They were both too occupied to notice that the boat had floated close in shore, until the flap of the falling sail announced its presence.

Constance glanced up with a start.

She caught her father's eye fixed anxiously upon her; whatever Gustavo and the officers' mess of the tenth cavalry might think, he had not the slightest wish in the world to see his daughter the Contessa di Ferara.

Tony's face also wore an expression; he was sober, disgusted, disdainful; there was a glint of anger and determination in his eye.

Constance hurried to the water-steps to greet her father.