may be wanted elsewhere. And after all, what is to be the end of it?”
“You would really be glad if we left you and took refuge with the Admiral?” she asked meditatively.
“Glad? I could sing for joy!” he cried.