Cospetto! them signori make no more of a prince than we do of a quail in the season, on our little island.

Pardon me, dearest Ghita; but we _must_ throw dust into their eyes." "Has any strange sail been seen about your island within the last twenty-four hours ?" "The bay is full of strange sail, S'nore; even the Turks coming to see us, since the last trouble with the French." "Aye--but the Turks are now your allies, like us English.

Have you seen any other strangers ?" "They tell me there are ships from the far north, too, S'nore, off the town.

Russians, I believe, they call them." "They, too, are allies; but I mean enemies.

Has there not been a lugger seen off your island within the last day or two--a lugger of the French ?" "Si--si--I know what you mean now, S'nore; there _has_ been a vessel like that you mention off the island; for I saw her with my own eyes--si--si.