“Without bringing into question the merits of our present royal mistress,” said Alida, who was a little apt to assert her sex’s rights, “there is the example of the glorious Elizabeth, to refute his charge.”

“Ay, we have had our Cleopatras in the sea-fight, and fear was found stronger than love!  The sea has monsters, and so may have the land.  He, that made the earth gave it laws that ’tis not good to break.  We men are jealous of our qualities, and little like to see them usurped; and trust me, lady, she that forgets the means that nature bestows, may mourn in sorrow over the fatal error.—­But, shall we deal in velvet, or is your taste more leaning to brocade?”

Alida and Ludlow listened in admiration to the capricious and fanciful language of the unaccountable trader, and both were equally at a loss to estimate his character.  The equivocal air was in general well maintained, though the commander of the Coquette had detected an earnestness and feeling in his manner, when he more particularly addressed la belle Barberie, that excited an uneasiness he was ashamed to admit, even to himself.  That the maiden herself observed this change, might also be inferred, from a richer glow which diffused itself over her features, though it is scarce probable that she was conscious of its effects.  When questioned as to her determination concerning his goods, she again regarded Ludlow, doubtingly, ere she answered.

“That you have not studied woman in vain,” she laughingly replied, “I must fain acknowledge.  And yet, ere I make a decision, suffer me to consult those who, being more accustomed to deal with the laws, are better judges of the propriety of the purchases.”

“If this request were not reasonable in itself, it were due to your beauty and station, lady, to grant it.  I leave the bale in your care; and, before tomorrow’s sun has set, one will await the answer Captain Ludlow, are we to part in friendship, or does your duty to the Queen proscribe the word.”

“If what you seem,” said Ludlow, “you are a being inexplicable!  If this be some masquerade, as I half suspect, ’tis well maintained, at least, though not worthily assumed.”

“You are not the first who has refused credit to his senses, in a manner wherein the Water-Witch and her commander have been concerned.—­Peace, honest Tom—­thy whistle will not hasten Father Time!  Friend, or not, Captain Ludlow need not be told he is my prisoner.”

“That I have fallen into the power of a miscreant—­”

“Hist!—­if thou hast love of bodily ease and whole bones.  Master Thomas Tiller is a man of rude humor, and he as little likes contumely as another.  Besides, the honest mariner did but obey my orders, and his character is protected by a superior responsibility.”

“Thy orders!” repeated Ludlow, with an expression of eye and lip that might have offended one more disposed to take offence than him he addressed.  “The fellow who so well succeeded in his artifice, is one much more likely to command than to obey.  If any here be the ’Skimmer of the Seas,’ it is he.”