Page:Ten Years Later.djvu/218

206 could possibly imagine that the French gentleman would have any other accounts to settle with his grace than those of friendship. Buckingham desired the captain to be told to hold himself in readiness, but that, as the sea was beautiful, and as the day promised a splendid sunset, he did not intend to go on board until nightfall, and would avail himself of the evening to enjoy a walk on the strand. He added also that, finding himself in such excellent company, he had not the least desire to hasten his embarkation.

As he said this he pointed out to those who surrounded him the magnificent spectacle which the sky presented, of a deep purple color in the horizon, and an amphitheater of fleecy clouds ascending from the sun's disk to the zenith, assuming the appearance of a range of mountains, whose summits were heaped one upon another. The whole amphitheater was tinged at its base by a kind of blood-like foam, fading away into opal and pearl-like tints, in proportion as the gaze was carried from the base to the summit. The sea, too, was tinged with the same reflection, and upon the crest of every azure wave danced a point of light, like a ruby exposed to the reflection of a lamp. The mildness of the evening, the sea breezes, so dear to contemplative minds, a stiff breeze setting in from the east and blowing in harmonious gusts; then, in the distance, the black outline of the yacht with its rigging traced upon the impurpled background of the sky — while, dotting the horizon, might be seen here and there vessels with their trimmed sails, like the wings of a sea-gull about to plunge. The spectacle, indeed, well merited admiration. A crowd of curious idlers followed the richly dressed attendants, among whom they mistook the intendant and the secretary for the master and his friend. As for Buckingham, who dressed very simply, in a gray satin vest, and doublet of violet-colored velvet, wearing his hat thrust over his eyes, and without orders or embroidery, he was taken no more notice of than De Wardes, who was dressed in black like an attorney.

The duke's attendants had received directions to have a boat in readiness at the jetty head, and to watch the embarkation of their master, without approaching him until either he or his friend should summon them. "Whatever may happen," he had added, laying a stress upon these words, so that they might not be misunderstood. Having walked a few paces upon the strand, Buckingham said to De Wardes, "I think it is now time to take leave of each other. The tide, you perceive, is rising; ten minutes hence