United States or Tuvalu ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
She took her bonnet and went on deck, at once told Pickersgill that he could not please her or Cecilia more than by frightening Miss Ossulton, who, under the idea that it was all a hoax, had quite recovered her spirits; talked of her pride and ill-nature, and wished her to receive a useful lesson.
Corbett followed, and talked in a low tone to Pickersgill; Stewart went over to leeward to see if the boat was still alongside, but it had long before returned to the yacht.
"Jeannette, a bottle of Volnay of 1811, and three glasses." Jeannette, who was the fille de cabaret, soon appeared with a bottle of wine, seldom called for, except by the captain of the Happy-go-lucky. "You sail to-night?" said she, as she placed the bottle before him. Pickersgill nodded his head.
Everybody appeared to be in a false position; even he, Lord B., somehow or another had bowed to a smuggler. Pickersgill and Stewart went on deck, walking up and down, crossing each other without speaking, but reminding you of two dogs who both are anxious to fight, but have been restrained by the voice of their masters.
The other boat returned on board some hours before, having found two harbours on the west side of the other channel; the one large, and the other small, but both of them safe and commodious; though, by the sketch Mr Pickersgill had taken of them, the access to both appeared rather intricate. I was now told of a melancholy accident which had befallen one of our marines.
'At all events, Mr. Pickersgill, if, at any other time, I can be of service, you may command me. Pickersgill made no reply. 'Surely, Mr. Pickersgill 'Pickersgill! how I hate that name! said the smuggler, musing. 'I beg your lordship's pardon if I may require your assistance for any of my unfortunate companions 'Not for yourself, Mr. Pickersgill? said Mrs. Lascelles.
'And now, miss I have not the pleasure of recollecting his lordship's family name 'Ossulton, sir, said Cecilia, looking at Pickersgill with surprise. 'Then, with your permission, Miss Ossulton, I will now make you my confidant: excuse my using so free a term, but it is because I wish to relieve your fears.
The conduct of Pickersgill had been such, up to the present, as to inspire confidence; and, although he defied the laws, he appeared to regard the courtesies of life. Cecilia was a courageous girl, and at length she replied: "Provided what you desire me to keep secret will not be injurious to any one, or compromise me in my peculiar situation, I consent."
"Seventeen sous," replied Corbett, laughing. "And that satisfied him?" inquired Pickersgill. "Yes it was all he could prove to be a surfaire: two of the knives were a little rusty. But he will always have something off; he could not be happy without it. I really think he would commit suicide if he had to pay a bill without a deduction." "Let him live," replied Pickersgill.
The yacht had remained three days at Cowes, when Lord B. received a letter from Pickersgill, stating that the men of his vessel had been captured, and would be condemned, in consequence of their having the gentlemen on board, who were bound to appear against them, to prove that they had sunk the brandy. Lord B. paid all the recognisances, and the men were liberated for want of evidence.
Word Of The Day