Villiers prove obstinate. Of
course,' with a shrug, 'if he does not succeed in getting the
nugget, our time will be simply wasted, and then,' with a gay smile,
touching the flowers, 'I will see what I can do in the artistic
line.'
Pierre lay down again on the bed, and turning his face to the wall
fell fast asleep, while M. Vandeloup, humming a merry tune, walked
gaily out of the room to the bar, and asked Miss Twexby for another
drink.
'Brandy and soda this time, please,' he said, lazily lighting
another cigarette; 'this heat is so enervating, and I'm going to
walk up to Black Hill. By the way, Mademoiselle,' he went on, as she
opened the soda water, 'as I see there are two beds in my friend's
room I will stay here all night.'
'You shall have the best room,' said Martha, decisively, as she
handed him the brandy and soda.
'You are too kind,' replied M. Vandeloup, coolly, as he took the
drink from her, 'but I prefer to stay with my silent friend. He was
one of the sailors in the ship when I was wrecked, as you have no
doubt heard, and looks upon me as a sort of fetish.'
Miss Twexby knew all about the wreck, and thought it was beautiful
that he should condescend to be so friendly with a common sailor.
Vandeloup received all her speeches with a polite smile, then set
down his empty glass and prepared to leave.
'Mademoiselle,' he said, touching the flowers, 'you see I still have
them--they will remind me of you,' and raising his hat he strolled
idly out of the hotel, and went off in the direction of the Black
Hill.
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