"I beg your pardon?" he observed mildly.
"Go away!"
"If you will allow me--" he began, courteously addressing vacancy.
"Monster!"
The awful truth began to dawn upon him, and was followed by a hasty
impulse to dive.
"If," he stammered, "I am right in supposing myself to address a
lady--"
"Don't talk to me, but go away."
"I was about to ask permission to resume my spectacles, which I have
unfortunately laid aside."
"No, no. That would be worse. Oh! go away at once."
"Pardon me, madam. I am aware that spectacles are insufficient as
a--I mean, I did not propose to consider them in the light of a
costume, but as an assistance to my sight, without which--"
"Oh! I shall faint."
"Without which it will be impossible for me to extricate myself
from this extremely unfortunate situation. I am notoriously
short-sighted, madam, and at this distance could not tell you from
Adam--I should say, from Eve," continued Mr. Fogo, desperately
reaching out for his spectacles and adjusting them.
By the imperfect glimpse which he obtained through the glasses
(which were still damp) he was almost moved to adopt his first
impulse of deserting the boat and diving. But even if he swam away
the case would be no better, for this unreasonable female stood
sentry beside his clothes.
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