102 The Real Charlotte. 



short notice, and hissed and effervesced like soda-water all 

 along the lee-gunwale of the flyin.s^ yacht. A few seagulls 

 that were trying to fight their way back down to the sea, 

 looked like fluttering scraps of torn white paper against the 

 angry bronze of the clouds, and the pine trees on the point, 

 under the lee of which they were scudding, were tossing 

 like the black plumes of a hearse. 



Lambert put the yacht about, and headed back across the 

 lake. 



"We did pretty well on that tack, Dysart," he shouted. 

 *^ We ought to get outside Screeb Point with the next one, 

 and then we'll get the wind a point fairer, and make better 

 weather of it the rest of the way home." 



He could see the launch, half a mile or so beyond the 

 point, ploughing steadily along on her way to Lismoyle, and 

 in his heart he wished that Francie was on board of her. 

 He also wished that Christopher had held his confounded 

 tongue about the top-sail. If he nadn't shoved in his oar 

 where he wasn't wanted, he'd have had that top-sail off her 

 twenty minutes ago ; but he wasn't going to stand another 

 man ordering him about in his own boat. 



" Look here, Francie," he said, " you must look out for 

 yourself when I'm going about next time. It's always a bit 

 squally round this point, so you'd better keep down in the 

 cockpit till we're well on the next tack." 



" But I'll get all wet down there," objected Francie, "and 

 I'd much rather stay up here and see the fun." 



"You talk as if it was the top of a tram in Sackville 

 Street," said Lambert, snatching a glance of provoked 

 amusement at her unconcerned face. "I can tell you it 

 will take a good deal more holding on to than that does. 

 Promise me now, hke a good child," he went on, with a 

 sudden thrill of anxiety at her helplessness and ignorance, 

 " that you'll do as I tell you. You used to mind what I 

 said to you." 



He leaned towards her as he spoke, and Francie raised 

 her eyes to his with a laugh in them that made him 

 for the moment forgetful of everything else. They were 

 in the open water in the centre of the lake by this time. 

 And in that second a squall came roaring down upon 

 tiiem. 



