"Nothing; but I am taken with a vertigo," replied she; "it will go off
directly. Make my excuses to the company, while I retire for a few
minutes."

Her husband went out of the room, and after a minute or two came back,
saying that Madam was not well enough to return to the room, and begged
that they would admit her excuse, and sit down to supper without her.
Whether his wife had informed him of who I was, I know not; but nothing
could exceed the civility of the French captain towards me during the
supper. We did not, however, remain very late, as the lady of the house
was indisposed.

I found out, as I walked home with another French officer, that the
captain of the privateer had fallen in with the French lady on her
return from Jamaica, where her son died in the hospital, and had married
her; and that, moreover, unlike most French husbands, he was most
ardently attached to her.

I had breakfasted the next morning, and packed up my clothes preparatory
to going on board, and had just returned from a visit of leave-taking
with the governor, when who should walk up into my apartment but the
French captain of the privateer, accompanied by three or four French
officers of the army. I perceived by his looks when he entered that he
was a little excited, but I met him cordially. He began a conversation
about his action with Captain Weatherall, and instead of speaking
handsomely as he had done before, he used expressions which I considered
offensive, and I at once took him up by observing that, being under a
flag of truce, it was impossible for me to notice what he said.

"No," he replied; "but I wish we were once more on the high seas
together, for I have a little debt of gratitude to pay off."

"Well," I replied, "you may have; and I should not be sorry to give you
an opportunity, if it were possible."

"May I inquire whether you intend to go home as a cartel, and carry your
flag of truce to Liverpool?"

"No, Sir," I replied; "I shall haul down my flag of truce as soon as I
am out of gun-shot of your batteries I understand what you mean, Sir.
It is very true that your vessel carries nearly double the number of
guns that mine does, but nevertheless I shall haul down my flag of
truce, as I say I will."

"Not if I follow you down the river, I presume?" he said with a sort of
sneer.

"Follow me if you dare," I cried; "you will meet with your master,
depend upon it."

"Sacre!" replied he, in a passion, "I will bl