Chapter 9 - Page 2

were of a
fine white jean, the cap of scarlet velvet, ornamented with gold, and the
body was belted with a large cord of scarlet silk, twisted in the form of
a ship's cable. At the ends of the latter, little anchors, wrought in
bullion, were attached as gay and fitting appendages.

In contrast to an attire so whimsical and uncommon, however, a pair of
small and richly-mounted pistols were at the stranger's girdle; and the
haft, of a curiously-carved Asiatic dagger was seen projecting, rather
ostentatiously, from between the folds of the upper garment.

"What cheer! what cheer!" cried a voice, that was more in harmony with the
appearance of the speaker, than with the rough, professional salutation he
uttered, so soon as he had fairly landed in the centre of Alida's little
saloon. "Come forth, my dealer in the covering of the beaver, for here is
one who brings gold to thy coffers. Ha! now that this trio of lights hath
done its office, it may be extinguished, lest it pilot others to the
forbidden haven!"

"Your pardon, Sir," said the mistress of the pavilion, advancing from
behind the curtain, with an air of coolness that her beating heart had
nigh betrayed to be counterfeit; "having so unexpected a guest to
entertain, the additional candles are necessary."

The start, recoil, and evident alarm of the intruder, lent Alida a little
more assurance; for courage is a quality that appears to gain force, in a
degree proportioned to the amount in which it is abstracted from the
dreaded object. Still, when she saw a hand on a pistol, the maiden was
again about to flee; nor was her resolution to remain confirmed, until she
met the mild and alluring eye of the intruder, as, quitting his hold of
the weapon, he advanced with an air so mild and graceful, as to cause
curiosity to take the place of fear.

"Though Alderman Van Beverout be not punctual to his appointment," said
the gay young stranger "he has more than atoned for his absence by the
substitute he sends. I hope she comes authorized to arrange the whole of
our treaty?"

"I claim no right to hear, or to dictate, in matters not my own. My utmost
powers extend to expressing a desire, that this pavilion may be exempt
from the discussion of affairs, as much beyond my knowledge as they are
separated from my interests."

"Then why this signal?" demanded the stranger, pointing, with a serious
air, to the lights that still burned near each other in face of an open
window "It is awkward to mislead, in transactions that are so delicate!"

"Your allusion, Sir, is not understood. These lights are no more than what
are usually seen in my apartment at this