A material change had been made in the arrangement of the principal cabin.  The light was entirely excluded from the stern, and the crimson curtain had been lowered before the alcove.  A small window whose effect was to throw a dim obscurity within, had been opened in the side.  The objects on which its light fell strongest, received a soft coloring from the hues of the hangings.

The free-trader received his guests with a chastened air, bowing silently, and with less of levity in his mien than in the former interview.  Still Ludlow thought there lingered a forced but sad smile about his handsome mouth; and the Patroon gazed at his fine features, with the admiration that one might feel for the most favored of those who were believed to administer at some supernatural shrine.  The feelings of the Alderman were exhibited only by some half-suppressed murmurs of discontent, that from time to time escaped him, notwithstanding a certain degree of reverence, that was gradually prevailing over his ill-concealed dissatisfaction.

“They tell me, you would speak with our mistress,” said the principal personage of the vessel, in a subdued voice.  “There are others, too, it would seem, who wish to seek counsel from her wisdom.  It is now many months since we have had direct converse with her, though the book is ever open to all applicants for knowledge.  You have nerves for the meeting?”

“Her Majesty’s enemies have never reproached me with their want,” returned Ludlow, smiling incredulously.  “Proceed with your incantations, that we may know.”

“We are not necromancers, Sir, but faithful mariners, who do their mistress’s pleasure.  I know that you are sceptical; but bolder men have confessed their mistakes, with less testimony.  Hist! we are not alone.  I hear the opening and shutting of the brigantine’s transoms.”

The speaker then fell back nearly to the line in which the others had arranged themselves, and awaited the result in silence.  The curtain rose to a low air on the same wind-instrument; and even Ludlow felt an emotion more powerful than interest, as he gazed on the object that was revealed to view.

A female form, attired, as near as might be, like the figure-head of the vessel, and standing in a similar attitude, occupied the centre of the alcove.  As in the image, one hand held a book with its page turned towards the spectators, while a finger of the other pointed ahead, as if giving to the brigantine its course.  The sea-green drapery was floating behind, as if it felt the influence of the air; and the face had the same dark and unearthly hue, with its malign and remarkable smile.

When the start and the first gaze of astonishment were over, the Alderman and his companions glanced their eyes at each other, in wonder.  The smile on the look of the free-trader became less hidden, and it partook of triumph.

“If any here has aught to say to the lady of our bark, let him now declare it.  She has come far, at our call, and will not tarry long.”