Anstruther's proposal, however, helped him to blurt out what he intuitively felt to be a disagreeable fact.

Yet something must be said, for his brain reeled.
"Your suggestion is admirable," he cried, striving desperately to affect a careless complaisance.

"The ship's stores may provide Iris with some sort of rig-out, and an old friend of hers is on board at this moment, little expecting her presence.

Lord Ventnor has accompanied me in my search.

He will, of course, be delighted--" Anstruther flushed a deep bronze, but Iris broke in-- "Father, why did _he_ come with you ?" Sir Arthur, driven into this sudden squall of explanation, became dignified.
"Well, you see, my dear, under the circumstances, he felt an anxiety almost commensurate with my own." "But why, why ?" Iris was quite calm.