Page:Guy Boothby--A Bid for Fortune.djvu/310

300 I was placed aboard her. A neatly arranged cabin was allotted to me and everything I could possibly want was given me. But I could gather nothing of where we were going or what my fate was to be. About midnight we got under weigh and commenced our voyage. Our destination was the island where you found me."

"And how did Nikola treat you during the voyage and your stay on Pipa Lannu?" I asked.

"With invariable courtesy," she replied. "A more admirable host no one could desire. I had but to express a wish for anything and it was instantly forth coming. When we were clear of land I was allowed on deck, my meals were served to me in a cabin adjoining my own, and a stewardess was there to wait upon me. As far as my own personal treatment went I have nothing to complain of. But I was so thankful to get away. I had begun to imagine all sorts of horrors."

"Well, thank goodness, it's all done with now!"

And so it was, for a week later we were back in Sydney again, and the eventful voyage was over.

Then came our marriage. But with your permission I will only give you a bare outline of it. It took place at the Cathedral, the Primate officiating. The Marquis was kind enough to act as my best man, while the Colonial Secretary of course gave his daughter away. But now I think of it, there is one point I must touch upon in connection with this happy occasion, and that was the arrival of a present on the evening prior to the event.

We were sitting in the drawing-room when the butler brought in a square parcel on a salver and handed it to Phyllis.

"Another present, I expect," she said, and began to untie the string that bound it.