‘I don’t think that there is any cause for serious uneasiness,’ said he, ‘though the delay will, I fear, be somewhat irksome to you. I must say, also, that it is impossible--yes, I admit that it is impossible--altogether to ignore the serious disturbances which have occurred; and these Neopalians are old offenders. Still I’m confident that the lady will be most leniently treated, especially in view of the relation in which she now stands to you.’ ‘What are your instructions?’ I asked shortly. ‘I am instructed to bring her with me, as soon as I have made provisional arrangements for the order of the island, and to carry her to Smyrna, where I am ordered to sail. From there she will be sent home, to await the result of an inquiry. But, pray, don’t be uneasy. I have no doubt at all that she will be acquitted of blame or, at least, escape with a reprimand or a nominal penalty. The delay is really the only annoying matter. Annoying to you, I mean, Lord Wheatley.’ ‘The delay? Is it likely to be serious?’ ‘Well,’ admitted the captain, with a candid air, ‘we don’t move hastily in these matters; no, our procedure is not rapid. Still I should say that a year, or, well, perhaps eighteen months, would see an end of it. Oh, yes, I really think so.’ ‘Eighteen months?’ I cried, aghast. ‘But she’ll be my wife long before that--in eighteen days, I hope.’ ‘Oh, no, no, my dear lord,’ said he, shaking his head soothingly. ‘She will certainly not be allowed to marry you until these matters are settled. But don’t be vexed. You’re young. You can afford to wait. What, after all, is a year or eighteen months at your time of life?’ ‘It’s a great deal worse,’ said I, ‘than at any other time of life.’ But he only laughed gently and gulped down the remainder of his coffee. Then he went on in his quiet placid way: ‘So I’m afraid I can’t join your little excursion. I must go up to the house at once, and acquaint the lady with my instructions. She may have some preparations to make, and I must take her with me the day after to-morrow. As you see, my ship is undergoing some trifling repairs and cleaning, and I can’t be ready to start before then.’ I sat silent for a moment or two, smoking my cigarette; and I looked at the placid captain out of the corner of my eye. ‘I really hope you aren’t much annoyed, my dear Lord Wheatley?’ said he, after a moment or two. ‘Oh, it’s vexatious, of course,’ I returned carelessly; ‘but I suppose there’s no help for it. But, captain, I don’t see why you shouldn’t join us to-day. We shall be back in the afternoon, and it will be plenty of time then to inform the Lady Phroso. She’s not a fashionable woman who wants forty-eight hours to pack her gowns.’ ‘It’s certainly a lovely morning for a little cruise,’ said the captain longingly. ‘And I want to point out to you the exact spot where Demetri killed the Pasha.’ ‘That would certainly be very interesting.’ ‘Then you’ll come?’ ‘You’re certain to be back in time for--?’