HMS Surprise (Aubrey & Maturin, #3)

by Patrick O'Brian

‘What is amiss with thee?’ asked Dil, breaking off and looking up at him. ‘Nothing,’ said Stephen, staring still. ‘Art sick?’ she cried, standing up and spreading her hands upon his heart. ‘No,’ said Stephen. He smiled at her and shook his head: he was quite composed. She squatted, still staring up; and Diana, looking quickly from side to side, made some mechanical smiling reply to her neighbour’s remark. Her eyes swept along the glacis, passed over Stephen, suddenly returned and paused, with a growing look of doubt and then the most extreme astonishment, and all at once her face changed to frank delight: it flushed, turned pale; she opened the door and sprang to the ground, leaving astonishment behind her. She ran up the slope, and Stephen, rising, stepped over Dil and took her by her outstretched hands. ‘Stephen, upon my soul and honour!’ she cried. ‘Stephen, how glad I am to see you!’ ‘I am glad to see you too, my dear,’ he said, grinning like a boy. ‘But in God’s name how come you to be here?’ By sea, by ship – the usual way – brief explanations cut again and again by amazement – ten thousand miles – health, looks, mutual civilities – unabashed staring, smiles – how very, very brown you are! ‘Your skin is fairer than I saw it last,’ he said. ‘Stephen,’ muttered Dil again. ‘Who is your sweet companion?’ asked Diana. ‘Allow me to name Dil, my particular friend and guide.’ ‘Stephen, tell the woman to take her foot from off my khatta,’ said Dil, with a stony look. ‘Oh daug...