“Two ways lie before us,” says he, lighting a cigarro.  “Put Simon out of his house—­and make an enemy of him,” adds he, betwixt two puffs of smoke, “seize his securities, sell them for what they will fetch, and get out of the country as quickly as possible.  If the securities be worth one hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds, we may” (puff) “possibly” (puff) “get forty thousand for them” (puff), “about a third of their value—­not more.  That yields us ten thousand apiece.  On ten thousand pounds a man may live like a prince—­in Spain.  The other way is to make a friend of Simon by restoring him to his office, suffer him to treble the worth of the estate again in the next ten years, and live like kings” (puff) “in England.”

“Pray, which way do you incline, Senor?” says I.

“Being a Spaniard,” answers he, gravely, “I should prefer to live like a prince in Spain.”

“That would not I,” says Dawson, stoutly.  “A year and a half of Elche have cured me of all fondness for foreign parts.  Besides, ’tis a beggarly, scurvy thing to fly one’s country, as if we had done some unhandsome, dishonest trick.  If I faced an Englishman, I should never dare look him straight in the eyes again.  What say you, Mr. Hopkins?”

“Why, Evans,” says I, “you know my will without telling.  I will not, of my own accord, go from your choice, which way you will.”

“Since we owe everything to Mistress Judith,” observes the Don, “and as she is no longer a child, ought not her wishes to be consulted?”

“No,” says Jack, very decidedly, and then, lowering his voice, he adds, “for was she Judith Godwin ten times told, and as old as my grandmother into the bargain, she is still my daughter, and shall do as I choose her to do.  And if, as you say, we owe her everything, then I count ’twould be a mean, dirty return to make her live out of England and feel she has a sneaking coward for a father.”

“As you please,” says the Don.  “Give me ten thousand of the sum you are to be paid at Michaelmas, and you are welcome to all the rest.”

“You mean that, Senor,” cries Jack, seizing the Don’s hand and raising his left.

“By the Holy Mother,” answers Don Sanchez, in Spanish.

“Done!” cries Dawson, bringing his hand down with a smack on the Don’s palm.  “Nay, I always believed you was the most generous man living.  Ten from t’other.  Master Hopkins,” says he, turning to me, “what does that leave us?”

“More than a hundred thousand!”

“The Lord be praised for evermore!” cries Jack.

Upon this, Moll, by the advice of Don Sanchez, sends for Simon, and telling him she is satisfied with the account I have given of his stewardship, offers him the further control of her affairs, subject at all times to her decision on any question concerning her convenience, and reserving to herself the sole government of her household, the ordering of her home, lands, etc.  And Simon grasping eagerly at this proposal, she then gives him the promise of one thousand pounds for his past services, and doubles the wages due to him under his contract with Sir R. Godwin.