"But, sir, I thought you had sustained some wrong at the hands of Sir
Willmott Burrell, from your visit at such an hour, and your manner on
that night."
"Wrong! ay, such wrong as turns a father's hair grey, his veins dry,
and scorches up his brain." The old man paused, for his feelings had
overpowered him.
"I know none more faithful than Robin Hays," urged the pearl-merchant;
"and now that I call to remembrance, the time he served that same
knight, (who, I hear, is going to repair his fortunes by a wealthy
marriage,) I think he did well as a lackey; though, to own the truth, I
should fancy him more in his place, and to his liking, as the servitor
to a bold Buccaneer."
"Buccaneer!" repeated Ben Israel--"What Buccaneer?"
"Oh!" said the merchant, smiling, "Hugh Dalton--the fairest man in the
free trade."
"Hugh Dalton!" repeated the Jew, slowly: then adding, after a lengthened
pause, "Art cunning in disguises?"
"As cunning as my body will permit," replied Robin.
"You have seen my faithful Samuel?"
"I have, sir."
"Then array thyself on the instant as much after his dress and fashion
as is possible."
Robin hastily and right cheerfully obeyed this command; and, in less
than half an hour, was rolling along the road to Hampton Court, in the
guise of a serving Jew.