gentlemen so far as to have her passports renewed, as was needful,
since they were to be conveyed by the vessel of an independent power,
though always an ally of France.

The tartane was a beautiful object, a one-decked, single-masted vessel,
with a long bowsprit, and a huge lateen sail like a wing, and the
children fell in love with her at first sight. Estelle was quite sure
that she was just such a ship as Mentor borrowed for Telemachus; but
the poor maids were horribly frightened, and Babette might be heard
declaring she had never engaged herself to be at the mercy of the
waves, like a bit of lemon peel in a glass of eau sucree.

'You may return,' said Madame de Bourke. 'I compel no one to share our
dangers and hardships.'

But Babette threw herself on her knees, and declared that nothing
should ever separate her from Madame! She was a good creature, but she
could not deny herself the luxury of the sobs and tears that showed to
all beholders the extent of her sacrifice.

Madame de Bourke knew that there would be considerable discomfort in a
vessel so little adapted for passengers, and with only one small cabin,
which the captain, who spoke French, resigned to her use. It would
only, however, be for a short time, and though it was near the end of
October, the blue expanse of sea was calm as only the Mediterranean can
be, so that she trusted that no harm would result to those who would
have to spend the night on dock.

It was a beautiful evening which the little Genoese vessel left the
harbour and Cette receded in the distance, looking fairer the farther