'Well, Zilla, your notion is clever enough, and would most likely accomplish the object you have in view; but what an insatiable girl you are! I do believe you would not object to having the whole ship's crew from the cabin- boy up, and perhaps you have, for all I know, and indeed you might for all I care, provided you keep yourself from harm.'
Zilla laughed and her eyes sparkled as she replied, 'Ah, missy, there is safety in a multitude; and after all, we can all tell of the pleasure of variety.'
'Well, that will do for the present, I will think the matter over and let you know.'
CHAPTER 11
After Zilla left, I pondered over her proposal. I had no objection to an intrigue with the valet, personally, for he was a well-made and, I might add, an exceedingly well-mannered fellow; but the fact of his being an object of such peculiar regard t the disdained Blanche was, in itself, a powerful inducement to me to grant him my favours. In short, my desire was not so much to obtain pleasure myself, as to have an opportunity of paying her some return for her unceasing haughtiness to me; and this seemed a favourable opening for the purpose.
But before committing myself further, I thought it better to consult my friend and ally Captain St John. I told him how warmly Zilla had pressed the valet's suit, though I did not mention her suggestion respecting himself, but I praised her wit, her good nature, and her amorous disposition, and observed that I had no doubt he had marked these traits himself, he was so good a judge of female character.
I saw that the mention of Zilla was pleasing to him and made him more inclined to look with favour on my commencing an intrigue with the valet.
'Well,' he said, stroking his beard, 'I'll not cross your fancy for the Olive, he is young and lusty, and no doubt well able to give you pleasure; but won't you find it hard to manage?'
I then told him of Zilla's plan for him to come to the saloon after they had all turned in and the doors were closed for the night, and I added, 'I would not be at all surprised if Zilla herself came with him, and you, dear old boy, might have a quiet little lark with her at the same time.'
This last decided the matter. He was now more anxious than Sporio himself, and directed me to get Zilla to prepare matters for that very evening, and go charge her to come herself.
I quickly informed Zilla of the result of my interview with the captain.
She was rejoiced, and ran off to tell Sporio. The latter soon showed by his change of manner that he felt himself in a different position as regards me. He never passed me without a respectful salute, accompanied by an expressive glance of his dark eyes which I now observed were remarkably clear and intelligent. He even brought me a cup of tea before dinner, and made some remarks in Italian.
I smiled, and shook my head.
'Ah, I did forget me; my language la signorina does not understand.'
'No, I wish I did, for I believe it is a very beautiful language.'
'It is most beautiful and expressive; if the honour was granted me, I would be happy to teach la damigella.'
'Why not, but we shall not have many opportunities for we are getting near our destination, so when you next find me alone you may begin. I have, I think, the work of a famous author – Boccaccio. I would like to know something of his writings.'
'Certainly, I shall be too happy; perhaps tonight, the signorina might make the opportunity?' and he gave me an enquiring look.
I nodded, and said, 'If the weather keeps fine.' He gave a smile of pleased apprehension, and passed on.
Zilla attended me as usual that evening in my cabin. She was a little more dressy in her appearance, and a good deal more fidgety in her manner than was her habit. Several times she expressed impatience at the old lady and her daughter remaining so long in the saloon. At last they retired and the captain was left alone, poring over his charts and log book.
Zilla peeped out, and seeing him thus engaged, stepped softly up to him and asked when he expected to reach Trinidad.
'Tomorrow afternoon,' he replied, and then asked her would she like to see on the chart the exact spot where they then were.
She said she would, and went close up to him.
'Here is Trinidad, and we are about fifty leagues to the north, just here,' he said pointing to the place with his compasses.
As she stooped over the chart to see better, he put his arm around her, and drawing her down, said, 'Sit here on my knee, my pretty, and I will show you Port o' Spain, where I hope to anchor tomorrow evening.'
With a little coaxing he got her fairly on his knee, and then demanded payment of a kiss.
'What rough creatures you sailors are!' she said, wiping her mouth, and pretending he had scratched her with his board; then he kissed her again to make her well.
'There – that will do – let me go – Miss Queenie wants to get an Italian lesson from Sporio; shall I tell him he may come?'
'Will you promise to return to me, if I let you go?'
'Yes, if you will be quiet and good.'
She hurried off, and quickly returned with Sporio, whom she had found waiting near at hand.
Meanwhile the captain had gathered up his charts and carried them to his own cabin, and as she passed the door, he said; 'Come here, Zilla, leave them to themselves and we shall be more comfortable in here,' and putting his arm round her, he drew her in.
The captain had left his lamp burning at the father end of the saloon, and I went and sat down by it as Sporio came up.
'In obedience to my queen, I have brought Boccaccio. Will mia regina receive me not merely as a teacher but as a humble, loyal and devoted subject?'
His manner and address surprised me a little, and made me conclude that whatever he might be, he was no ordinary valet, and succeeding events proved that my conclusion was correct; so I replied: 'Very well, Sporio, I accept your devotion; sit here at my side and read a little of your Italian, I want to hear how it sounds.'
Opening the book, he said, 'This is a collection of short stories or novels of different degrees of merit and interest told successively by a party of friends; shall I begin with the first, or will you make a selection?'
'I would rather leave the selection to you; choose something funny and amusing.'
'Dioneus is about the funniest of the party, and one of the best of his stories is that where he tells how a pious hermit instructs an innocent novice in the ways of love.'
'Oh, I know that story,' I said, laughing, 'it is very funny; does Dioneus tell any other stories as funny as that?'
'Yes, there is something of the same character,' and he turned to novel ten of the ninth day.
After reading a portion, he translated as follows: 'There lived once at Barletta a learned doctor named Barolo who helped his small income by attending the fairs of Puglia; in the course of travelling, he became ver intimate wit a peddler named Pietro di Tresanti. They often travelled together, and Barola, in token of kindness and friendship, always called him 'Comrade Peter, and whenever he came to
Barletta, he invited him to sleep at his poor dwelling, and gave him the best cheer in his power. Peter, however, was still poorer having only a little cabin in the village of Tresanti; which was merely big enough for himself, his young and handsome wife, and his ass; nevertheless when Barola came to Tresanti he brought him to his cabin and received and honoured him in the best manner he could, out of gratitude for the treatment he had met
