128 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



not "by the ordinary bits of bunting, but by general 

 acclamation, and waving of handkerchiefs by our fair 

 friends. On board the largest yacht a committee of 

 ladies had established themselves, with plenary powers 

 of command. This was the Queen Bee, whose motions 

 the rest were to follow. At the moment of our 

 coming in sight she set the example of making sail, 

 and making the best of our way to our rendezvous ; 

 and forthwith all the rest, who had been lying-to for 

 us, followed her motions. The idea of the party was 

 to get, as best we could, with the light breeze that 

 then served, to the rendezvous. For our return, we 

 were almost sure of the land-breeze, which would 

 help us along homeward without any trouble. They 

 were all in tip-top spirits, especially, I thought, on 

 board the Commodore. In about half an hour we 

 ranged up alongside of her, and there we found col- 

 lected what might be called the bouquet of the party. 

 Among them was Virginie, whom I had half hoped to 

 find, but whom I could not flatter myself that I really 

 did find, subdued at the parting with so many of her 

 friends more especially at parting with myself. She 

 bore the air of happiness triumphant. Still I could 

 not but fancy, when she waved her pretty hand to 

 me, that it was with something of empressement. I 

 know that I must have been considerably empresse 

 in my salutation ; for a host of latent associations 

 stirred within me at this, as I deemed it, farewell 

 meeting. I had no desire to make myself ridiculous, 



