She laughed lightly, and Mr. and Mrs. Bryce exchanged uneasy glances. Something in that laugh did not promise well for their holiday. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN The motor boat from the _Empress_ was at the pier when the three Bryces made their appearance on the day of the departure. They were taken out to the yacht at once, where Mr. Abercrombie Brendon was already ensconced. He was a pompous, red-faced little man, with a great deal of stomach and a great deal of manner. He was in high good humour with the weather and the world in general. He greeted Isabelle by singing, a line from a light opera success of his younger days-- "Isabella, Isabella, the love-e-ly queen of Spain." "Silly ass!" said she to herself, and she went to lean over the rail and watch for the coming of the others. They arrived shortly and she took inventory. First Mrs. Abercrombie Brendon ascended the steps. She was a big, arrogant, impressive woman whom Isabelle immediately named "Hecuba." She was followed by a lovely, blonde creature, with deep-blue eyes and a short upper lip. Isabelle fixed her attention upon the last comer, who certainly was an attention-fixing young man. He was extremely handsome. Here was the one and only hope of this party, so far as she was concerned. There was a great clatter of greetings. "Come here, Isabelle, and make your manners," ordered her mother. She obeyed, reluctantly. "So glad to have a young thing with us, my dear," boomed Mrs. Brendon in her big voice. "Althea, this is Isabelle Bryce. Miss Morton, Isabelle." The lovely vision smiled faintly and nodded. "This is Mr. Jerry Paxton," Mrs. Brendon continued. Isabelle shot a glance at him, but he failed to get it. "How do you do?" he said, absently, turning to help Althea adjust her veil. There followed the ceremony of apportioning the staterooms, getting into deck hats, and the other preliminaries, while the boat was steaming down the harbour. Isabelle stayed on deck and made friends with the captain and the sailors. It was fun to watch them padding about so swiftly, coiling ropes, and doing their tasks so featly. The first few days were clear and beautiful. They spent the time on deck. Isabelle appraised the situation the first day out. Mrs. Brendon intended that the handsome Paxton man should be permanently annexed to the blonde beauty, who entirely concurred in the idea. The Paxton man was not yet entirely won over to the plan; therefore, he was restless and on his guard. Max flirted with old Brendon, and Wally was at loose ends. He occasionally donated his society to his daughter. "I'll make a bet with you, Wally, that Madame Hecuba Brendon won't put it through." "Put what through?" "Marry Jerry Paxton to the lady with the short lip." Wally laughed. "You don't miss anything, do you?" "I do not." "You're too young to notice such things." "Lord! but parents are a bore!" quoth Isabelle at that.