The sympathetic chord of the Buccaneer's heart was touched, for the
sentiment echoed his own.
"Then who is she?" he demanded; "I'll not stir in it unless I know all."
Burrell paused for a moment, and then said-"You have heard of Manasseh Ben Israel, a rabbi, whom it hath pleased a
great personage to distinguish with much kindness: nay, his mercy has
gone so far as to contemplate receiving that unholy people into commune
with us, giving them the right-hand of fellowship, and suffering them to
taste of the waters----"
"Spritsail and rigging!" interrupted the Buccaneer, whose enraged spirit
sought some outlet, "No conventicle lingo here--you forget your company,
Sir Willmott. What of the Jew?"
"You know his highness has strangely favoured this man, and that he is
much thought of. It is now more than six months since I was entrusted
with a commission to Paris, and Ben Israel requested I would take charge
of some packages he desired to forward to his daughter. She resided with
a family whom I knew to be Polish Jews, but who conformed to the
Catholic faith, and quieted the conscience of a certain cardinal by
liberal offerings of silver and of gold. I discharged the commission in
person, and must confess that the little black-eyed maid, seated as I
first saw her, on crimson cushions of rich Genoa velvet, and nearly
enveloped in a veil starred with precious gems, looked more like a houri
than a woman. She pleased me mightily; and, as I had a good deal of time
on my hands, I trifled it with her. This might have done well; we might
have gone on pleasantly enough; but the creature was as jealous as a
she-tiger, and as revengeful too. I made acquaintance with a blue-eyed
Dane at the court, and--can you believe it?--she tracked my footsteps in
disguise, and would have stabbed me to the heart, had I not wrenched the
dagger from her little hand. She pretended to be sorry for it; and,
though I never trusted her, our intimacy was renewed, until I was
recalled. Particular necessities for money pressing upon me, I saw that
no time was to be lost in fulfilling my contract with Sir Robert Cecil's
daughter. My Jewess, however, thinks otherwise; declares she will follow
me here; that if I do her not justice she will brave her father's anger,
avow her intimacy with a Christian (which I believe they invariably
punish by death), and forward, what she calls, proofs of my guilt to the
Lord Protector. You perceive, Dalton, the creature is dangerous."