Aunt Lucinda turned upon me a baleful eye. "You grow flippant as well

as rude, sir! As though you knew anything of that Byington girl. I

doubt if you ever saw her."

"Oh, yes--last night. Miss Emory and I both saw her, last night, at

Luigi's. As for yon varlet's providing, while I would not too much

criticize a man whose waistcoats I wear even under protest, it is but

fair to say that these oranges and all the fresh things taken on at

New Orleans, are of my providing, and not his. He was so busy

providing other things for Miss Sally Byington."

"I don't think she is so beautiful," said Helena, ceasing with her

orange. "Her color is so full. Very likely she'll be blowsy in a few

years."

"How can you say so!" I rebuked, with much virtuous indignation. But

at the time I felt my heart leap at sight of Helena herself, the lines

of her slim graceful figure defined even under the rug she had drawn

about her neck, the wind-blown little neck curls and the long fuller

lock now plain against her fresh face, blown pale by the cool salt air

that sang above us gently. I could no longer even feign an interest in

any other woman in the world. So very unconsciously I chuckled to

myself, and Helena heard me.

"You don't think so yourself!" she remarked.

"Think what?"

"That she is so beautiful."

"No, I do not. Not as beautiful as----"

"Look at the funny bird!" said Helena suddenly. Yet I could see

nothing out of the ordinary in the sea-bird she pointed out, skimming

and skipping close by.

"Sir," demanded Aunt Lucinda, also suddenly, "how long is this to

last?"

"You mean the orange-dish, Mrs. Daniver?" I queried politely. "As long

as you like. I also am a good provider, although to no credit, as it

seems."

"You know I do not mean the oranges, sir. I mean this whole foolish

business. You are putting yourself liable to the law."

"So did Jean Lafitte, over yonder in Barataria," said I, "but he lived

to a ripe old age and became famous. Why not I as well?"

"--You are ruining those two boys. I weep to think of our poor

Jimmy--why, he lords it about as though he owned the boat. And such

language!"

"He shall own a part of her if he likes, if all comes out well," said

I. "And as for Jean Lafitte, Junior, rarely have I seen a boy of

better judgment, cooler mind, or more talent in machinery. He shall

have an education, if he likes; and I know he will like."

"It is wonderful what a waistcoat will do for the imagination,"

remarked Helena, wholly casually. I turned to her.

"I presume it is Mr. Davidson who is to be the fairy prince," added

Aunt Lucinda.




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