United States or Malaysia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"It would be a great bore if that fellow does turn out to be a Frenchman," observed Voules to Lord Reginald. "I was in hopes that you would be able to get leave to pay another visit to Elverston Hall. It would be a great pleasure to accompany you."
Though Voules had never shown the white feather, he was decidedly prudent, and he remembered the Maria's limited crew, which, though sufficient to navigate her, was not strong enough to man the guns. The Marie looked more formidable than she really was, and as she approached the stranger made all sail to escape.
It was hoped by this that the smugglers would be deceived, and would attempt the run at the spot named in the private information which had been received. "This is dull work!" whispered Voules to Lord Reginald. "I thought we should be up and doing long ago." "Dull enough! I vote we set off by ourselves, to try and find out what the smugglers are about," answered Lord Reginald.
We have been gaining on her faster than ever lately." "If the wind catches us and whips the masts out of the ship, the `holding on' will do us little good," replied Voules. "Well, we will see about it by-and-by," said Lord Reginald, who was on the point of going down below to breakfast, the steward having just announced that the meal was ready. The midshipman Lucas was left in charge of the deck.
However, the dog wagged his tail, and very readily swallowed a few of the pieces cut out of the shell, which his master threw him. He had now to consider what was next to be done. His eye fell on the body of poor Voules.
"But Lord Reginald Oswald cannot walk all the way to Elverston Hall, and we must have a carriage of some sort or other, my good woman," exclaimed Voules to the landlady. "Then I must send out and find my man, who has been carting coals for old Captain Knockills on the top of the hill there.
Voules, a licenced victualler, very kindly drove over in a gig from Sommershill with a plump, well-dressed wife to give the bride away. One or two total strangers drifted into the church and sat down observantly far away. This sprinkling of people seemed only to enhance the cool brown emptiness of the church, the rows and rows of empty pews, disengaged prayerbooks and abandoned hassocks.
Among those present were myself, my man Voules, a Mrs. Vanderley, her daughter Stella, Mrs. Vanderley's maid Pilbeam and George. George was a dear old pal of mine. In fact, it was I who had worked him into the party.
At this last remark, Voules was nearly boiling over with rage, but just then, as the whole mess was against him, he saw that it would not do to give away to his feelings, and Paddy Logan continued
"Just see, Voules, if that young fellow is more amenable to reason than that sulky old boatman." "I'll try him," answered Voules. "Come here, you young chap. If you will carry Lord Reginald's portmanteau I will shoulder mine; we must not delay the boat any longer."
Word Of The Day