and immediately said he would accompany Hirzel if he "would wait until
he got something which he had been making for Marguerite."

"All right, Jacques, my boy, but look sharp, as the old man seems
impatient to-night."

"Thy tone and way of speaking savour far more of the style of that base
soldiery which our island is burdened with, than the tone of thy
father's son should be," replied Jacques.

"Very well," said Hirzel, "I will promise to mend my ways, but do be
quick, as I promised to walk with my sister at seven, and now it is nigh
on half-past; and she says she needs my counsel much on a matter."

"Ah! thou art an impatient lad, but it would be worse with me were I in
thy case; long till she'd ask me to walk with her, not I warrant were I
dying for a look at her sweet face."

"Don't be down-hearted, Jacques, how know'st thou but that my sister
may change her mind and look kindly on thee yet; wait till the Redcoats
have gone down to the Castle, and then perhaps thy fishers' garb may
find favour in her sight, but what hast thou got there? Some woman's
trifles, which thou seem'st to understand better than I have yet
learned."

"I made these sore against my will, for I would rather see thy sister
reading some edifying book than passing her time on such vanities as
these are used for, they are bobbins, lad."

"Ha, Ha," laughed Hirzel, "were I to go into the market to-morrow and