Page:Ten Years Later.djvu/67

Rh TEN YEARS LATER. 67 the danger will not be greater for their royal highnesses when the wind will be in their favor." "These gentlemen have shown how great their courage is," said the admiral. "You may have observed that there was a great number of persons on shore who did not venture to accompany them. Moreover, the desire which they had to show their respect with the least possible delay to madame and her illustrious mother induced them to confront the sea, which is very tempestuous to-day, even for sailors. Tliese gentlemen, however, whom I recommend as an ex- ample for my officers to follow, can hardly be so for these ladies." Madame glanced at the Comte de Guiche, and perceived that his face was burning with confusion. This look had escaped Buckingham, who had eyes for nothing but watch- ing Norfolk, of whom he was evidently very jealous, and seemed anxious to remove the princesses from the deck of a vessel where the admiral reigned supreme. "In that case," returned Buckingham, "I appeal to madame herself." "And I, my lord," retorted the admiral, "I appeal to my own conscience, and to my own sense of responsibility. I have undertaken to convey madame safely and soundly to France, and I shall keep my promise." "Yet, sir — " continued Buckingham. "My lord, permit me to remind you that I command here." "Are you aware what you are saying, my lord?" replied Buckingham haughtily. "Perfectly so; I therefore repeat it: I alone command here; all yield obedience to me; the sea and the winds, the ships and men, too." This remark was made in a dignified and authoritative manner. Eaoul observed its effect upon Buckingham, who trembled from head to foot, and leaned against one of the polos of the tent to prevent himself falling; his eyes became suffused with blood, and the hand which he did not need for his support wandered toward the hilt of his sword. "My lord," said the queen, "permit me to observe that I agree in every particular with the Duke of Norfolk; if the heavens, instead of being clouded, as they are at the present moment, were perfectly serene and propitious, we can afford to bestow a few hours upon the officer who has conducted us so successfully, and with such extreme attention, to the French coast, where he is to take leave of us."