The Master of Man: The Story of a SinCaine, Hall, Sir
General
The Master of Man: The Story of a Sin
Caine, Hall, Sir
Infanticide -- Fiction; Isle of Man -- Fiction; Legal stories; Redemption -- Fiction
"Well, the yacht is lying outside, and Fenella and I are doing a
little circumnavigating of the island, so come along."
Stowell tried to excuse himself, but the Governor would listen to no
excuses.
"Everybody says you are looking like a ghost these days, and so you
are. Therefore come, let's get a breath of sea-air into you."
"But your Excellency...."
"I've brought one of the ship's boys ashore for your bag, so pack it
quick...."
"But really...."
"Where's your bedroom and I'll pack it myself."
"No, no! But if I must...."
"That's better! I'll smoke a pipe and wait for you."
"After all, why not?" thought Stowell, as he packed his bag and put
on flannels and a blue jacket. This flying away from Fenella was
unworthy of a man. It was cowardly, contemptible. He must learn to
resist temptation.
Half an hour later he was riding with the Governor in a dinghy over
the fresh waters of the bay towards a large white yacht, "The
Fenella," with the red ensign fluttering over her. The gangway was
open and as Stowell stepped on to the spotless deck of the ship, her
namesake, also in yachting costume, was waiting to receive him.
The mainsail, mizzen and jib being set, the grey-bearded captain, in
blue with brass buttons, called on his boys to swing the dinghy up to
the davits and haul in the anchor. In a few minutes more, to the
hiss and simmer of the sea, the yacht was running free before the
wind, leaving the town to the south behind it.
The bell rang for luncheon, and with the Governor and Fenella,
Stowell crossed to the companion and went down to the saloon. Books
and field-glasses were lying about the sofas and the table was
glistening with silver and glass. Blue silk curtains, with the
sunlight shining through them, were fluttering over the skylight and
the port-holes. How fresh! How charming!
When they came up on deck an hour afterwards they were doubling the
Point of Ayre, and the lighthouse at the northernmost end of it was
looking like a marble column with a glittering eye. Towards six
o'clock they cast anchor for the night off Peel.
The sun was then setting, and the herring fleet (a hundred boats)
going out for the night were passing in front of the red sky like a
flight of black birds. By the time dinner was over the drowsy spirit
of the sunset had died over the waters behind them, the twilight had
deepened to a ghostly grey, and the moon had risen over the little
fishing town in front and the gaunt walls of the ruined Peel Castle
which stands on an island rock.
The Governor, who had sent ashore for the day's newspapers, remained
in the cabin to read them. But Stowell and Fenella sat on deck under
the moon and the stars. The air had become very quiet. There was no
sound anywhere except the tranquil wash of the waves against the
yacht and the whispering of the sea outside.
Fenella talked and laughed. Stowell laughed and talked. They found
it so easy to talk to each other.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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