straight, unswerving path of honour all the time. 'The Bashful Maid,' Sir George, used to lay her course faithfully by the compass, and I have often thought what a good example that inanimate figure-head showed to those who controlled her movements. But I must ask Lady Hamilton's pardon," he added, with mock gravity, "for thus mentioning her most formidable rival in her presence. If you can call to mind, madame, her resolute front, her coal-black hair, her glaring eyes, her complexion of rich vermilion, mantling even to the tip of her nose, and the devotion paid to her charms by captain as well as crew, you must despair of equalling her in Sir George's eyes, and can never know a moment's peace again."
Slap-Jack, clearing the table with much ceremony, could scarcely refrain from giving audible expression to his delight.
Lady Hamilton laughed.
"As you have chosen such a subject of conversation, said she, "it is time for me to retire. After you have done justice to the charms of 'The Bashful Maid,' whom, when she was not too lively, I admired as much as any one, and have exhausted your Musketeer's reminiscences, you will find me, and, what is more to the purpose, a dish of hot coffee, in the little room at the end of the gallery. Till then, Sans adieu!" And her ladyship walked out, laying her hand on Sir George's shoulder to prevent his rising while she passed, with an affectionate gesture that was in itself a caress.
The Jesuit gazed after her as she disappeared, and, resuming his place at the table, felt that whatever difficulties he had already experienced, the worst part of his task was now to come.
