But when
the gentlemen came on deck early in the morning a considerable
change had taken place; the sky was gray and the clouds flying fast
overhead.
"We are going to have dirty weather," Tom Virtue said at once. "I
don't think it's going to be a gale, but there will be more sea on
than will be pleasant for ladies. I tell you what, Grantham; the
best thing will be for you to go on shore with the two ladies, and
cross by the boat tonight. If you don't mind going directly after
breakfast I will start at once, and shall be at St. Helier's as
soon as you are."
And so it had been agreed, but not, as has been seen, without
opposition and protest on the part of the ladies.
Mrs. Grantham's chief reason for objecting had not been given. The
little scheme on which she had set her mind seemed to be working
satisfactorily. From the first day Tom Virtue had exerted himself
to play the part of host satisfactorily, and had ere long shaken
off any shyness he may have felt towards the one stranger of the
party, and he and Miss Graham had speedily got on friendly terms.
So things were going on as well as Mrs. Grantham could have expected.
No sooner had his guests left the side of the yacht than her owner
began to make his preparations for a start.
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