‘That it does, my lord,’ rejoined Watkins, with a decorous smile. I left him, and, having landed, strolled up to the house. The yacht was to have her steam up ready to start by the time I returned. I sauntered leisurely through the street, such of the islanders as I met saluting me in a most friendly fashion. Certainly times were changed for me in Neopalia, and I chid myself for the ingratitude expressed in my sigh. Neopalia in its new placidity was very pleasant. Very pleasant also was Phroso, as she came to meet me from the house, radiant and shy. We wasted no time there, but at once returned to the harbour, for the dancing water tempted us: thus we found ourselves on board an hour before the appointed time, and I took Phroso down below to show her the cabin, in which, under the escort of Kortes’s sister, she was to make the voyage. Denny looked in on us for a moment, announced that the fires were getting up, and that we could start in half-an-hour. Hogvardt appeared with his account of expenditure, and disappeared far more quickly. Meanwhile, we talked as lovers will--and ought--about things that do not need record; for, not being worth remembering, they are ever remembered, as is the way of this perverse world. Presently, however, Denny hailed me, telling me that the captain desired to see me. I begged Phroso to stay where she was--I should be back in a moment--and went on deck. The captain was there, and he began to draw me aside. Perceiving that he had something to say, I proposed to him that we should go to the little smoking-room forward. He acquiesced, and as soon as we were seated, and Watkins had brought coffee and cigarettes, he turned to me with an aspect of sincere gratification, as he said: ‘My dear Lord Wheatley, I am rejoiced to tell you that I was quite right as to the view likely to be taken of your position. I have received, by the launch, instructions telegraphed to Rhodes, and they enable me to set you free at once. In point of fact, there is no disposition in official quarters to raise any question concerning your share in recent events. You are, therefore, at liberty to suit your own convenience entirely, and I need not detain you an hour.’ ‘My dear captain, I’m infinitely obliged to you. I’m much indebted for your good offices.’ ‘Indeed, no. I merely reported what had occurred. Shall you leave to-day?’ ‘Oh, no, not for a day or two. To-day, you see, I’m going for a little pleasure expedition. I wish you’d join us;’ for I felt in a most friendly mood towards him. ‘Indeed I wish I could,’ said he, with equal friendliness; ‘but I’m obliged to go up to the house at once.’ ‘To the house? What for?’ ‘To communicate to the Lady Euphrosyne my instructions concerning her.’ I was about to put a cigarette to my lips, but I stopped, suspending it in mid-air. ‘I beg your pardon,’ said I, ‘but have you instructions concerning her?’ He smiled, and laid a hand on my arm with an apologetic air.