Page:Doctor Syn - A Smuggler Tale of the Romney Marsh.djvu/283

 "A devilish climate, too, for the complexion, isn't it?" stroking his smooth, weak chin.

"La, sir, indeed if you say that, I must take it as a poor compliment to myself."

"Do not mistake me, I beg," urged the officer, "for in your case the Indian sun has been most gentle. He has kissed you with a light hand—er—a light mouth, indeed. Lucky sun, lucky sun!"

"You are being vastly gentle with my complexion, sir, but I perceive you to be a most accomplished courtier and a turner of beautiful compliments."

"Madam, I speak from my heart, I assure you."

"Whoever heard of Captain Tuffton possessing one?" tittered Mrs. Whyllie.

"You wrong me, Madam, I assure you," declared the glorious one with conviction. "My poor heart is too large for my scarlet tunic, I assure you. It was an empty shell this morning, I confess, but the beauty of your accomplished niece, which it has been drinking in with rapture, has filled that poor receptacle and made it swell and stretch with the very throes of deep emotion."

"La, sir, how prettily you turn the English tongue! How the Indians would adore you, sir!"

"Pooh-pooh, indeed," said Mrs. Whyllie with a great show of decorum, "you must not take for gospel what the captain says. He is a very prince of dandies; indeed, he is second only to the Regent and Mister