Monsieur Henri, with the most cordial politeness, at once assented, adding that he should do himself the honor of attending his beloved sister. Now this was quite an unexpected difficulty. His presence must defeat her object. She therefore begged that he would not take the trouble to accompany her, and entreating that he would regard his ease and health. But Monsieur De L’Ile was not to be exceeded in politeness. He assured his sister-in-law that to attend her to Eastville would afford him unmixed gratification. And he further informed her that he himself had business at the court-house, that required his immediate attention. There was therefore nothing for her to do but to submit to necessity and trust to circumstances to favor her design. And since he was really himself going to the court-house, that very event might so turn out as to enable her, without difficulty, to deliver him into the hands of the proper authorities for his safe custody. She therefore affected to accept his proffered services with great thankfulness. He informed her, however, that it would require a whole day to go and return from Eastville, and that therefore, if she pleased, he would give orders for the barque to be made ready for service by sunrise next morning. To that feature of the plan, also, she assented with seeming gratitude. CHAPTER XII. THE SKIPPER’S DAUGHTER. “This should become a noble creature, she Hath all the energy that should construct A goodly whole of glorious elements, If they be wisely mingled by her will.”—_Byron._ How gloriously, the next day, arose the summer sun upon that green and blooming and odoriferous island.