At the first sentence the muscles of M. de la Pailletine's forehead
contracted slightly.
"Just as I expected," said the Englishman to himself, as he stole a
glance. But he continued to wear his air of good-fellowship, and his
teeth, which were white as milk and quite even, showed all the time.
Meanwhile the Commodore's brow did not clear. He was a wiry, tall
man, of beautiful manners and a singularly urbane demeanour, but he
could not hide the annoyance which this letter caused him.
He finished it, turned abruptly to the beginning, and read it through
again; then looked at Captain Salt with a shade of severity on his
face. "Sir," he said, in a carefully regulated voice, "you may count
on my obeying his Majesty's commands to the letter." He laid some
stress on the two words "commands" and "letter."
"I thank you, monsieur," answered the Englishman, without allowing
himself to show that he perceived this.
"I am ordered"--again the word "ordered" was slightly emphasised--"I
am ordered to make you welcome on board my galley. Therefore I must
ask you to consider yourself at home here for so long as it may
please you to stay."
He bowed again, but very stiffly, nor did he offer to shake hands.
Captain Salt regarded him with his head tilted a little to one side,
and his lips pursed up as if he were whistling silently.
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