Then she gave a little cry like that of someone who has found treasure where she least expected it and, without saying anything to Zelina, who merely followed her, she went to the Pursers Office.
“Has Lord Charnock come aboard yet?” she enquired.
“No, my Lady,” the Purser answered her, “but his Lordship will doubtless arrive at any moment.”
The Countess stood with a faint smile on her face as she waited watching the gangway.
Sure enough, just two or three minutes later a tall distinguished-looking man wearing a black travelling cape lined with fur and followed by an attendant carrying several important-looking despatch-cases bearing the Royal Coat of Arms, came aboard.
The Countess moved towards him with the smile on her lips that she reserved for those she wished to ingratiate hersel
