Think of the sunsets and the moonrises--I believe the colours are unimaginable." "There are wild peacocks," Rachel hazarded.
"And marvellous creatures in the water," Helen asserted.
"One might discover a new reptile," Rachel continued.
"There's certain to be a revolution, I'm told," Helen urged.
The effect of these subterfuges was a little dashed by Ridley, who, after regarding Pepper for some moments, sighed aloud, "Poor fellow!" and inwardly speculated upon the unkindness of women.
He stayed, however, in apparent contentment for six days, playing with a microscope and a notebook in one of the many sparsely furnished sitting-rooms, but on the evening of the seventh day, as they sat at dinner, he appeared more restless than usual.

The dinner-table was set between two long windows which were left uncurtained by Helen's orders.
Darkness fell as sharply as a knife in this climate, and the town then sprang out in circles and lines of bright dots beneath them.

Buildings which never showed by day showed by night, and the sea flowed right over the land judging by the moving lights of the steamers.

The sight fulfilled the same purpose as an orchestra in a London restaurant, and silence had its setting.

William Pepper observed it for some time; he put on his spectacles to contemplate the scene.
"I've identified the big block to the left," he observed, and pointed with his fork at a square formed by several rows of lights.
"One should infer that they can cook vegetables," he added.
"An hotel ?" said Helen.
"Once a monastery," said Mr.Pepper.
Nothing more was said then, but, the day after, Mr.Pepper returned from a midday walk, and stood silently before Helen who was reading in the verandah.
"I've taken a room over there," he said.
"You're not going ?" she exclaimed.
"On the whole--yes," he remarked.