That would be worse.

Oh! go away at once." "Pardon me, madam.

I am aware that spectacles are insufficient as a--I mean, I did not propose to consider them in the light of a costume, but as an assistance to my sight, without which--" "Oh! I shall faint." "Without which it will be impossible for me to extricate myself from this extremely unfortunate situation.

I am notoriously short-sighted, madam, and at this distance could not tell you from Adam--I should say, from Eve," continued Mr.Fogo, desperately reaching out for his spectacles and adjusting them.
By the imperfect glimpse which he obtained through the glasses (which were still damp) he was almost moved to adopt his first impulse of deserting the boat and diving.

But even if he swam away the case would be no better, for this unreasonable female stood sentry beside his clothes.
"If I might make a suggestion, madam--" But by this time Miss Limpenny had broken forth into a series of sobs and plaintive cries for protection.