It now became perplexed, and, by the workings of his features,
it would seem that he vacillated in his opinions. The sounds of the
whistle were heard, again.
"Ay, ay, Master Tom!" muttered the dealer in contraband. "Thy note is
audible, but why this haste? Beautiful Alida, this shrill summons is to
say, that the moment of parting is arrived!"
"We met with less of preparation," returned la belle Barberie, who
preserved all the distant reserve of her sex, under the jealous eyes of
her admirer.
"We met without a warning, but shall our separation be without a
memorial? Am I to return with all these valuables to the brigantine, or,
in their place, must I take the customary golden tribute?"
"I know not that I dare make a traffic which is not sanctioned by the law,
in presence of a servitor of the Queen," returned Alida, smiling. "I will
not deny that you have much to excite a woman's envy; but our royal
mistress might forget her sex, and show little pity, were she to hear of
my weakness."
"No fear of that, lady.--'Tis they who are most stern in creating these
harsh regulations, that show most frailty in their breach. By the virtues
of honest Leadenhall itself, but I should like to tempt the royal Anne, in
her closet, with such a display of goodly laces and heavy brocades!"
"That might be more hazardous than wise!"
"I know not. Though seated on a throne, she is but woman. Disguise nature
as thou wilt, she is a universal tyrant, and governs all alike.
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