'Monsieur is an Englishman--'

'Yes, and a very cold one at the moment. If madame could restrain
her religious enthusiasm so much as to sit still, we should make
better progress.'

He spoke rather curtly, as if refusing to admit the advisability of
manning the boat with a crew of black-letter saints. The manner in
which the craft leapt forward under each stroke of the oars
testified to the strength of his arms, and madame presently subsided
into whispers of thankfulness, having reason, it would seem, to be
content with mere earthly aid in lieu of that heavenly intervention
which ladies of her species summon at every turn of life.

'I wish I could help you,' said the younger woman presently, in a
voice and manner suggestive of an energy unusual to her
countrywomen. She spoke in French, but with an accent somewhat
round and full, like an English accent, and Conyngham divined that
she was Spanish. He thought also that under their outer wraps the
ladies wore the mantilla, and had that graceful carriage of the head
which is only seen in the Peninsula.

'Thank you, mademoiselle, but I am making good progress now. Can
you see the ship?'

She rose and stood peering into the darkness ahead--a graceful,
swaying figure. A faint scent as of some flower was wafted on the
keen wind to Conyngham, who had already decided with characteristic
haste that this young person was as beautiful as she was intrepid.