Hornblower managed to gulp out a few words regarding the superior arrangements for passengers on board a luxurious Indiaman.
“I don’t mean to imply that it is your fault, Captain,” protested Lady Manningtree, hastily. “I’m sure your ship is a very beautiful ship. A frigate, isn’t it? But frigates were never made to carry females, and that’s all one can say. And now we must say good-bye, Captain. I hope we may have the pleasure of receiving you on the Hanbury Castle later. There will be sure to be opportunities during this very tedious voyage home. Good-bye, Captain.”
Hornblower bowed and allowed her to pass before him. Lady Barbara followed.
“Good-bye,” she said. Hornblower bowed again as she went down in a curtsy. He was looking straight at her, but somehow he could see no detail of her face — only a white blur.
“Thank you for all your kindness,” said Lady Barbara.
The barge left the ship’s side, and rowed steadily away. She was all blurred, too, a vague patch of red and gold. Hornblower found Bush beside him.
“The victualling officer’s signalling, sir,” he said.
Homrnlower’s duties were clamouring for his attention. As he turned away from the ship’s side to plunge into them he found himself, idiotically, remembering that in two months’ time or so he would be seeing Maria again. He felt vaguely glad about that before it passed out of his mind again. He felt he would be happy with Maria. Overhead the sun was shining brightly, and before him rose the steep green slopes of St Helena.