As he went forward to greet her, he saw that Larpent was staring also, and he chuckled inwardly at the sight. Decidedly it must be a worse shock for Larpent than it was for himself, he reflected. For at least he had seen her in the chrysalis stage, though most certainly he had never expected this wonderful butterfly to emerge. Maud, of course, was the witch who had worked the marvellous transformation, Maud with her tender mother-wisdom that divined so much. He looked at her now, and wondered as he met her smile if she fully realized what she had done. Across the wonder came Saltash's quizzing voice--"_Mais, Nonette, Nonette_, you are a vision for the gods!" And a curious hot pang that was like a physical stab went through Bunny. How dared Charlie use that caressing tone to her--as though she were a mere ordinary woman to be trifled with and cajoled? He had never disapproved of Saltash before, but for that moment he almost hated him. She was too young, too sweet, too--different--to be treated thus. And then he was standing close to her, and Saltash, laughing, pushed him forward. "Do you know this fellow, _ma chère_?" The wide blue eyes came up to his with a pleased smile of comradeship. "Why, it's Bunny!" the clear voice said. "I'm so glad you're here too--in this ogre's castle." Her hand gave his a little confiding squeeze, and Bunny's fingers gripped in answer. He realized suddenly that she was nervous, and all the ready chivalry of his nature rose up to protect her. For a moment or two he kept her hand close in his own. Then Saltash airily took it from him. "Come!" he said lightly. "Here is someone else you ought to know!" He wheeled her round with the words. She came face to face with Larpent. There was an instant of dead silence, then Toby uttered a little quivering laugh. "Hullo--Captain!" she said "Hullo!" said Larpent, paused a moment, then abruptly took her by the chin, and, stooping, touched the wide brow with his lips. "All right?" he asked gruffly. Toby gave a little gasp; she seemed to be trembling. But in a second she laughed again, with more assurance. "Yes, all right, captain," she said. "I--I--I'm glad to see you again. You all right too?" Bunny, looking on, made the abrupt discovery that Larpent also was embarrassed. It was Saltash who answered for him, covering the moment's awkwardness with the innate ease of manner which never seemed to desert him. "Of course he's all right. Don't you worry about him! We're going to buy him another boat as soon as the insurance Company have done talking. Maud, this is my captain, the finest yachtsman you've ever met and my very good friend." He threw his merry, dare-devil glance at Larpent as he made the introduction, and turned immediately to Jake. "You two ought to get on all right. He disapproves of me almost as strongly as you do, and--like you--he endures me, he knows not wherefore!"