Moths by Ouida — page 278: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ot | MOTHS, Peril, toa degree, there was, because it became very probable “q that the cockle-shell of a pleasure-boat might heel over in the wind and,swell, and they might have to swim for their lives; and — ; they were still a long way off the land. But neither of them ~ thought much of it. He was only conscious that she was near him, and she was wondering why such deep peace, such sweet - safety, always seemed to fall on her in his presence. The sea rose, as he had said, and looked like a gray wall be- tween them and the coast. Mists and blowing surf obscured the outlines of the land; but she held the head of the boat straight against the battling waves, and he rowed with the skill that ho 7 had learned of Venetians and Basque sea-folk in sudden storms: and, slowly but safely, at the last they made their way through — i the fog of foam, and whirling currents of variously driving winds, and brought the little vessel, with the canoe rocking behind it, up on to the ianding-stairs that she had left in the full flood of sunshine two hours before. There was no rain, but the sky was very dark, and the spray was being driven hither and thither in : ’ showers. ‘*Are you wet at all, princess?” he asked, as they landed. She turned on the steps and held out her hand. ‘<‘You have saved my life,” she said, in a low voice. He bowed low over her hand, but did not touch it with his lips, | “1 am happy,” he said, briefly. | There was a crowd of servants and outdoor men above on the head of the little garden-quay, Loris leaping and shouting in their midst, for all the household had discovered its mistress’ absence and the absence of the boat, and had been greatly alarmed; for, if her world disliked her, her servants adored her, even while they were a little afraid of her. ‘<She is like no one else; she is a saint,” said the old Russian steward very often. ‘‘ But if she be ever in wrath with you—ah, then it is as if St. Dorothea struck you with her roses and broke your back!’ Even as they landed the clouds burst, the rain began to fall in torrents, the sea leaped madly against the sea-wall of the ' gardens. “You will come in and wait at least till the storm passes?” she — said to Correze. He hesitated. ‘‘Into Prince Zouroff’s house !” he said, aloud, with a shadow on. his face. | ‘¢ Into my house,” she said, with a shade of rebuke in her tone, ‘You are too good, madame; but, if you will permit me, I will seem ungrateful and leave you.” The servants were standing around on the strip of variegated - marble pavement that separated the sea-wall from the house, He only uttered such words as they might hear, Vere looked at him with a wistful look in the haughty eyes that he would not see. ! | | ‘You have saved my life,” she said again, in a soft hushed - Voice, : “ Nay, nay,” said Correzeé, “you have too many angels surely | ho i! Pee AS oa) ae heb