ed 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. The head
that wears a crown dreams of the conquests of the sex, rather than of the
conquests of states; the hand that wields the sceptre is fitted to display
its prettiness, with the pencil, or the needle; and though words and ideas
may be taught and sounded forth with the pomp of royalty; the tone is
still that of woman."

"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 laugh