"Is it not shocking," continued McElvina, "to reflect upon the conduct of the magistrate, who has just sentenced perhaps four or five unhappy wretches to a dungeon for an offence against these laws? He leaves the seat of Justice, and returns to the bosom of his family. Here his wife," (mimicking)--"`Well, my dear, you're come at last--dinner has been put back this half-hour. I thought you would never have finished with those odious smugglers.' `Why, my love, it was a very difficult case to prove; but we managed it at last, and I have signed the warrant for their committal to the county gaol. They're sad, troublesome fellows, these smugglers.'--Now look at the lady: `What dress is that you put on to greet your husband?' `Gros de Naples de Lyon.'--`The lace it is trimmed with?' `Valenciennes,'--`Your gloves, madam?' `Fabrique de Paris.'--`Your ribands, your shoes, your handkerchief?' All, all contraband.--Worthy magistrate, if you would hold the scales of Justice with an even hand, make out _one more_ mittimus before you sit down to table. Send your wife to languish a twelvemonth in company with the poor smugglers, and then `to dinner with what appetite you may.' And now, Debriseau, have I convinced you that I may follow my present calling, and still say--`_be honest_?'" "Why, yes, I think we both may; but would not this evil be removed by free trade?" "Heaven forbid!" replied McElvina, laughing; "then there would be no _smuggling_." CHAPTER TWELVE. Love me, love my dog. PROVERB. It is the misfortune of those who have been in constant habits of deceit that they always imagine others are attempting the same dishonest practices. For some time McElvina felt convinced that our little hero had swerved from truth in the account which he gave of himself; and it was not until after repeated catechisings, in which he found that, strange and improbable as the narrative appeared, Willy never altered from or contradicted his original statement, that he believed the boy to be as honest and ingenuous as might have been inferred from his prepossessing countenance. To this conviction, how ever, did he arrive at last; and our hero--who seemed no sooner to have lost one protector than to have the good fortune to find another--became the favourite and companion of his new captain, instead of his domestic, as had been originally contemplated. A lad of Willy's age, who is treated with kindness and consideration, is soon attached, and becomes reconciled to any change of circumstances. It was a matter of indifference to our hero whether he was on the quarter-deck of a man-of-war or in the cabin of a smuggling sloop. Contented with his present lot,--with the happy thoughtlessness of youth, he never permitted the future to disturb his repose or affect his digestion.