l have abundant time, aye, abundant
time."

From a dark place near the inn door, I watched their departure. Poor
weakling that I was, I could not deny myself. The Chevalier, with
Agnes and another lady, took their way toward the waiting boat, a
flickering lanthorn being borne in their front. His words, "Agnes will
be glad to meet with you; she has great curiosity to see what you are
like," recurred again and again.

So she had deceived him, and he knew nothing of our meetings? Ah, well
do these women manage, and we are ever dupes. And I, who all my life
had detested small deceptions, found myself heartily applauding
this--was it not for my sake. This secret was _ours_--_mine_ and
_hers_; the bond which we two held in common apart from all the world.
A sweet reflection. The little weaknesses of women are very precious
to their object, and if the deluded one knows it not, why where's the
harm? Small comfort came to me, however, for all the while conscience,
like a burning nettle in the side, gave the lie to each excuse.

All that night I paced about, and up and down. At length came gray
dawn, but not decision. An early fisherman disposed his net upon the
beach. I watched him long in silence, then abruptly asked, so fiercely
that he dropped his work:

"Old man, do you know of any other vessel sailing soon for the American
Colonies in the South?"

"Aye, sir, there's a brig fitting out at Boulogne-sur-Mer for the
Spanish seas, to sail in a week or thereabout. But, sir," the old
fellow looked cautiously about to assure himself that no one else could
hear, "they say un-Christian things of that brigand crew. She bodes no
good."

"A freebooter?"

"Aye, sir, or a privateer, which, they say, is the milder term."

My resolution was formed.

"Await me here; I will pay your gains for the day if you will but do me
a slight service."

"Aye, aye, sir," he responded, touching his surf-stained cap.

I returned briefly from the inn bearing a note for M. de Serigny.
Therein I explained that a most important matter had transpired to
detain me until another vessel sailed, some few days at most. I would
tell him of it more at length when I joined him at Biloxi.

I gave it, with a broad gold piece, to the old fellow, and directed
that he give it to Serigny. There I remained until I saw the man
clamber up le Dauphin's side, when I left at once, fearing further
communication from Serigny.

Entering Boulogne at d