Then Forel, their host, came out upon the verandah, and there was a hum of voices as several people descended from the vehicle beneath.
Mrs.Forel came up the stairway first with Alice Deringham, and when a blaze of light shone into the verandah from the open door Alton saw the girl draw back for a second as her eyes rested upon his companion.
She, however, smiled next moment, and Alton did not miss the slight flush of pleasure in the face of Commander Thorne.

He was also to meet with another astonishment, for Deringham and Seaforth came up the stairway next together, and Thorne dropped his cigar when he and the latter stood face to face.
"Charley! Is it you ?" he said.
Seaforth stood quite still a moment looking at him, and then, being possibly sensible that other eyes were upon him, shook hands.
"Yes," he said.

"I heard the gunboat was at Esquimault, but did not expect to see you." Then there was a somewhat awkward silence, and Alton fancied that both men were relieved when Mrs.Forel's voice broke in, "Jack, you will look after the men, but don't keep them talking too long.

We picked up Mr.Seaforth, and there are one or two more of our friends coming." Alton followed his host, wondering at what he had seen.

It was evident that Miss Deringham had not noticed him, and he fancied she had been for a moment almost embarrassed by the encounter with Thorne.