"Why, Mr Cringle," said Transom, "if you have promised to deliver the
trinkets in propria persona, there's an end, take leave--nothing doing
down yonder--send Tailtackle for clothes. Mr Reefpoint, go to the boat
and send up Tailtackle; so go you must to these unfortunates, and we
shall then start on our cruise to the Coffee Estate with our worthy
host."
"Why," said Campana; "the family are in the country; they live about
four miles from Santiago, on the very road to my property, and we shall
call on our way; but I don't much admire these interviews there will be
a scene, I fear"
"Not on my part," said I; "but call I must, for I solemnly promised"
and presented the miniature to Don Ricardo.
Campana looked at it. It was exquisitely finished, and represented a
most beautiful girl, a dark, large--eyed, sparkling, Spanish beauty.
"Oh, my dear, dear child," murmured Don Ricardo, "how like this was to
what you were; how changed you are now from what it is--alas! alas! But
come, gentlemen, my wife is ready, and my two nieces," the pretty girls
who were of our party the previous evening--"and here are the horses."
At this moment the little midshipman, Master Reefpoint, a great
favourite of mine, by the by, reappeared, with Tailtackle behind him,
carrying my bundle. I was regularly caught, as the clothes, on the
chance of a lark, had been brought from the ship, although stowed out of
sight under the stern--sheets of the boat.
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