Chapter 2 - A meeting
"Ah, here they are!" Rebecca's delight was more than obvious when a young couple appeared through the dense thicket behind Phileas's back. He stood still for a moment, as if deciding whether to seem happy and surprised or cross and grim for the interruption of the conversation with his cousin. He still very much desired to hear what Rebecca had to say. Still, when he turned, he was Phileas Fogg in his best. Suave, smiling, with that glint in his eye and the dignity in his posture.
Young Jules Verne left his even younger female companion unattended for a while as he flew to meet his older friends. "Rebecca, Phileas! How glad am I to see you. Passepartout said you were here. I hope I am not interrupting anything, am I?" his last few words had an almost apologetic tone.
"Of course not, Jules dear," said Rebecca lightly as she gave her hand to the young man, who kissed it very politely, but perhaps a bit too enthusiastic. "No, you are never interrupting anything," confirmed Phileas with a smile, but Jules seemed to remember one too many situation were he did intrude on the private conversations of the cousins, the memory of which made young man go red to the roots of his hair. He lowered his face for a while as he shook Phileas' hand, but when he lifted it up again, he was grinning.
Suddenly, another memory seemed to struck, for he turned on his friends and hurried back to the side of his friend. He took her hand and whispered a few words to her. She simply smiled and waved her head, making her heavy black tresses delicately arranged gently sway in the October breeze. "Phileas, may I present Miss Anne Robercroft to you? Miss Anne, Mr Phileas Fogg," Jules began the introductions.
Phileas took her hand in his, and kissed it, but never, even for a moment, his eyes left hers. She was obviously feeling quite awkward, because she went through similar emotions exhibited by Jules just a few moments ago. Young Anne was quite embarrassed and she blushed, but in the same time Rebecca came to her aid.
"I believe Phileas will try to take you away from Jules, at least during the dinner, if you are not careful enough," Rebecca said with a mischievous smile in her cousin's direction, as she extended her hand towards the young woman. "That is why I intend to have you keep me company on our way back. I would really love to get to know you a little better... and I am sure Jules and Phileas have a lot to talk about," she added, as she took Anne under arm and went forward with a determined step.
Two men had nothing else to do but follow the ladies who were already engaged in spirited chattering.