"In another hour or so there'll be six feet of water where
we're standing now."
The abrupt realisation that once again she had escaped death by so narrow
a margin shook her for a moment, and she swayed a little where she stood,
while her face went suddenly very white.
In an instant his arm was round her, supporting her. "I oughtn't to have
told you," he said hastily. "Forgive me. You're tired--and, merciful
heavens! child, you're half-frozen. Your teeth are chattering with cold."
He stripped off his coat and made as though to help her on with it.
"No--no," she protested. "I shall be quite warm directly. Please put on
your coat again."
He shook his head, smiling down at her, and taking first one of her arms,
and then the other, he thrust them into the empty sleeves, putting the
coat on her as one would dress a child.
"I'm used to having my own way," he observed coolly, as he proceeded to
button it round her.
"But you?--" she faltered, looking at the thin silk of his shirt.
"I'm not a lady with a beautiful voice that must be taken care of. What
would Signor Baroni say to this afternoon's exploit?"
"Oh, then you haven't forgotten?" Diana asked curiously.
The intensely blue eyes swept over her face.
"No," he replied shortly, "I haven't forgotten."
In silence he helped her into the boat, and she sat quietly in the stern
as he bent to his oars and sent the little skiff speeding homewards
towards the harbour.
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