Page:The Plutocrat (1927).pdf/178

 upon her left. When she went upon her sweeping promenades they kept themselves undetachable alongside. In the lounge for music or coffee, or in the smoking-room or wherever she appeared, they appeared also. In the evenings, if she watched the dancing in the "Palm Garden"—she declined to dance, herself—they watched with her. Only once again before land was sighted did Ogle contrive to be alone with her, and then not for long. It was the day before they reached Gibraltar.

"Thank heaven this part of the journey's almost over," he said gloomily.

She looked a little hurt, though perhaps more humorously so than really. "You find us very tedious?"

"You know what I mean, I think, Madame Momoro."

"No. I cannot imagine at all."

"I think you can." He was so serious that she laughed compassionately, whereupon he made bold to touch her arm. "Please don't laugh," he said. "I'm glad we're near Gibraltar because two of my friends are landing there; and I'll be glad when we reach Algiers because after that you won't sit in a corner of the boat-deck with Yahoos any more."