"
Norrie was right, as it happened, but Watts added another grudge to his
score against De Sylva.
Now, though dynasties totter and empires crash, the first thing a woman
thinks of when bidden to a public gathering is her attire. Iris
declared most emphatically that to expect her to go ashore and meet
certain military and civic dignitaries while she was wearing a costume
originally purchased for mountaineering, which had endured the rough
usage of the past two days, was "for to laugh." She was speaking
French, and that was the literal phrase she used. The courteous San
Benavides smiled away her protest. His Excellency had foreseen the
difficulty. Those who knew Dom Corria best would not credit that he
should forget anything. The Senhora Pondillo awaited Iris at the hotel
with a supply of new clothing. Captain Schmidt, of course, could
depend on his own wardrobe, but Captain Coke and the Senhor Hozier
would find a tradesman in their rooms who had guaranteed to equip them
suitably. Moreover, the same outfitter would visit the ship during the
morning and make good the lost raiment and boots of the other officers
and men of the _Andromeda_. San Benavides spoke like the ambassador of
a prince, and, in the sequel, there was no stint of deeds to give
effect to his promises.
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