But I think we may credit her with a purpose.
At any rate, when the lengthening shadows and retreating tide hinted
return, Sam, who had arrived late in a designedly small dingey, asked
Mrs. Goodwyn-Sandys to accompany him, and she, with little demur,
complied. It did not matter greatly, as propriety would be saved by
their nearness to the larger boats; and so the party started
together.
But this arrangement, though excellent, did not last long; for,
curiously enough, the dingey soon began to take a formidable lead of
the next boat, in which the traitorous Moggridge was pulling stroke,
and gazing, with what courage he could summon, into Sophia's eyes.
Indeed, so quickly was the lead increased, that at the end of two
miles the larger boats had shrunk to mere spots in the distance.
The declining sun shone in Sam's eyes as he rowed, and his companion,
with her sunshade so disposed as to throw her face into shadow,
observed him in calm silence. The sunshade was of scarlet silk, and
in the softened light stealing through it her cheek gained all the
freshness of maidenhood. Her white gown, gathered about the waist
with a band of scarlet, not only fitted her figure to perfection, but
threw up the colour of her skin into glowing relief. To Sam she
appeared a miracle of coolness and warmth; and as yet no word was
spoken.
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