Europe—in Holland, it was believed, which was explained by the extensive correspondence which he had had with that country during his life as a merchant.
Phileas Fogg returned to the Club Hotel. He immediately asked permission to see Aouda, and without any other preamble, told her that the honorable Jejeeh was no longer living in Hong Kong, but probably was living in Holland.
Aouda did not reply at first. Passing her hand over her forehead, she thought for a few moments, and then said in her sweet voice, "What ought I to do, Mr. Fogg?"
"It is very simple," replied the gentleman. "Go on to Europe."
"But I cannot abuse———"
"You do not abuse, and your presence does not at all embarrass my programme. Passepartout!"
"Monsieur," replied Passepartout.
"Go to the Carnatic and engage three cabins."
Passepartout, delighted with continuing his voyage in the company of the young woman, who was very gracious to him, immediately left the Club Hotel.
CHAPTER XIX
IN WHICH PASSEPARTOUT TAKES A LITTLE TOO LIVELY INTEREST IN HIS MASTER, AND WHAT FOLLOWS
Hong Kong is only a small island secured to England by the treaty of Nanking, after the war of 1842. In a few years, the colonizing genius of Great Britain had established there an important city, and created the port Victoria. This island is situated at the mouth of the Canton river, and sixty miles only separate it from the Portuguese city of Macao, built on the other shore. Hong Kong must necessarily vanquish Macao in a commercial struggle, and now the greatest part of the Chinese transportation is done through the English city. Docks, hospitals, wharves, warehouses, a Gothic cathedral, a Government House, macadamized streets, all would lead one to believe that one of the commercial cities of the counties of Kent or Surrey, traversing the terrestrial sphere, had found a place at this point in China, nearly at its antipodes.
