e is
different--and with reason. Her mother was well-born. She was daughter to
old Godefroi of St. Heliers, the shipowner. Jean was sailing one of his
ships. It was not a good match nor a suitable one. The old man turned them
out, and Jean came here with her and his boys and settled on Brecqhou. It
is as well you should know, for it may come into the account. Jean would
make her into a lady like her mother. For me, I would like to see her an
honest man's wife--that is, if he's able to keep her."

"I'm for the privateering," I said, jumping up as briskly as if I'd only to
walk aboard.

"I'll wish you luck and pray for it, my boy."

"That should help. Good-bye, Aunt Jeanne!"

My mind was quite made up, but, all the same, I went to George Hamon to ask
his advice and help in the matter, as I always had done in all kinds of
matters, and never failed to get them. I found him strolling among his
cabbages with his pipe in his mouth.

"Uncle George, I want your advice," I began, and he smiled knowingly.

"Aw! I know you, mon gars. You've made up your mind about something and you
want me to help you get over your mother and grandfather. Isn't that about
it? And what is it now?"

"I want to be up and doing and making something--"

"I understand."

"And privateering seems the best thing going. I want to try that. What do
you say?"

"Some have done mightily well at it--"

"You see," I said eagerly, "there is only that or the free-trading, or the
West Indies again, or a King's ship--"

He nodded understandingly.

"And none of them hold any very big chances--except the free-trading. And
there--"

"I know! Your mother won't hear of it. She has her reasons, my boy, and you
can leave it at that ... She won't like the privateering either, you know,
Phil," he said doubtfully, as though he did not care over much for the job
he was being dragged into.

"I'm afraid she won't, Uncle George. That's why--"

"That's why you come to me," he smiled.

"That's it. You see, I've got to be up and doing, because--"

"I know," he nodded. "Well, come along, and let's get it over," and we went
across the fields to Belfontaine.

My mother met us at the door, and it was borne in upon me suddenly that as
a girl she must have been very good-looking. There was more colour than
usual in her face, and the quiet eyes shone brightly. I thought she guessed
we had come on some business opposed to her peace of mind, but I have since
known that