human
The yacht was on her homeward way, he explained, in the eminently laboured fashion of a landsman when dealing with ships.
gpt
During that storm a week ago she went down off Brest--Cape Brest.
human
Struck on a reef?
gpt
No; she sprang a leak, and the boats were stove in, so no one could be saved in that way. By clinging to a spar the steward reached shore. He alone survived
human
Why did you only hear this week-old news yesterday?
gpt
The steward, the survivor, was ill with fever: also he was wounded in the head,--against the rock, I suppose. The yacht was seen to founder far off shore, but no one at Brest knew her name. When the steward came to himself the other day, he explained, and the news was telegraphed to the Duke's lawyers, who sent for me. I expect we shall not learn full details till this steward arrives. He is now on his way to London.
human
And the Duke--Frith?
gpt
Their bodies are in the depths with the ship and those who formed her crew. Peace be to their souls!
human
You needn't worry about that, said Leah, tartly, and paying her tribute to the dead.
gpt
I am quite sure that the Duke and Frith have gone to that heaven you're always talking about. It is awful, she added pensively, and with a shudder;
human
Lady James, let me beg of you to keep the--er--hysteria in check.
gpt
Of course, she assured him, giving her hand frankly;
human
I always adapt my mood to my company. It would be useless for one woman to waste hysteria on another--both know too much about it. I'll be nice--oh, you can be sure of that. I'm not a bad sort, my good man.
gpt
Sometimes I think you are a very decent sort, Lady James.
human
And on other occasions?
gpt
Don't ask me.
human
I won't. You can't explain, and will only fib. Parsons can't keep back an answer, whether they know anything of the matter in hand or not. But I'll be good to that poor baby-woman--indeed I will.