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 CHAPTER XLIV

"BOX IT ABOUT"

When the door had closed on his wife, Sir George settled himself comfortably in his chair, filled a bumper from the claret jug, and, passing it to Florian, proposed the accustomed toast, drank at many hundred tables in merry England about the same hour.

"Church and King!" said the baronet, and quaffed off a goodly draught, as if he relished the liquor no less than the pledge.

It gave the Jesuit an opening, and, like a skilful fencer, he availed himself of it at once.

"The true Church," said he, wetting his lips with wine, "and the true King."

Sir George laughed, and looked round the hall.

"Ashore," he observed, "I respect every man's opinions, though nobody has a right to think differently from the skipper afloat; but let me tell you, my friend, such sentiments as your qualification implies had better be kept to yourself. They might shorten your visit to Hamilton, and even cause your journey to end at Traitor's Gate in the Tower of London."

He spoke in his usual reckless, good-humoured tone. Despite the warning, Florian perceived that the subject was neither dreaded nor discouraged by his host. He proceeded, therefore, to feel his ground cautiously, but with confidence.

"Your English Government," said he, "is doubtless on the watch, and with good reason. In the Trades, I remember, we used to say that 'The Bashful Maid' might be left to steer herself but when we got among the squalls