“I should like it better, my Lord, were he to serve in Europe,” returned the Alderman, glancing a look behind him, and lowering his voice.  “There was lately a rumor that his ship was in truth to be sent among the islands.”

“Matters are getting very wrong, most worthy Sir; and the greater the necessity there should be one at court to undeceive the Queen.  Innovators should be made to give way to men whose names are historical, in the colony.”

“’Twould be no worse for Her Majesty’s credit.”

“’Twould be another jewel in her crown!  Should this Captain Ludlow actually marry your niece, the family would altogether change its character—­I have the worst memory—­thy mother, Myndert, was a—­a—­”

“The pious woman was a Van Busser.”

“The union of thy sister with the Huguenot then reduces the fair Alida to the quality of a half-blood.  The Ludlow connexion would destroy the leaven of the race!  I think the man is penniless!”

“I cannot say that, my Lord, for I would not willingly injure the credit of my worst enemy; but, though wealthy, he is far from having the estate of the young Patroon of Kinderhook.”

“He should indeed be sent into the Indies—­Myndert—?”

“My Lord?”

“It would be unjust to my sentiments in favor of Mr. Oloff Van Staats, were we to exclude him from the advantages of our project.  This much shall I exact from your friendship, in his favor; the necessary sum may be divided, in moieties, between you; a common bond shall render the affair compact; and then, as we shall be masters of our own secret, there can be little doubt of the prudence of our measures.  The amount is written in this bit of paper.”

“Two thousand pounds, my Lord!”

“Pardon me, dear Sir; not a penny more than one for each of you.  Justice to Van Staats requires that you let him into the affair.  Were it not for the suit with your niece, I should take the young gentleman with me, to push his fortunes at court.”

“Truly, my Lord, this greatly exceeds my means.  The high prices of furs the past season, and delays in returns have placed a seal upon our silver—­”

“The premium would be high.”

“Coin is getting so scarce, daily, that the face of a Carolus is almost as great a stranger, as the face of a debtor—­”

“The returns certain.”

“While one’s creditors meet him, at every corner—­”

“The concern would be altogether Dutch.”

“And last advices from Holland tell us to reserve our gold, for some extraordinary movements in the commercial world.”

“Mr. Alderman Myndert Van Beverout!”

“My Lord Viscount Cornbury—­”

“Plutus preserve thee, Sir—­but have a care! though I scent the morning air, and must return, it is not forbid to tell the secrets of my prison-house.  There is one, in yonder cage, who whispers that the ’Skimmer of the Seas’ is on the coast!  Be wary, worthy burgher, or the second part of the tragedy of Kidd may yet be enacted in these seas.”