Jerome scowled and muttered something.
"Perhaps it is as well you have decided to have your breakfast in another quarter. Somehow you have the knack of bruising me most savagely, and no doubt we should be at each other's throat like a couple of dogs, ere we finished. I wish to tell you distinctly that if you imagine you can frighten me off by such heroics you are chasing a mirage, a fata morgana as the deep sea sailors term it. I am not that kind of a man, and you will find that I sink or swim by my record."
Roderic did not care to bandy further words with the Adonis.
Deeds must tell the story as to which of them should win in the long run, and Owen preferred such a course.
It chanced that M'lle Cleo and her companion entered the room about this time, and joining them Roderic had his chop in merry company.
The daughter of ten millions looked fresh and full of life. As he chatted with her across the table Owen was wondering why she had never mated.
"It's the confounded dazzle of her money," he decided finally; "she has educated herself to believe no one can ever love her, but that the fortune draws them. By Jove! She should hide herself under an incog. and thus discover a lover who will worship her for her own dear self. I warrant there are many good fellows who would gladly go through fire and flood for her sake, if they knew her only as a stenographer or schoolmam."
Which line of reasoning did Roderic credit.
That same fortune had something to do with his own feelings in the matter, as it must with every honorable man.
"When do you leave Dublin?" asked his cousin, endeavoring to appear careless.
"I shall cross to Liverpool to-morrow and take the White Star steamer for New York—unless something occurs to change my plans."
"Then you are compelled to go to New York?"
"Only as a means of reaching my ultimate destination."
"Which is——"
He lowered his voice.
"Porto Rico."
"But, the danger—that is a Spanish stronghold, and we are at war with Spain."
"Already troops are ordered to land there—perhaps General Miles is on the way. With the fall of Santiago our efforts are to be concentrated about San Juan. A portion of the work falls upon my shoulders—that is all. Besides, I naturally want to be in at the death, as do all ardent fox hunters in the chase."
"I wish, cousin, you would give up so dangerous a calling. Surely you are as well fitted for other pursuits in which your life would not be at stake."
There was real concern in her voice, and Roderic found his heart touched.
"I have been seriously considering that same matter myself, and concluded to make a change after the war is over."
"Why wait until then?"
"For many reasons. In the first place Western men have a saying that it is bad policy to change horses while crossing a stream. It is also a poor piece of business to desert your country while she has need of your services."
"Enough. I know that your motives are honorable. But about this trip across to the Antilles—I could tell you of a quicker way of reaching the shore of Porto Rico, that is, should you consider it worth your while to accept," with a tinge of color in her cheeks, and a sparkle to her blue eyes.
"Indeed, I should like to hear of it. Time may be a factor in my game."
"I made a purchase in England—you know I am something of a yachtsman in my way, and the temptation was great."
"You purchased a yacht?"
"A steam yacht."
"Lucky mortal to be able to do such a thing with as little concern as I would buy a cravat."
"She is a beauty, Roderic."
"Don't doubt it in the least, else you would never have fancied her."
"She is called the Dreadnaught."
"Phew! a genuine English name. Of course you will change it to the Mayflower or Pilgrim or some strictly Yankee cognomen?"
"At present I must decline to do so, as she sails with an English crew and under the flag of Great Britain."
Owen looked puzzled, and then smiled.
"Oh! I see, a ruse de guerre. Very good, indeed. The Dreadnaught she shall remain as long as our war with Spain continues. Well, are you off for a delightful voyage along the Mediterranean, or perhaps, seeing it is summer, to the North Cape, the Land of the Midnight Sun. Jove! at another time I might be tempted to join you—that is providing I were invited."
"I extend a most pressing invitation and expect you to accept and be our compagnon de voyage."
"Alas! my duty lies amid sterner scenes."
"In ten days you can be landed on the shore of Porto Rico."
He eyed her in surprise.
"Is your voyage a westerly one?"
"We are intending to see something of the war, that is all."
Perhaps uncertain but nevertheless alarming visions were conjured up in his mind.
"I am sorry to hear you say so. The conditions existing on those unhappy islands are terrible. Besides, an attractive woman would run risks among the lawless elements at large that I should grieve to see you exposed to."
She laughed, but at the same time his solicitude did not appear unwelcome in the least.
"Foolish boy, you don't suppose, I hope, that I have any Quixotic notion of parading across the island carrying the star spangled banner wrapped around me. My object is of a different character. For once in my life I am to play the Lady Bountiful. Cuba has been looked after as well as the conditions allow. I am informed there is also much suffering in Porto Rico. I have had my yacht stocked with provisions and medical stores, and shall relieve honest distress wherever I find it, no matter under what flag."
"God bless you, Cousin Cleo. You will find plenty of it there. The Spaniards have tightened the mailed hand of late, and Porto Rico groans under the scourge. Soon freedom's blessings will be their heritage. Every man whose smallest act brings such a consummation to pass, should feel proud of the fact. Where is this boat of yours, cousin?"
"Entering Dublin bay this morning."
"And when will you leave old Erin?"
"When you give the word."
It confused him a little to realize how much she deferred to his judgment.
"Pardon me—will there be other passengers?"
"None."
"Then I will accept"—he had desired to make sure Jerome's hateful presence might not bring about a duel during the voyage.
"We will call it settled. An hour's notice will find us aboard, bag and baggage. Govern your own actions as your duty demands."
"This is awfully kind of you Cousin Cleo."
"The obligation is on your part, to put up with our dull society for ten days."
"You hurt me when you speak that way. It will surely be one of the most pleasant episodes of my life. I am smiling to think that after most positively declining one yacht voyage last night I have so readily accepted another."
"Some one else asked you to go to Porto Rico?"
"Well, no, I rather imagine the intention was for me to bring up in a hotter country than the Antilles. The trip contemplated a voyage to Havre and then across country to the later Monaco, the gambling palace of Monte