A Queer Race: The Story of a Strange People — page 158: what you’re looking at

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

A QUEER RACE. 155 very fine young fellow. Still, I don’t quite understand why they should prefer him to the other.” ‘* He is better liked than the other, and I think heis a better man. . I like Amyas; he has many good qualities; but, to tell the trnth, he does not inspire me with implicit confidence. He is ambitious and masterful, and, I fear, not always sincere.” ““T see. You think that if the Council preferred Oliver, Amyas would refuse to accept their decision.” “Tl think it is very likely.” «* And then?” “There might be trouble, confusion, strife, perhaps bloodshed, ail which my return would of course prevent. While we were afloat I did not think about it. My mind was too full of other things; it never occurred to me that we should be cast away so far from home, and in circum- stances which would make it appear that we had perished. But now I see clearly that the consequences may be very serious. Amyas has friends, and Oliver has friends, and both are brave and impetuous. Yes, Mr. Erle, | am very anxious to get back.” ‘*} can well believe it, and we must get back with all possible speed. But we shall gain rather than lose by de- laying our departure until to-morrow morning. And are you not taking the matter rather too seriously? We shall be back in two or three days—at the outside in four— and in that time no great harm can be done. They will. surely seek for us; because the Diana has disappeared, it does not follow that we are all drowned, and Amyas could not decently——” : Here I pulled up short, for a startling suspicion had flashed suddenly into my mind, an idea to which I hesi- tated to give utterance. ‘‘ Well,” said Mab, ‘‘ what were you going to say?” ‘‘ Nothing particular. Only that I was sure Amyas would not take any steps--would not attempt to assume the protectorate till he had assured himself that—you were not living.” | «That is not what you were going to say!” she ex- claimed, imperiously. ‘‘Tell me at once; I insist on knowing!” «*You cannot make aman tell you his thoughts, Queen Mab,” 1 answered, quietly. ‘‘ Suppose I admit that you (e(o)| 9 Oomichooks (Eo)