It was so unusual a thing for a French frigate, while it was so usual for an English frigate to be standing along the coast, near in, that these mariners, who were familiar with all such matters, had joined this circumstance to the suspicious signs about the lugger, and were strongly disposed to believe the truth concerning both vessels.

To all this, however, Raoul was more indifferent than he might have been but for the arrangement to sail so soon.

He took his wine, therefore, with apparent indifference, and in proper season withdrew, carrying with him Ithuel and the Genoese..