ise it would be as well if he dressed
himself as Miss Hicks. He proposed it to Gascoigne the next morning,
who approved of the idea, and in the course of the day, when Miss Hicks
was busy with Captain Hogg, he contrived to abstract one of her dresses
and muslin overalls--which he could do in safety, as there were plenty
of them, for Miss Hicks was not troubled with mantua-maker's bills.

When Gascoigne went up on the roof the ensuing night, he put on the
apparel of Miss Hicks, and looked very like her as far as figure went,
although a little taller. He waited for the Moorish girl to sing, but
she did not--so he crept up the ladder and looked over the wall--when he
observed that she was reclining, as before, in deep thought. His head
covered with the muslin caught her eye, and she gave a faint scream.

"Fear not, lady," said Gascoigne, "it is not the first time that I have
beheld that sweet face. I sigh for a companion. What would I not give
to be sitting by your side? I am not of your creed, 'tis true--but does
it therefore follow that we should not love each other?"

The Moorish girl was about to reply, when Gascoigne received an answer
from a quarter whence he little expected it. It was from the Moor
himself, who, hearing his daughter scream, had come swiftly up to the
roof.

"Does the Frankish lily wish to mingle her perfumes with the dark
violet?" said he, for he had often seen the sister of the vice-consul,
and he imagined it was she who had come on the roof and ascended the
wall to speak with his daughter.

Gascoigne had presence of mind to avail himself of this fortunate
mistake.

"I am alone, worthy Moor," replied he, pulling the muslin more over his
face, "and I pine for a companion. I have been charmed by the
nightingale on the roof of your dwelling; but I thought not to meet the
face of a man, when I took courage to climb this ladder."

"If the Frankish lily will have courage to descend, she can sit by the
side of the dark violet."

Gascoigne thought it advisable to make no reply.

"Fear not," said the old Moor; "what is an old man but a woman?" and the
Moor brought a ladder, which he placed against the wall.

After a pause, Gascoigne said, "It is my fate;" and he then descended,
and was led by the Moor to the mattress upon which his daughter
reclined. The Moor then took his seat near them, and they entered into
conversation. Gascoigne knew quite enough of the vice-consul and his
sister