He would expect this, of course, she thought. It was the duty of a woman selected by a romantic to forget everything in the world except himself. She was thinking of Saloniki even as she smiled into his eyes and nodded. And Saloniki was thinking of her. It was at this hour that Mrs. Dainopoulos said to her husband:
Mr. Dainopoulos, who had heard, by his own intricate and clandestine methods, of the unconventional arrival of his ship in Giaour Ismir, and who was not bothering himself very much about either Evanthia or Mr. Spokesly since both had served his turn, remarked:
"You know, Boris, I should never forgive myself if anything happened to her. If he did not marry her as soon as they got on shore. I did it for the best. Encouraged it, I mean. I do believe he was trustworthy."
"Don't you worry, Alice," he said gruffly. "You'll see that girl again. What you like I get you? I done a beeg business to-day."
"What was that? How much?" she asked with assumed interest. She did not want to know, but she knew he liked her to ask.
"Oh, the British give me the paper for a big cargo I got for 'em. You count this, now: _Thirty--five--thousand--pound_. Eh? Ha--ha!" He leaned forward and covered her hands with kisses murmuring: "My little wife! My little wife! What shall I buy my little English wife, eh?"
And when Mr. Spokesly asked Evanthia if she would forget it all when she got to England she stood by the table, stricken to a sudden and mysterious immobility and regarded him with wide amber-coloured eyes. Then she lifted a finger to her lips.
There was a noise below. The iron gate banged. Evanthia, her finger to her lips, her eyes shining like stars, came to the window and leaned over. "Art thou come back?" she called in Greek. And the voice of the young Jew replied:
"Here I am, Madama. I am returned from the city."
"Any news of the Franks at Aidin?" she asked, smiling at Mr. Spokesly where he sat in silent admiration.
"They are here, Madama. Three, one of them the man you described to me, young and full of laughter."
"_Aiee!_ A good servant thou art. I will keep thee always." She turned to her lover.
"Ah, yes!" she sighed. "A house like this in England. And I have forgot Saloniki now. Supper is ready, _mein Lieber_."