To rob that pretty
creature in her sleep."
"Never fear. She'll soon have a store much finer than these! You
fool, I tell you she will not wake these six or eight hours. Afraid?
There, I'll do it! Ho! A ruby? A love-token, I wager; and what's
this? A carved Cupid. I could turn a pretty penny by that, when
your lady finds it convenient, and her luck at play goes against her.
Eh! is this a wedding-ring? Best take that off; Mr. Van Draagen
might not understand it, you see. Here they are. Have you a patch-
box handy for them in your pocket? Why what ails the woman? You
may thank your stars there's some one here with her wits about her!
None of your whimpering, I say, her comes Captain Karen."
Two seafaring men here came up the garden path, the foremost small
and dapper, with a ready address and astute countenance. "All right,
Mother Darkness, is our consignment ready? Aye, aye! And the
freight?"
"This lady has it," said Mrs. Darke, pointing to Loveday; "I have
been telling her she need have no fears for her young kinswoman in
your hands, Captain."
He swore a round oath to that effect, and looking at the sleeping
maiden, again swore that she was the choicest piece of goods ever
confided to him, and that he knew better than let such an article
arrive damaged.
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