"Of course, I shan't!" cried Jessica. "You must do it yourself!"
Once more Carlita's eyes wandered out to the sunlight, she who had lived under its scorching rays for the greater part of her life, and loved it, then she turned wearily to her desk and again dipped the pen in ink.
What should she say to him? How begin a note of acceptance to this man? She shivered, and then became conscious that the ink had dried upon her pen again. She thrust it back into the well, realizing that thought would accomplish nothing, in this instance; she must trust to inspiration.
"So charming an invitation could not be refused on a day like this," she wrote, hastily. "I love the sea. Expect us promptly at eleven. I accept for Mrs. Chalmers and Jessica as well as myself. With gratitude for the thought that suggested so delightful an excursion,
Carlita."
She dispatched it to the messenger, and then the details of costuming was begun, Jessica almost like a child in the delight of anticipation.
And very chic they looked in their pretty gowns as they stood upon the old pier below the Bellevue Morgue, the breeze almost too light to even wave the skirts of their dresses.
Dudley Maltby, Colonel Washburn and Leith were waiting for them, with the pretty bright dory at the foot of the stairs swaying gently on the water, manned by two sailors in fresh, artistic costume.
"How good of you to come!" exclaimed Leith in a low tone, as he pressed Carlita's hand. "I was so afraid you wouldn't, that it seemed to me the messenger was gone a week. Come, let me put you in the dory. Take care. That step is wet and may be slippery. There is the 'Eolus' lying over there. Doesn't she look proud of the trust I am putting in her today by allowing her to carry so precious a life?"
"She is very—handsome," stammered Carlita.
In spite of the brilliancy of the day, she was wishing with all her heart that she had not come; but as her eye caught sight of the yacht she sighed with a pleasure which she would have been more than human not to feel.