“Going to see _what_, Monsieur?” mocked the merry maiden. “Ah! n’importe! but tell me, pretty Barbara, is the handsome young mate going on this trip?” This time the girl was putting forth so much strength to force an unmanageable package into the trunk, that it threw the blood to her face in torrents of crimson, and she remained silent. And Monsieur Henri did not press the question. Monsieur and Madame stayed and dined with Barbara; and in the afternoon the old gentleman attended his sister-in-law to the Mercury, saw her comfortably ensconced in her cabin, took leave of her there, and returned to his barque. In going home, he touched at the Headland, and went on shore for a moment to ask Barbara a question alone. “Now tell me, bright Barbara” he said, “is the handsome mate going this trip?” “Well, he is, Monsieur. He is inseparable from my father—he is his right-hand man, as the saying is.” “I did not see him aboard ship.” “He is on the main, hurrying up some hogsheads of tobacco, that are to go on board.” “Ah! Well, when is it to be, my pretty Barbara?” “What, Monsieur?” “Ah! let us have no secrets between you and me, my girl!” “Well, Monsieur, I do not mind telling you alone,” said the young girl, blushing brightly, while she answered frankly—“When he returns from his present voyage, Monsieur, my father will give up the command of the Mercury to him.” “Who will then become his son-in-law.” Barbara blushed, smiled, and nodded assent. “And your brother, John?” “He makes his first voyage now; afterward he will be mate to Julius.” “Will he? I thought it was John’s _sister_ who was to be mate to Julius?” said the old man slyly. Barbara crimsoned, then laughed aloud, and admitted: “I wish it could be so! I do so _long_ to go to sea; my heart has gone there often.” “After Julius?” “Before I ever saw or heard of Julius,” said the girl, in slight displeasure. “Oh! I know it, I know it, my girl! You must pardon the jests of an old man who takes a father’s interest in you. Good-night, my dear; good-night,” said Monsieur Henri cordially shaking her hand. “Good-night, dear Monsieur Henri.” Monsieur De L’Ile turned to depart. The inquiries he had put to Barbara Brande were not the idle questions of gossip. He took, as he said, a father’s interest in the fortunes of this motherless girl, and had a private plan of his own for forwarding the prosperity of herself and her betrothed. He re-entered his barque, and sailed home by starlight. And the next day, with the first tide, the Mercury weighed anchor, and set sail for Havre. Madame, after a prosperous voyage of five weeks, arrived at Havre, and traveled post to Paris. She reached that capital a few weeks previous to the arrival of her son, Victoire, with whom she thus soon had the happiness of being reunited. She accompanied him to England when he proceeded thither to claim his bride as has been shown.