Two servants would keep it going like a shot. Dorothy, what do you
say?"
Dorothy laughed quietly and whole heartedly.
"It reads like a bit from an old English romance. I'd just love to see
such a house."
"You don't care for this sort of thing, do you?" he asked, glancing
round about him.
"What sort of thing?"
"This yacht, these silk pannellings, these gorgeous pictures, the
carving, the gilt, the horribly expensive carpet."
"You mean should I feel it necessary to be surrounded by such luxury?
I answer most emphatically, no. I like your ivy-covered house at
Dartmouth much better."
For a moment neither said anything: lips cannot speak when pressed
together.
"Now, Dorothy, I want you to elope with me. We will be in Stockholm
long before daylight to-morrow at the rate this boat is going. I'll
get ashore as soon as practicable, and make all inquiries at the
consulate about being married. I don't know what the regulations are,
but if it is possible to be married quietly, say in the afternoon,
will you consent to that, and then write a letter to Captain Kempt,
thanking him for the trip on the yacht, and I'll write, thanking him
for all he has done for me, and after that we'll make for England
together. I've got a letter of credit in my pocket, which luckily the
Russians did not take from me. I shall find all the money we need at
Stockholm, then we'll cross the Swedish country, sail to Denmark, make
our way through Germany to Paris, if you like, or to London.
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