“I do not deny your usefulness, Sir; it is only the necessity of prudence, I would urge.  There has been, I believe, some sort of implied contract between us—­at least, so Carnaby explains the transaction, for I rarely enter into these details, myself—­by which you may perhaps feel some right to include me in the list of your customers.  Men in high places must respect the laws, and yet it is not always convenient, or even useful, that they should deny themselves every indulgence, which policy would prohibit to the mass.  One who has seen as much of life as yourself, needs no explanations on this head; and I cannot doubt, but our present interview will have a satisfactory termination.”

The Skimmer scarce deemed it necessary to conceal the contempt that caused his lip to curl, while the other was endeavoring to mystify his cupidity; and when the speaker was done, he merely expressed an assent by a slight inclination of the head.  The ex-governor saw that his attempt was fruitless, and, by relinquishing his masquerade, and yielding more to his natural propensities and tastes, he succeeded better.

“Carnaby has been a faithful agent,” he continued, “and by his reports, it would seem that our confidence has not been misplaced.  If fame speaks true, there is not a more dexterous navigator of the narrow seas than thyself, Master Skimmer.  It is to be supposed that your correspondents on this coast, too, are as lucrative as I doubt not they are numerous.”

“He who sells cheap can never want a purchaser.  I think your lordship has no reason to complain of prices.”

“As pointed as his compass!  Well, Sir, as I am no longer master here, may I ask the object of this interview?”

“I have come to seek your interest in behalf of one who has fallen into the grasp of the Queen’s officers.”

“Hum—­the amount of which is, that the cruiser in the bay has entrapped some careless smuggler.  We are none of us immortal, and an arrest is but a legal death to men of your persuasion in commerce.  Interest is a word of many meanings.  It is the interest of one man to lend, and of another to borrow; of the creditor to receive, and of the debtor to avoid payment.  Then there is interest at court, and interest in court—­in short, you must deal more frankly, ere I can decide on the purport of your visit.”

“I am not ignorant that the Queen has been pleased to name another governor over this colony, or that your creditors, my lord, have thought it prudent to take a pledge for their dues, in your person.  Still, I must think, that one who stands so near the Queen in blood, and who sooner or later must enjoy both rank and fortune in the mother country, will not solicit so slight a boon as that I ask, without success.  This is the reason I prefer to treat with you.”

“As clear an explanation as the shrewdest casuist could desire!  I admire your succinctness, Master Skimmer, and confess you for the pink of etiquette.  When your fortune shall be made, I recommend the court circle as your place of retirement.  Governors, creditors, Queen, and imprisonment, all as compactly placed, in the same sentence, as if it were the creed written on a thumb-nail!  Well, Sir, we will suppose my interest what you wish it.—­Who and what is the delinquent?”