Lady Menai inquired of Captain Baskelett whether he knew the nature of his uncle’s business in Bevisham, the town he despised.

What could Cecil say but no?  His uncle had not imparted it to him.

She was flattered in being the sole confidante, and said no more.

The sprightly ingenuity of Captain Baskelett’s mind would have informed him of the nature of his uncle’s expedition, we may be sure, had he put it to the trial; for Mr. Romfrey was as plain to read as a rudimentary sum in arithmetic, and like the tracings of a pedigree-map his preliminary steps to deeds were seen pointing on their issue in lines of straight descent.  But Cecil could protest that he was not bound to know, and considering that he was neither bound to know nor to speculate, he determined to stand on his right.  So effectually did he accomplish the task, that he was frequently surprised during the evening and the night by the effervescence of a secret exultation rising imp-like within him, that was, he assured himself, perfectly unaccountable.

CHAPTER XXXII

AN EFFORT TO CONQUER CECILIA IN BEAUCHAMP’S FASHION

The day after Mr. Romfrey’s landing in Bevisham a full South-wester stretched the canvas of yachts of all classes, schooner, cutter and yawl, on the lively green water between the island and the forest shore.  Cecilia’s noble schooner was sure to be out in such a ringing breeze, for the pride of it as well as the pleasure.  She landed her father at the Club steps, and then bore away Eastward to sight a cutter race, the breeze beginning to stiffen.  Looking back against sun and wind, she saw herself pursued by a saucy little 15-ton craft that had been in her track since she left the Otley river before noon, dipping and straining, with every inch of sail set; as mad a stern chase as ever was witnessed:  and who could the man at the tiller, clad cap-A-pie in tarpaulin, be?  She led him dancing away, to prove his resoluteness and laugh at him.  She had the powerful wings, and a glory in them coming of this pursuit:  her triumph was delicious, until the occasional sparkle of the tarpaulin was lost, the small boat appeared a motionless object far behind, and all ahead of her exceedingly dull, though the race hung there and the crowd of sail.

Cecilia’s transient flutter of coquettry created by the animating air and her queenly flight was over.  She fled splendidly and she came back graciously.  But he refused her open hand, as it were.  He made as if to stand across her tack, and, reconsidering it, evidently scorned his advantage and challenged the stately vessel for a beat up against the wind.  It was as pretty as a Court minuet.  But presently Cecilia stood too far on one tack, and returning to the centre of the channel, found herself headed by seamanship.  He waved an ironical salute with his sou’wester.  Her retort consisted in bringing her vessel to the wind, and sending a boat for him.