He had almost crossed the foot of the third hill when he turned abruptly into a large store, unlike any he had seen.  It was full of women, splendid creatures, who were bargaining with merchants’ clerks for the bales of fine stuffs which had been opened for the display of samples to the wholesale buyers from other Islands.  These women purchased the exiled stuffs to sell to the ladies of the capital, and this was the only retail trade known to the St. Thomas of that day.  Alexander bethought himself of his uncle’s commission, and precipitately bought from the open bale nearest the door, then, from the next, a present for Mrs. Mitchell.  Mrs. Lytton, who was an invalid and fifty-eight, received, a fortnight later, a dress pattern of rose-coloured silk, and Mrs. Mitchell, who aspired to be a leader of fashion, one of elderly brown.  But Alexander was more interested in the sellers than in the possible dissatisfaction of his aunts.  The women of his acquaintance were fair and fragile, and the Africans of St. Croix were particularly hideous, being still of parent stock.  But these creatures were tawny and magnificent, with the most superb figures, the most remarkable swing, that ever a man had looked upon; and glorious eyes, sparkling with deviltry.  On their heads the white linen was wound to a high point and surmounted by an immense hat, caught up at one side with a flower.  They wore for clothing a double skirt of coloured linen, and a white fichu, open in a point to the waist and leaving their gold-coloured arms quite bare.  They moved constantly, if only from one foot to the other.  Occasionally their eyes flashed sparks, and they flew at each other’s throats, screeching like guinea fowl, but in a moment they were laughing good-naturedly again, and chattering in voices of a remarkable soft sweetness.  Several of them noticed Alexander, for his beauty had grown with his years.  His eyes were large and gray and dark, like his mother’s, but sparkled with ardour and merriment.  His mouth was chiselled from a delicate fulness to a curving line; firm even then, but always humorous, except when some fresh experience with the ingenuous self-interest of man deepened the humour to cynicism.  The nose was long, sharply cut, hard, strong in the nostrils, the head massive, the brow full above the eyes, and the whole of a boyish and sunburned fairness.  He could fetch a smile that gave his face a sweet and dazzling beauty.  His figure was so supple and well knit, so proud in its bearing, that no woman then or later ever found fault with its inconsiderable inches; and his hands and feet were beautiful.  His adoring aunt attended to his wardrobe, and he wore to-day, as usual, white linen knee-breeches, black silk stockings, a lawn shirt much beruffled with lace.  His appearance pleased these gorgeous birds of plumage, and one of them snatched him suddenly from the floor and gave him a resounding smack.  Alexander, much embarrassed, but not wholly displeased, retreated hurriedly, and asked an Englishman who they were and whence they came.