He motioned with both his hands.
'It is no abduction,' said he. 'When you rescue a young lady with your lifeboat from a foundering craft you do not abduct her. I can understand your impatience, and forgive your irritability. Yet I had thought to have some claim upon you for a more generous, for a handsomer interpretation of my wishes. What is the reason of this extreme hurry in you to return home?'
'You surely do not require me to repeat my answer to that question!' I exclaimed, curbing my temper with an effort.
'To be sure. You are concerned for your poor dear mother. Come, Mr. Tregarthen, suppose we send news of your safety by this steamer you have reported!' His face beamed. 'Let me see—your home is—your home is——' he scratched his head. I viewed him without speaking. 'Ah, I have it—Tintrenale!' He spelt it twice or thrice. 'Hugh Tregarthen, Tintrenale. Come, the steamer shall report your safety, and then your mind will be at ease.'
'I am to understand that you refuse to transfer us?'
'Nay, never interpret the mind of another harshly. You know my wishes: every hour renders them dearer and dearer to me.'
Under all this blandness I could now perceive a spirit of resolution that was clearly no more to be influenced by me than his ship's side was to be kicked out by a blow of my foot. I turned to leave the cabin.
'If you are going on deck, will you have the kindness to send Mr. Jones to me?' said he.
I pulled the door to, and regained the poop.
'The Captain wants you,' I called to Mr. Jones, who immediately left the deck.