“There is little faith to be put in the weather, Madam,” was the dilatory reply.  “A man has followed the sea to but little purpose who is tardy in making that discovery.”

There was something so sweet and gentle, at the same time that it was manly, in the voice of Wilder, that the ladies, by a common impulse, seemed struck with its peculiarities.  The neatness of his attire, which, while it was strictly professional, was worn with an air of smartness, and even of gentility, that rendered it difficult to suppose that he was not entitled to lay claim to a higher station in society than that in which he actually appeared, added to this impression.  Bending her head, with a manner that was intended to be polite, a little more perhaps in self-respect than out of consideration to the other, as if in deference to the equivocal character of his appearance, Mrs de Lacey resumed the discourse.

“These ladies,” she said, “are about to embark in yonder ship, for the province of Carolina, and we were consulting concerning the quarter in which the wind will probably blow next.  But, in such a vessel, it cannot matter much, I should think, sir, whether the wind were fair or foul.”

“I think not,” was the reply.  “She looks to me like a ship that will not do much, let the wind be as it may.”

“She has the reputation of being a very fast sailer.—­Reputation! we know she is such, having come from home to the Colonies in the incredibly short passage of seven weeks!  But seamen have their favourites and prejudices, I believe, like us poor mortals ashore.  You will therefore excuse me, if I ask this honest veteran for an opinion on this particular point also.  What do you imagine, friend, to be the sailing qualities of yonder ship—­she with the peculiarly high top-gallant-booms, and such conspicuous round-tops?”

The lip of Wilder curled, and a smile struggled with the gravity of his countenance; but he continued silent.  On the other hand, the old mariner arose, and appeared to examine the ship, like one who perfectly comprehended the technical language of the Admiral’s widow.

“The ship in the inner harbour, your Ladyship,” he answered, when his examination was finished, “which is, I suppose, the vessel that Madam means, is just such a ship as does a sailor’s eye good to look on.  A gallant and a safe boat she is, as I will swear; and as to sailing, though she may not be altogether a witch, yet is she a fast craft, or I’m no judge of blue water, or of those that live on it.”

“Here is at once a difference of opinion!” exclaimed Mrs de Lacey.  “I am glad, however, you pronounce her safe; for, although seamen love a fast-sailing vessel, these ladies will not like her the less for the security.  I presume, sir, you will not dispute her being safe.”

“The very quality I should most deny,” was the laconic answer of Wilder.

“It is remarkable!  This is a veteran seaman, sir, and he appears to think differently.”