Major Frank

 By

 A. L. G. Bosboom-Toussaint

 Author of "The English in Rome, " etc. 

 Translated from the Dutch

 By

 James Akeroyd

 London

 T Fisher Unwin

 26 Paternoster Square

 1885

MAJOR FRANK. 

CHAPTER I. 

A Letter from Sir Leopold van Zonshoven to Mr. William Verheystat A----. 

The Hague, March, 1865. 

Dear Friend, --If you are not too deeply absorbed in some lawsuit orother, come to me by the first express you can catch from your littleprovincial town. Something wonderful has happened, and I have greatneed of a friend to whom I can confide my secret. Imagine Leopoldvan Zonshoven, who seemed destined from his infancy to figure in thisworld as a poor gentleman--imagine your friend Leopold suddenly comeinto an immense fortune. 

An old aunt of my mother's, of whom I had never heard, and who it seemshad quarrelled with all her relations, has hit upon the sublime idea ofplaying the "Fairy Godmother" to me. By her will I am made sole heirto all the property she died possessed of. I, who with the strictesteconomy and self-control have barely managed to keep out of debt;I, who have never given way to youthful follies or run into excess, now see a million thrown at my head. This is contrary to the ideas ofthe romancing novelist, who as a rule reforms and rewards the wildestyouth. I almost knocked over the lamp on opening the letter whichcontained this incredible news; fortunately my landlady caught it, for she was waiting for the eighteenpence which the messenger demandedfor his services, and she has since confessed to me she thought thatit was a case of "baliffs. " I got rid of her as quickly as possibleand bolted the door behind her. I felt an irresistible desire to bealone, and to convince myself that the news was real, and not a pageout of the "Arabian Nights. "

After having satisfied myself of the reality of the affair, I wasassailed by an indescribable confusion of ideas and impressions. Myheart beat as if it would burst; I felt a rising in my throat as if Ishould choke; and the first profit which I derived from my new fortunewas a severe headache. I am not a stoic, and I have never attemptedto appear in that character. Lately all my thoughts have been fixedon some method of changing the miserable position in which I have thusfar vegetated, and there seemed but one hope left me: a reconciliationwith my uncle, the Cabinet Minister, who could get me an appointmentas attaché to one of the embassies. But this would be a difficult task, for his Excellency has forbidden me his house because of some articlesthat I wrote in an opposition paper. How I regretted not having beenable to complete my studies and take a degree, the lack of which hasshut me out from so many posts open to my fellow-students. 

At the age of twenty-nine it is a losing game to compete withyounger men in possession of a degree; and whilst I sat broodingover my misfortunes, suddenly the news reaches me that I am a richlanded proprietor. I ask you, cool-headed man of the law as you are, whether that is not enough to turn the brain of a simple mortal likemyself? Do come, then, as soon as possible to talk the matter over withme, especially as there is one point on which I must have your advicebefore entering into possession of my estates. Possibly your judicialeye will make light of it, but for me it is a conscientious question, or at least a question of delicacy, which may cause my mountain ofgold to crumble to dust. I will decide nothing before consultingyou. In the meantime I have given my lawyer power of attorney underreserve. Here I have many acquaintances, but not one trusted friendto whom I can reveal the secrets of my bosom without the fear ofbeing misunderstood or made ridiculous. 

And now farewell till we meet. With or without the fortune, believeme to be ever yours sincerely, Leopold van Zonshoven. 

CHAPTER II. 

Mr. William Verheyst receives an Anonymous Letter. 

By the same post the barrister, William Verheyst, received thefollowing letter without a signature. 

 Sir, --We think it probable that Sir Leopold van Zonshoven will consult you on an affair of great importance to himself. May we take the liberty of begging that you will kindly assist him in any difficulties that may stand in the way of his taking possession of a certain heritage left to him, and also use your influence to persuade him not to decline any proposition which may be made him. The writer of this letter is perfectly acquainted with the intentions of the worthy testatrix, and wishes the young man joy of his fortune. 

"Oh dear!" exclaimed the good-natured William, crumpling the anonymousletter in his fingers, "I fear this looks bad for Leopold. It will behard lines if he has to forego the fortune which is thus dangled beforehis eyes like a bait on who knows what unreasonable conditions. Idon't like this attempt on the part of some unknown persons to bribehis adviser. However, they shall find I am not to be caught in thesnare. If there be any clause in the will inconsistent with law andhonesty or with honour, I'll show them I have not been called to thebar to no purpose. Poor fellow, he little knows how difficult it isfor me to leave home at present. Still, as I must go to the Haguebefore my departure to Java, I will set off early to-morrow. "

William Verheyst did as he said. He proved himself a true friend andno loiterer; caught his train, and five minutes after his arrival inthe Hague was knocking at his friend's door. 

Leopold van Zonshoven occupied a single large front room in a quietpart of the town. He was too poor to live in a more fashionablequarter, and too honest to attempt living above his means. Andyet there was an air of elegance about the room which marked itas that of a young man of refined tastes, and proved him to be alover of home comforts rather than the pleasures of club life. Tothe ordinary furniture to be found in lodgings he had superadded agood writing-table, an easy-chair, an antique, carved book-case, and several small objects of art, which stood out in bold reliefagainst the shabby wallpaper. This, however, he had tried to hideas much as possible by hanging the family portraits all round theroom, some of them in solid ebony, others in gilt frames rathercharacteristic of this cheap, showy age. Even the space between thelarger pictures he had tried to cover with small miniatures on ivory, and photographs. The young man had evidently done his best to surroundhimself by the portraits of his numerous family. 

He was busily engaged at his writing-table when Verheyst knocked athis door. 

"I was expecting you, " he said. "I knew you would come to help yourfriend in need. What a strange letter I wrote you! But now I haverecovered my senses again. "

Then turning to his writing-table, he said--

"Look here, here's a bundle of papers soaked with ink. Thoughmy landlady, Mrs. Joosting, saved the lamp from falling on thatmemorable evening, she did not notice the ink-bottle. Three articlesneatly copied, numbered and ready for the press, are utterlyspoiled. Nothing for it but to copy them again. Pleasant work thisfor a millionaire! But I have almost finished now, and the work hasdone me good; we shall have the whole evening to talk matters over. "

Leopold lived, in fact, by his pen, contributing to several papers, and making translations for the publishers who patronized him. Thoughhe had not kept his terms at the university, he had talent and style, and his writings had been very successful. 

"Here are the documents: the lawyer's letter, a copy of the will, the inventory of all effects, both personal and real estate; and all, so far as I can judge, in perfect order. "

After a minute examination, piece by piece, Verheyst answered thathe was of the same opinion. 

"But, " he said, "I cannot find the fatal clause you mentioned, anywhere. "

"In truth, there is no such clause expressed; nor is there evena condition set down. But there is a desire, a hope expressed inthis letter from my aunt; and you must read it before giving youropinion. It seems to me I must renounce the inheritance if I cannotgive effect to the wish you will find set down here. "

"Is it, then, such a difficult matter?" inquired Verheyst, beforeopening the letter. 

"Oh, that depends! My aunt wishes me to marry. "

"No unfair request, since she puts you in a position to maintaina wife. "

"I agree; but she has gone further and chosen a wife for me. "

"The deuce! that's the worst part of the business. "

"Certainly; for she does not seem to have been acquainted with theyoung lady herself, who seems to be a granddaughter of a certainGeneral von Zwenken, who married my aunt's eldest sister. The younglady is at present living with her grandfather; and it would seem thatmy shrewd old aunt, to be revenged on the General, has hit upon thismeans of leaving her fortune to her niece and shutting out the restof the family from any share in it. Consequently I am made use of, and the fortune is placed in my hands with instructions to hasten tolay it at the feet of this 'fair lady. ' Nothing seems easier or morenatural. But suppose the 'fair lady' should be ugly, hunchbacked, a shrew, or a troublesome coquette. In this case, you know, with myideas about women and marriage, I should feel myself bound to refusethe fortune. "

"Refuse! refuse!--at the worst you can propose to divide it betweenyou. "

"Now that would be acting in direct opposition to the express andformal wish of the testatrix. Read the letter and you will see. "

CHAPTER III. 

The Honourable Miss Sophia Roselaer de Werve's Letter to herGrand-nephew. 

My very worthy Nephew, --Though I am unknown to you, you are notunknown to me. I don't know you personally; but I am pretty wellinformed as to what you are, and what you are not. Thanks to all sortsof quarrels in our family, and the inconsistent conduct of my eldestsister, I have been forced to live estranged (and shall die so) fromall my relations. My nearest relations, it is true, died years ago;the others are scattered over the world, and scarcely remember theirrelationship to me. Their ancestors, who have done their utmost toembitter my life, seem to have left it as a legacy to their children toforget me, and to trouble themselves as little about old Aunt Roselaeras if she had never existed. But man must think of his end. I am inmy seventy-fifth year, and a recent attack of apoplexy has warnedme to put my affairs in order, if I would prevent all disputes aboutthe possession of my property, and, above all, save it from fallinginto the hands of those who have done so much to embitter my life. Iwill not suffer it to fall into the hands of a host of nephews andnieces, who would attack it like sharks, and divide and crumble intopieces what I and my forefathers have accumulated with so much careand economy. It is for this reason I have decided to appoint oneof my relatives my sole heir, and you are the one I have chosen:first, because your mother's mother is the one of my sisters who hascaused me the least grief. She married a man of her own rank, in agood position, with the full consent of her parents; and she couldnot help his falling a victim to the horrible Belgian revolution, inwhich he lost his life and fortune, leaving her with seven daughters, one of whom was your mother, who, I must say, troubled herself aslittle as any of the other nieces about Aunt Sophia. I can pardonher, however, because when she returned from Belgium to Holland anoccurrence in our unfortunate family affairs had decided me to breakoff all intercourse with my relations. The second reason, and thechief one, why I have distinguished you above all the rest is this:I have a good opinion of your disposition and self-command. I have, several times and in divers ways, made inquiries about you, both offriends and strangers, and the information I have received has alwaysbeen such as to lead me to believe you the most fitting person to carryout one wish which I urgently request you to fulfil, if it be at allpossible; namely, to marry the only grandchild of my eldest sister, and in this way put her in possession of that part of my fortune whichthe unpleasant divisions in our family cause me to withhold. I wishedto adopt the girl in her early youth, give her a good education, and save her from the miserable garrison life she has led: but myrequest was bluntly refused; and General von Zwenken, her grandfather, has recklessly sacrificed the fortune of his granddaughter for thepleasure of being revenged on me. Consequently my will is made withthe fixed purpose of preventing his ever enjoying a penny that hasbelonged to me. On reflection, however, I have come to the conclusionthat it would be wrong to punish the granddaughter for the sins of hergrandparents. After my death, on the contrary, I should like her toconfess that old Aunt Roselaer, whose name she will only have heardmentioned with anger and disdain, was not so very wicked after all, seeing that she has ever had the welfare of her niece at heart. If Iwere to leave her my fortune, I should only be playing into the handsof her grandfather, who would doubtless spend every penny of it inthe same way he spent that of my sister. And so it has occurred tome, Leopold, to single you out and make you the sole possessor ofall my wealth, with the request that you will make good the wrongwhich I have been forced to do. The question now is, whether youwill be able to accomplish my desire. Difficulties may be placed inyour way by the very person most interested in adopting the means Ihave thought out: in this case, I beseech you to persevere as longas there remains a hope of success. If, on the other hand, you raiseobstacles, if you find it insupportable to have a wife imposed onyou by a troublesome old aunt, a wife you cannot love, then I releaseyou from this condition, for I wish at least one member of the familyto think of me without abhorrence. Should the worst happen, you mustconsult lawyer Van Beek, who knows my intentions, if you do not wishto lose my fortune altogether. I expect better things of you, notto mention that I count upon your good heart being moved towards ayoung lady who has been deprived of her rights and the advantages ofher birth from infancy through the ill-will of her relations. Theserights and advantages a loving old aunt wishes you both to enjoy. 

Sophia Roselaer de Werve. 

P. S. --That I must sign myself simply Roselaer de Werve, and notBaroness de Werve, is the fault of the General; but his obstinacyand folly shall cost him dear. 

CHAPTER IV. 

"Now, what do you say to this?" asked Leopold, as Verheyst folded upthe letter with a thoughtful face. 

"What do I say to it? Well, that it is a real woman's letter; themost important point being contained in the post-scriptum. "

"Ahem! you may be right; how is it possible that a Christian woman, with one foot in the grave, can be inspired with such bitter hatredof this family, and probably for what is the merest trifle. "

"What shall I say?--From the merest trifles some of the longest andmost difficult lawsuits have arisen. But, for your sake, Leopold, I could wish that this lady had been possessed of better feelingstowards her relations; it would render the whole business simpler. Ifthe young lady pleases you, marry her; if not, then propose to dividethe fortune between you. You will both be independent, and one canlive pretty comfortably on half a million. "

"Would to heaven she had left me thirty thousand guilders withoutconditions, " sighed Leopold; "then I should have none of this bother. "

"That certainly would have been pleasanter for you, " replied Verheyst, smiling, "but we get nothing for nothing; and if the old lady haschosen you to be her instrument of revenge, why you cannot do lessthan accept the encumbrance. "

"I don't see it. "

"I feel sure that on her death-bed she chuckled at the idea of leavinga champion of her griefs behind. "

"That may be so; but if she imagined that for the sake of her money Ishould so far demean myself as to serve her evil designs, then eithershe was greatly mistaken in my character, or she received erroneousinformation about me. "

"At present, you don't even know whether anything inconsistentwith your character is demanded of you. Let me remind you thatthe depositions of the dead are not to be discussed, but as far aspossible carried out. If after due inquiry you find yourself unableto fulfil the conditions of this will, it will still be possible foryou to stop further proceedings. "

"I have written to the lawyer in that sense. I feel it my duty tosee first whether a marriage be possible. This I am bound to do forthe young lady's sake; but I should like you to pay a visit to theVon Zwenkens, and bring me word what you think of the young lady, before I make my appearance. "

"How you do give yourself the airs of a millionaire already!" answeredVerheyst--"opening the preliminaries of your marriage by anambassador. I am sorry to say I cannot accept your commission, worthy patron. "

There was a mingling of irony and offended pride in the tone of thisanswer, which caused Leopold to start up in surprise. 

"You do not mean me to take this reproach seriously?" he asked, feelingsomewhat touched by his friend's words. "You know well enough I onlyasked a friendly service of one whose clear judgment I prize abovemy own, blinded as I now am by a confusion of contending passions. "

"Of course. I quite understand your meaning. It was only my chaff; but, unfortunately, it is only too true that I am prevented from obligingyou. To-morrow I stay here in the Hague to look after my own affairs, and then I shall have not a day, nor even an hour, to lose in makingmy preparations for a long voyage. "

"What long voyage are you alluding to?"

"Ah! that's true; we have had so much to say about the change inyour life, that I have forgotten to tell you about the change in myown. You are not the only person on whom fortune smiles. I have beenoffered and have accepted the post of private secretary to the newlyappointed Governor-General of our Indian possessions. Besides the highsalary, and the excellent opportunity of travelling to Java in such acomfortable way, my future prospects are so promising that I could notfor a moment resist the temptation to go. It is much more agreeable tome than vegetating in a provincial town, on the look-out for ill-paidlawsuits or some legal appointment. I expatriate myself for a yearor two, to return with all the importance of an Eastern nabob, "continued Verheyst, with a faint attempt at a jest which evidentlydid not come from the heart, as no pleasant smile lit up his face. 

"I cannot say you are wrong, and yet I am sorry, " replied Leopold, with an effort to be cheerful; "all my plans for the future enjoymentof my fortune were bound up with you--we were to shoot, hunt, andtravel together. "

"What about your wife?" asked William. 

"My first condition would have been that she must treat my friendkindly. "

"It is all the better; you should not be under the necessity of makingany such conditions. Possibly you may have difficulties enough toovercome, without my standing in the way. "

"Really, William, I feel inclined to refuse the fortune, and go toJava with you. "

"Nonsense, man, pluck up your courage, and trust to those feelings ofhonour and delicacy of which your present scruples only afford me anew proof. She may turn out to be a pearl of a wife, this young ladywhom you are requested to enchase in gold. By the way, do you knowher name, or where you are to go in order to make her acquaintance?"

"I have this morning received a letter from the lawyer in Utrecht, requesting me to pay him a visit as soon as possible, when he willgive me all necessary information about General von Zwenken and hisgranddaughter Francis Mordaunt. "

"Mordaunt! Is her name Francis Mordaunt?" exclaimed Verheyst, in atone of surprise and disappointment. 

"Yes, don't you like the name? or have you heard it before?" askedLeopold, all in a breath, for the serious looks of his friendalarmed him. 

"Heard it before! Well, yes--indeed, often, as that of an Englishofficer on half-pay who some years ago lived in my province; a managainst whose character, so far as I know, nothing can be said. "

"Yes, but I am speaking about the daughter. Do you know her?"

"Not personally, and it is a dangerous thing to form an opinionfrom gossiping reports. What I have heard may not be correct; butif it be so, I cannot hide from you what it would only disturb yourpeace of mind to know. Therefore, I say, make your own inquiries, seek information from people you can trust, and trust only your ownobservations and experience. "

"Is she deformed? Is she a fright?" asked Leopold, growing uneasy. 

"No, nothing of that sort; in fact, I believe she is rathergood-looking--at least, enough so to attract admirers, but----"

"Come now, never falter, man! Give me the coup de grâce at once. Isshe a coquette?"

Verheyst shrugged his shoulders. "I have never heard it said she was;at least, it must be a strange sort of coquetry she's accused of. "

"Don't keep me on the rack any longer; but tell me at once the worstyou know of her. "

"Oh, there's nothing that one can really call bad; yet in youreyes it may appear sinister enough. What I have heard is, that anacquaintance of ours, a friend of my youngest brother, was madly inlove with her, and she refused his offer in a manner little encouragingfor you. According to his account she must be a regular shrew, whodeclines to marry on the grounds that she will acknowledge no man tobe her lord and master. She so ill-treated this poor Charles Felters, the best-natured old sheep that ever went on two legs, that he hastaken fright and run away--gone off to Africa, as if afraid of meetingher again in Europe. He is not only a good fellow in every respect, but what we call in common parlance a 'catch, ' his father being therichest banker in our part of the country. I don't wish to frightenyou, but----"

"Well, I see nothing in all this to be frightened about, " said Leopold, calmly. "That she has refused a booby who runs away for fear of awoman, only proves her to be a girl of character. I begin to thinkthere will be something piquant in this adventure, and I prefer alively young lady to a wearisome, insignificant girl. "

"I am glad to hear you take up the subject so pleasantly. I, for mypart, should not like to be engaged in such a contest, but you aremorally obliged----"

"In fact, without the obligation, your account has so excited mycuriosity that I should feel tempted to undertake this conquest. Doyou see this portrait of the fifteenth century? It is that of one ofmy ancestors who, for the honour of his lady, suffered his left handto be cut off. He was very ugly, and whenever I was naughty or ina temper my good mother would lead me up to this portrait and say, 'Fie! Leopold, you are like the Templar, ' for he was a knight ofthat order. She said I had the same fierce glance of the eyes when Iwas naughty, and I have since been convinced that she was right. Theresemblance struck me in a private interview I once had with my uncle, the Cabinet Minister. I was accidentally standing before a glass, whenhe upbraided the memory of my dead father, saying he had married a wifewithout fortune, instead of following his (my uncle's) example--usinghis title as a bait with which to catch an heiress. His Excellency sawthe likeness, too; for he politely turned the conversation, and led meto his antechamber, where I am sure he gave his footman orders to say'Not at home' in future, if ever I should trouble to call again. Buttell me more, all you know, about my future wife. "

"Well, she has had no education. Her manners are rude----"

"That I have gathered from my aunt's letter; but it is not herfault, poor girl. I must try to improve her, and be both lover andschoolmaster to my wife. Who knows--perhaps I must also teach hermusic and dancing!"

"At any rate, you will not have to teach her fencing, for she's alreadyan adept at that--at least, according to Charles Felters' report. "

"The deuce she is!" exclaimed Leopold, laughing; "that's almost enoughto frighten one. "

"Charles was really frightened. At that time she was a very young girl, yet she was already generally known in the little garrison-town whereshe lived by the nickname of Major Frank. "

"The nickname does not sound flattering, I must confess; however, I will see if there is not some way of enrolling this major under mycolours, and then she shall retire from military life to settle downas a civilian. "

"It does me good to see you treat the matter so lightly, for thereis nothing for it but your making the attempt. "

"It has always been my maxim to take a cheerful view of things, "said Leopold, with a touch of melancholy in his tone; "and, alas! Ihave been forced to do so under adverse circumstances hitherto. Andnow, my good fellow, let us go and look out for some dinner. I canrecommend Pyl's Restaurant. "

"Why not at the Club?" asked Verheyst; "there we shall meet manyfriends whom I wish to see before my departure. "

"I am no longer a member, my dear fellow. After my father's death Iwas obliged to cut down all unnecessary expenses, as my mother had buta small pension, and I could bear retrenchment better than a personof her age. It is not the subscription, it is the company one meetswhich leads to extravagance, and those quiet little supper parties, the invitations to which it is impossible to refuse. "

At dinner, over a good bottle of wine, William made Leopold promise towrite a full account of all that should take place during his absencein Java, and send to him by mail from time to time. We can only hopethat this story will prove no less interesting to our readers thanit did to William Verheyst. 

CHAPTER V. 

Leopold van Zonshoven to Mr. William Verheyst. 

My dear Friend, --Whilst you are sailing down the Red Sea, I amentrusting to paper what I would not confide to any living mortalbut yourself. 

My fortune still hangs in the balance. Without doubt the worthytestatrix has done everything possible to insure her heritage to me;but there are moments when I feel so great a repugnance to it as tomake me question whether it were not better to renounce it than tobecome the instrument of Miss Roselaer de Werve's vengeance on thisside the grave. The idea of having to drive a grey-headed old manfrom his manor-house, and to render a poor young lady, who has afamily claim on her aunt's inheritance, houseless, is too much forme, though a whimsical old woman and the law have done their utmostto set my conscience at ease. 

But to commence my story. The day after you left me, I went over toUtrecht to call on the lawyer, Van Beek. Perhaps in the hurry of ourparting I forgot to tell you this was my intention. At such times aman often forgets the most important things he has to say. 

The worthy functionary is a short, thin personage, with a tuft of hairhanging over his forehead, sharp eyes, a long, thin nose, and thinlips always closed; in fact, a perfect type of the shrewd, clever, but inexorable lawyer. 

He received me seated in an armchair, clad in a grey office coat, and with a solemn white neckcloth fastened round his neck so tightlythat I really was afraid it would choke him. 

When I entered the room he rose to salute me with a polite bow, and only when he had learnt my name and my resolve to carry out theintentions of the testatrix did a fine smile play about his mouth--asmile which seemed to say: "You've come round, then, at last, thoughyou appeared to hesitate at first. "

After a few words as to the sudden death of his client, and herexpress wish to be buried as quietly as possible, without theattendance of any of her relations, he told me he had been theconfidential adviser of Lady Roselaer for the last thirty years, and was consequently able to give me all necessary information withregard to her dealings with General von Zwenken, and her intentionsin respect of his granddaughter. 

I should only weary you if I attempted to relate all the pitifulstories of mischief-making and counter-mischief-making with which, long before the birth of Francis, the General and Aunt Sophiaendeavoured to render each other's life miserable. I now comprehendthat she neither could nor would leave her fortune to such a man, and I approve of the course she has taken for Francis' sake, whowould have been the greatest sufferer if her aunt had not acted withso much foresight and prudence. The General is a spendthrift, or, to put it in the mildest terms, a bad financier. His affairs, thelawyer says--and the lawyer evidently knows more about them than theGeneral does himself--are in such a state that, to use an expressionof Macaulay's, "the whole wealth of the East would not suffice toput them in order and keep them so. "

Still, does this justify my aunt's inexorable hatred? I am sure, ifyou saw her portrait, you would scarcely believe her capable of it:a stately dame in a rich black silk gown, with silvery grey hair undera black lace cap, and a string of priceless pearls round her neck--soshe appears in a painting done in the last year of her life. And thisshe has bequeathed to her legal adviser, because she believed noneof her relations would be able to look upon it with pleasure. On thispoint, I fancy, she was not far deceived. I myself, her favoured heir, honestly confess that much must happen, much be cleared up, before Ican regard it with any degree of cheerfulness and gratitude, seeing Iknow what a Shylock-spirit once breathed in that thin, slender figureof a woman. The lawyer bore testimony to her kindness to the poor, but said she was very singular in her ways of life and thought. Beingstrictly orthodox himself, he accounts for all her singularitiesby saying they are the outcome of her great admiration of the ideasprevalent in the eighteenth century; she was an admirer of Rousseau, and actually adorned her room with a statuette of Voltaire. In fact, she had herself painted holding a volume of Voltaire's Correspondencein her hand, though she knew this would not be particularly pleasingto the future possessor of that portrait. 

"Well, well, Jonker, " he continued, "since you ask me for the truthabout the life and actions of your deceased aunt, I must tell you sheseldom went to church, and when she did it was to the French church, though she was not a member of it. [1] She gave large sums every yearto all sorts of institutions; subscribed liberally to any fund forthe benefit of the lower classes; but would never give a penny tothe Church. If I sometimes tried to change her views on this point, she cut me short by saying it was a matter of conscience with hernot to contribute to the increase of a race of hypocrites. You willunderstand that in my position I could not insist further on thissubject. Besides, she did not make use of her riches for herself, except with the greatest economy. She occupied a small villa justoutside the town of Utrecht, and her beautiful country-seat inGelderland, as well as her magnificent house in town, were both letto strangers. She kept but one man-servant, an aged waiting-woman, and a cook. The gardener who rented her kitchen-garden supplied herwith vegetables, and kept her flowers in order. She had no carriage, and sometimes did not go out for weeks together. Neither did shereceive company, denying herself to all visitors except Dr. D. , her oldfriend, who made a professional visit every day, and came regularlytwo evenings a week with his married sister to play cards. I saw heras often as business affairs rendered it necessary, and once a monthshe invited me, my wife and daughter, to dinner. On these occasionsDr. D. And his sister were also invited; but I never remember tohave met any one else, except the painter who did this portrait, and to whom she has left a nice little legacy. He was a young manwith roguish eyes, and beautiful mustachios; and I suspect he madelove to her à la Voltaire, for she bought drawings of him which shenever even looked at. He was, otherwise, a good young fellow, witha widowed mother to maintain; and the capital she has left is largeenough to permit of such a freak of fancy----"

"Oh, certainly!" I interrupted, "I am glad that the latter days ofher monotonous life were cheered by anybody. But what you have toldme of her views with regard to the Church leads me to doubt whetherI ought to accept her heritage, since, once in possession of it, Ishall feel it my duty to make use of her money for purposes directlycontrary to her wishes. "

"I don't think you need have any scruples; for she was very wellacquainted with the character of Jonker van Zonshoven, and what mightbe expected of him in such matters. Yet you see this did not deterher from entrusting her fortune to you. Besides, she was liberalenough with regard to the views of other people. Her maid is strictlyorthodox, and yet every Sunday a carriage was placed at her serviceto convey her to church; and she is left well provided for duringthe rest of her life. It is probable Lady Roselaer considered youthe person likely to make good what she had left undone either fromfalse shame or obstinacy. Had this not been her intention, she was awoman who would have taken measures to prevent her will being ignored, even after her death. "

CHAPTER VI. 

With regard to the Castle de Werve, I have found out that it issituated on the borders of Gelderland and Overyssel, and is surroundedby extensive woods, moors, and arable land. It is at present occupiedby General von Zwenken, and formerly was in the possession of AuntSophia's parents. To its possession is attached the title of Baron, with seignorial rights--rights which in our time are little more thannominal, yet to which old Aunt Sophia seems to have attached immensevalue. Her father, old Baron Roselaer van de Werve, had no son (a greattrial for him, as you may suppose), but three daughters, of whom AuntSophia was the second, and my mother's mother the youngest. The eldest, Lady Mary Ann, became, on the death of her father, the rightful heir tothe Castle de Werve and the estates attached to it. This arrangementwas exceedingly offensive to Aunt Sophia, who had expected her fatherto leave the castle to her, and at one time she had good reasons forfostering such expectations. 

Her eldest sister had been the source of much grief and sorrow to theold people. She had secretly entered into a romantic love-engagementwith a young Swiss officer--then Captain von Zwenken--and consideringit impossible to obtain the consent of her parents to such a marriage, she eloped with Von Zwenken, who took her to Switzerland, where theywere married. This union, according to Dutch law, and in the opinionof Aunt Sophia, was illegal. The weak parents (as Sophia called them), however, at length became reconciled to their son-in-law, and whenthe lost child returned to her old home in reduced circumstances, her parents received her with open arms. 

In this family scene of reconciliation, Aunt Sophia imitated theeldest son in the parable. She had never been on good terms with herromantic sister; she persisted in regarding her brother-in-law asan abductor and a deceiver, who had obtruded himself on the family;charged her parents with blameworthy infirmity of purpose, and, in short, declined all reconciliation. 

The stay of the young people under the parental roof was brief; buteven these few days were stormy, and sufficed to divide the familyconnexions into two parties, for and against the Von Zwenkens. AuntSophia's strong point was the irregularity of the marriage, solemnizedin a foreign country. Those who disagreed with her and recognizedthe Swiss captain as a relation, she looked upon as deadly enemies;while those who took her side in the contest were received by Baronand Baroness Roselaer with freezing coolness. In a word, it was thehistory of the Montagues and the Capulets re-enacted on a small scalein the eighteenth century on Dutch territory. They did not attack eachother with dagger and poison, but used the tongue for weapon. Theyannoyed, they insulted each other, whenever and wherever they foundan opportunity; there were hair-splitting disputes, and retaliationwithout truce or pity; and lawsuits followed which swallowed large sumsof money. A good business for the lawyers, who only made "confusionworse confounded. "

When old Baroness Roselaer--who always pleaded for peace andforgiveness--shortly afterwards died, Sophia thought she would beable to exert unlimited influence over her father, as she now becamethe recognized mistress of the house. She even took advantage ofher position, during the stay of her brother-in-law for the funeral, to make him so uncomfortable, that on leaving the house he told theold Baron he would never enter it again. Sophia was in triumph. Shethought she had banished Von Zwenken from the house; but she forgother sister's children, and the joy and pride the old Baron was likelyto take in a grandson and future heir to his title and estates. Thoughhe never talked to Sophia on the subject, he was secretly embitteredagainst her as being the cause of this new estrangement, and his greatpleasure was to visit his grandchildren; and what is more surprising, Sophia never suspected these visits. 

Try, then, to imagine the effect produced upon her when her father'swill was read, and she found that the Castle de Werve, with itsseignorial rights, descended to Madame von Zwenken and her children. 

It is true she inherited a just share of the property; but the verypart she loved best, the home of her childhood, where she had beenbrought up, and which she never willingly would have quitted, wastaken from her and given to the man whom she considered so unworthyof it, and so little capable of appreciating the advantages attachedto its possession. She felt herself slighted, and to this slightis to be attributed the restless hatred and unrelenting bitternesswith which she pursued the General during the rest of her life. Shedeclared her brother and sister had worked upon her father's feelingsby cunning and intrigue; and she would never believe that the oldBaron had left them the property of his own free-will, or for thesake of his grandchildren. 

It being now the Captain's opportunity, he ordered her to leave thehouse with all possible speed; and this was the more galling, as hedid not himself retire from active service and occupy the castle as theold Baron had desired him to do. He was changed about from one garrisontown to another, daily expecting to be ordered on foreign service, andtherefore unable to derive much enjoyment from his possessions. Hiswife and children would sometimes stay a few weeks at the castlein the summer; but the former did not long survive her father. Thechildren stayed with Von Zwenken in the garrison, until the daughterwas old enough to go to a boarding-school in Switzerland, and the sonto be placed under a tutor, who was to coach him for the university. 

I agree with Aunt Sophia in her assertion that Von Zwenken was not the"right man in the right place. " He made no good use of his possessions;and the house was entrusted to a care-keeper, who was as incompetent ashe afterwards proved himself dishonest. The old steward, who had beendismissed to make room for this stranger, was immediately engaged byAunt Sophia to stay in the neighbourhood and keep her informed of allthat happened at the castle. For though she had removed to anotherprovince in which her own estates were situated, she could neitherseparate her affections nor her thoughts from her old home. 

Sometimes the Captain, who had now obtained the rank of Major, wouldcome with a party of friends for the shooting, but he never seemed toobserve that the whole place was going to rack and ruin. Further, hewas always in want of money; and when his daughter married an Englishofficer, Sir John Mordaunt, he was obliged to sell a considerablepart of his estates, so as to be able to give her the portion of thefortune left her by her mother. 

He had already several mortgages on the property, and as his son led awild life at college these went on increasing from year to year; until, when at last on obtaining his colonel's pension and the honorary rankof general he was able to retire to the Castle de Werve, all he couldcall his own was the house, garden, and surrounding grounds. 

Aunt Sophia, on the contrary, whom it must be confessed was a sharp, clever woman, had in the meantime doubled her fortune, besidesinheriting largely from a rich cousin who had taken her part in thefamily quarrel. 

As the proverb says, "hatred has four eyes, " and so she, making useof the information obtained from the old steward, appointed a lawyerto buy up on her behalf all the land sold by the General. This lawyerhad further instructions to advance money on the mortgages, and toexact the interest with the greatest promptitude. In this way myaunt became so well acquainted with Von Zwenken's money difficulties, that she could calculate the day, nay, even the hour, when he wouldbe at her mercy. 

At last, imagining the favourable moment had arrived, she sent a lawyerto offer him a much larger sum for the castle and the seignorialrights than any one else would be likely to give, seeing that shewas secretly in possession of the surrounding estates. 

The General's answer was to this effect: "He would not sell theseignorial rights at any price; and as for the castle, he had promisedhis deceased wife to keep her sister out of it at all costs, and hewould rather see it fall about his ears than that Miss Sophia Roselaershould ever set foot inside it again. "

Poor man, he little knew how much she had him in her power, and allthe precautions she had taken. Otherwise he would have reflectedtwice before sending such an answer. Something suddenly occurredwhich obliged him to mortgage even the house itself--the cause is amystery--and now Aunt Sophia might have been revenged; but for someinexplicable reason she countermanded her orders to Van Beek, whodoes not himself know why. Just before her death she sent for him tochange her will, and it was on this occasion she made me her sole heir. 

CHAPTER VII. 

I was invited to stay to luncheon by my lawyer, and I accepted theinvitation. 

In the course of the conversation Van Beek said--

"The country seat, Runenburg, will be at your disposal on the 31stof October next; but the house in town is let till the May following, and the tenants would like to stay on, if it be agreeable to you. Theyare very respectable people. How am I to act in the matter?"

I stared at him in surprise and perplexity. Such a strange feelingcame over me. I who have never possessed a stick or a stone in my life(in fact, I always felt it a relief when the quarter's lodging bill waspaid), now I had to decide about a house in town and a country seat. 

"I think, Mr. Van Beek, everything had better remain as it is untilthe question of my marriage with Miss Mordaunt is settled. "

"The Jonker forgets that that condition is not binding. "

"I look upon it as binding, though such may not be the legalinterpretation of the will. "

"Would you not like to see the house whilst you are in Utrecht? Itis beautifully situated, and well worth a visit, I can assure you. "

"No, thank you, sir; but I should like to see the house in which myaunt lived: from its surroundings I may be able to obtain a betteridea of her character. "

"Oh, with pleasure, Jonker! I thought I had already told you, " beganVan Beek, somewhat embarrassed, "that the old lady had bequeathedit to me, on condition her maid should occupy it as long as shelives. It is a splendid legacy; that I do not deny. But consider, I have served her thirty years in all kinds of business, some ofwhich cost me much trouble and loss of time. And I may remind youthat there is no extra money set aside for my expenses as executor, whilst I am recommended to assist the heir in every way, and to servehim to the best of my ability by my counsel. "

"My dear sir, " I rejoined, "it was to be expected that aunt wouldtreat you generously. It is not my intention to dispute any of herbequests. It will be a sort of pilgrimage for me. "

"We will drive there at once after luncheon. It is only half an hour'sdistance from the town. "

I must confess the interior of my aunt's dwelling did not enable me togather any new ideas of the strange personage who once occupied it. Theold waiting-woman received us with coolness, and chanted the praisesof her late mistress in pious terms. The young cook shed a torrentof tears, and was evidently astonished not to see me do the same;whilst the man-servant eyed me askance, as if he feared I had comethere to cut off his legacy. The house was furnished in a moderatelycomfortable style, most of the furniture being of the good solidsort common in the reign of King William I. , though there had beenan attempt to imitate the style of the First French Empire. There wasonly one sofa in the house, and one armchair à la Voltaire, in whichMiss Roselaer reposed herself for just one hour after dinner everyday. She must have been a clever, active woman up to the very last. 

"She was always making up her accounts or writing, " said her maid, "when she was not either reading or knitting. "

"And what did she read?" I asked. 

"Mostly 'unbelieving books'--those in the bookcase there; sometimes, but very seldom, the Bible. "

The "unbelieving books" were French, German, and English classics. Ipointed out to Van Beek that I should like to possess this smallbut well-selected library. All the books are beautifully though notshowily bound, and they bear marks of assiduous reading. Among the"unbelieving books" are the works of Fénelon, Bossuet, and Pascal, peacefully assorted with those of Voltaire and the Encyclopædists, whilst Lavater, Gellert, Lessing, and Klopstock find a place by theside of Goethe and Schiller, and the plays of Iffland and Kotzebue. 

This was the first moment of unalloyed pleasure I have felt since Icame into my fortune, when I once more cast my eyes over the libraryand beheld it with all the pride of ownership. I involuntarily putforth my hand to snatch up one of the volumes, as if I thereby wishedto signify I was taking possession. Van Beek smiled and twinkled hiscunning little eyes; but the maid, who was standing by, looked at meas though I had committed a sacrilege. 

"I should rather have thought the Jonker would have preferred mylady's Bible, " she said. 

"I should certainly like the Bible as well as the other books, Mrs. Jones--that is to say, unless you wish to keep it yourself asa memento. "

"Oh no, Jonker! such a worldly, new-fashioned book I would not havein my possession. I can't look upon it as God's word; and I couldnever understand how my lady found edification in it. "

"What's the matter with the Bible?" I asked Van Beek as we leftthe house. 

"Nothing, absolutely nothing. It is an ordinary States-Bible, onlynot printed in the old-fashioned German type. " [2]

Upon my word, I thought aunt must indeed have been prettyliberal-minded to have put up with so bigoted a servant for somany years. 

The next day I set out for the small town of Zutphen, which is withinan easy drive of the Castle de Werve. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Castle de Werve, April, 1861. 

You see, my dear William, I have entered the fortress. 

But to resume my narrative. Van Beek gave me a letter of introductionto his friend Overberg, a lawyer in Zutphen, and I called upon thisworthy man of the law as soon as I arrived in the town. This Overbergwas the agent of my old Aunt Roselaer in these quarters, and it wasthrough his good management of her affairs that she gradually obtainedpossession of Von Zwenken's property, as the General usually borrowedmoney of Overberg. After all, the General was more fortunate thanif he had fallen into the hands of usurers, who, speculating on hisweakness, would have ruined him in a much shorter time. Overberg hadadvised the General to accept the offer of his sister-in-law--withwhat result you already know. For this reason he recommended me, if I wished to obtain a kindly reception at the Castle, not topresent myself there as the heir to Miss Roselaer's property; suchan introduction being calculated to raise a prejudice against mefrom the first. Therefore I decided to present myself as a relationanxious to make the acquaintance of the family. 

Seizing the opportunity, I began to question Overberg about MissMordaunt. 

"I have only spoken to her once, " he said; "the General always comesto see me in person. She is never seen in the town now. Once, indeed, whilst the General was still commandant of the garrison here, shecame to consult me on a matter personal to herself, but that is along time ago. "

The good-natured lawyer, though ignorant of my matrimonial plans, doubtless read disappointment in my face, for he resumed, as if toexcuse the meagreness of his information--

"You see, sir, the General then lived in grand style; and a widedistinction was also made in society between the military and thebourgeoisie. I was a widower, my time fully occupied, and I seldom wentinto society. Since my second marriage, however, we have parties anddinners enough--and that reminds me my wife has a soirée this evening;several young ladies who know Miss Mordaunt are invited. Will you spendthe evening with us? You can leave tomorrow early for the Werve. I willintroduce you to the company as a gentleman looking out for a villa inour neighbourhood; for as you know, in a small town like ours, it isnecessary to give a reason for your appearance among us, otherwise onewill be invented--and such inventions are not always of a flatteringkind. I can easily give the conversation a turn so as to cause it tofall on the family Von Zwenken, and you need only keep your ears open. "

This idea took my fancy; I accepted the invitation with pleasure, for a little society would help me to pass the evening more agreeablythan I could spend it at my hotel. 

We dined quietly en famille, and Overberg and his wife--hospitable, jovial people--seemed to me to belie the French verse--

 "De petits avocats, Qui se sont fait des sous, En rognant des ducats. "

Mr. Overberg is a shrewd, clever lawyer, who perfectly understands hisbusiness and the way to treat his clients politely and persuasively;he always discourages lawsuits, recommends delay and an attempt at anarrangement, and thus quietly brings about the desired result without, as it were, seeming to interfere. Aunt Sophia respected him highly forhis discretion and foresight, though she took care never to let himsee through her intentions, since he was not the man to take sharpand decisive measures. For any such business she employed Van Beek, who is a man to carry out the law to the letter, without feeling anypity for the sufferer. 

It was therefore in keeping with Overberg's character that herecommended me to temporize with the General, to give him time topay his debts, and not to drive such an old man to despair, thoughhe was a foreigner. The good man little knew he was preaching to onewho already shared his views, and whose inmost wish was to deal asgently as possible with Von Zwenken. 

I must acknowledge that what I heard at the soirée did not make afavourable impression on me. The past life of the young lady musthave been a singular one, if there be any truth in the gossip I heardabout her. I know much must be set down to slander in a small town, where people are at a loss what to talk about when not criticisingtheir neighbours. 

But, however, you must judge for yourself from what follows. 

Among the ladies to whom I was introduced was a charming youngwidow with jet-black eyes and lively features; she is a niece ofthe Roselaers, I am told, and at first I felt very sorry her namewas not Francis Mordaunt, the niece-elect of Aunt Sophia. However, when Overberg had drawn her out a little on the subject of the VonZwenkens, I felt exceedingly glad to think our acquaintance wouldnot extend beyond the present evening. 

I began to feel a most intense hatred against her, so unmercifullydid she attack poor Francis. 

"Yes, they had been well acquainted when her grandfather was commandantof the garrison, and she herself had visited at the house of theColonel. But no, friendship had never existed between her and theyoung lady; she was too eccentric and ill-mannered. Just imagine, Jonker, she came to our house one evening when she knew there was tobe dancing and music. Yes, she dropped in, as nonchalant as possible, in a dark merino dress, fastened up to the neck, with a turn-downcollar and a silk neckerchief--just for all the world like a boy. Andher boots--they might have belonged to some plough-boy. Upon my word, I believe there were nails in the soles; a non-commissioned officerwould not have been so rude as to enter a salon in them. "

"Perhaps she had made a mistake about the evening, " I said, by wayof excuse. 

"Certainly not! She received her invitation a week beforehand. Surelythat was time enough to get a ball-dress made. And it was not becauseshe hadn't got any other dresses; for two days afterwards she cameto a house where we were invited to spend a quiet evening, en grandetoilette, a low dress (as if she expected to be invited to dance), and resplendent with jewellery and diamonds. Now I ask you if thatwas not done to annoy us and to wound our feelings?"

"It seems to me she took more trouble to do honour to the ladies thanshe had taken to please the gentlemen. "

"The truth is, she was not at all complimentary to the gentlemen, "rejoined a thin, elderly-looking spinster of an uncertain age, dressedin an old-fashioned style, who I should have thought would have beenthe last person to come to the defence of a sex that had so clearlyneglected her. 

"And the gentlemen--no doubt they reciprocated her nonchalance?" Iasked. "It is very probable she was left in the company of the elderlyladies all the evening to increase the number of 'wall flowers. '"

"Yes! but it was because she wished it, " replied the widow. "Shewould be sure of partners, though she were never such a fright. Allthe young officers are, as a matter of course, obliged 'to do theamiable' to the granddaughter of their colonel. Moreover, FrancisMordaunt is mistress of the art of attracting or repelling as itpleases her. Notwithstanding all her strange whims and caprices, she is never at a loss for a partner, and the moment she enters anyball-room she becomes the observed of all observers. The gentlemenflock round her; she is flattered, flirted with----"

"Yes, flirted with, I grant you; but not respected, I'm sure, "interrupted the elderly spinster. "It is chiefly done to draw outher smart repartees, and the unladylike answers which have made herso famous (or rather infamous). "

"In fact everybody is amused at her scathing replies. "

"Which the ladies are afraid of, " said a gentleman, half jestingly, half reproachfully, "for as a rule they are as true as they are sharp. "

"As a rule she makes the gentlemen the butt of her raillery. "

"How strange then, indeed, that the ladies take her part so little!" Icould not help remarking. 

"That is not strange, Jonker! The peculiar manner she has adopted torender herself noticeable is just the one our sex cannot suffer. Inall her victories we saw a defeat; the good tone was lost. "

"And how did the party pass off for Miss Mordaunt in that curiousdress?" I inquired, for I had less interest in carrying on a combatd'esprit with the vicious little widow than in drawing out a morecomplete sketch of Francis' character, though it might be colouredby slander. 

"Just as she wished it, I believe. In the early part of the eveningshe was somewhat neglected, and this was evidently her wish, for shedid nothing to prevent it; on the contrary, she had told the hostessthat she had resolved not to dance, in such a loud and decided tone, that it would have been absurd for any one to invite her afterwards. "

"She's cunning enough, " put in the elderly spinster. "She only saidthat lest afterwards she should feel ashamed of herself at the closeof the party, in case no one invited her to dance. "

"In fact, it requires more moral courage than the gentlemen in theseparts as a rule possess to lead out a lady dressed as she was, "interposed the widow again. 

"It appears that the custom of not sparing us gentlemen is catching, "whispered an officer, who had been introduced as Captain Sanders. 

I silently bowed, for I wished to listen to Mrs. X. , who continued--

"Finally, however, when the cotillon was called, she must join, and theunfortunate leader of the dance had to sacrifice himself. LieutenantWilibald, her grandfather's adjutant, was obliged to take her in tow, mustering up all his courage. After showing a good deal of resistance, which appeared seriously meant, she allowed herself to be led out, but did nothing to lighten her partner's unpleasant task. On thecontrary, she was so recalcitrant, so inattentive and so awkward, that she often caused confusion, and her partner had the greatestdifficulty to rectify her mistakes. Indeed, the polite young officerwas pitied by the whole company, and the more so because it was knownthat he was sacrificing himself to a sense of duty; for he was engagedto a charming young lady who had been prevented from attending theball by a recent death in the family. "

"Pardon, madame; permit me to say that your representation of thefacts is not quite correct, " interrupted Captain Sanders, in whosefavour I immediately became prepossessed on account of his seriousand earnest look. "Allow me to set you right as to facts, for I ama friend of Lieutenant Wilibald's, and I know he would be sorry ifwhat you have said should go forth to the world as truth. It was byno means a disagreeable task for him to lead out Miss Mordaunt in anydress she chose to appear in, for he was too much in love with herto notice such small matters as dress. Yes, I venture to say, if ithad depended on him alone he would not have married the woman he has;but he was forced by circumstances, and Miss Mordaunt did her utmostto promote the marriage and to put him in possession of a fortune. "

I inwardly thanked the Captain for his chivalrous defence of theabsent, and I would gladly have taken him by the hand and done sopublicly, but that this would have prevented my hearing more on thesubject of Francis. 

"And has Miss Mordaunt been married since?" I asked, trying to putthe question as disinterestedly as possible. 

"Why, no!" cried the elderly spinster with a triumphant smile. "Sofar as we know (and we know pretty well everything that happens inour circle), she has never had an offer. "

"Ah! that is very strange; a young lady who seems to be possessed ofso many attractions, " I observed. 

"That's not at all strange, " interrupted the little widow, in acoquettish, sentimental tone. "It was never difficult for her toattract admirers and flatterers for the moment, but it is only bythe heart that a woman wins true affection and esteem; and, with theCaptain's permission, no one could ever believe Francis Mordaunt tobe in earnest, for she has no heart--she never cared for anythingbut horses and dogs. "

"You forget her grandfather!" pleaded the Captain. 

"Well, yes, she has been his idol; but this very fact has turned outher ruin. "

"How are we to understand that remark, madame?" asked Overberg, whose jovial face grew serious. 

"That he has left the girl far too much to her own whims and fancies. "

"What shall I say, chère amie? He was afraid of her. " (It was theelderly spinster who again began the attack. ) "He could roar at hisofficers, but he was afraid of a scene with Francis. "

"Excuse me for once more contradicting you, miss. Colonel von Zwenkennever roared at his officers--this I know by experience; but it istrue he was conspicuous by his absence when Francis Mordaunt wentinto society. He suffered her to go out when she liked, and with whomshe liked. Alas! he sat at the card table in his club whilst Francisby her thoughtlessness and certain peculiarities in her character, was rendering herself a victim to calumny and envious tongues. "

"Bravo, Captain! it's noble of you to defend the absent. "

"I am only sorry I cannot do so without blaming another absent person;but what I say is known, and well known, in this circle. "

"As well known as the eccentricities of Major Frank. Whatever CaptainSanders may say, we are not making her conduct appear worse than itis; we are only speaking of it as it struck us at the time. "

"That everybody must acknowledge, " said an old lady, who had thus farlistened with sparkling eyes. "Only remember what talk her conductgave rise to when she met the stranger staying at the 'Golden Salmon, 'by appointment, unknown to the Colonel, who had forbidden the man hishouse! Did she not set all our ideas of good breeding at defiance bywalking in the plantation in open daylight with a perfect stranger. "

"In fact, I am assured she pawned her diamonds to pay his hotelbill. She even wished to sell them, for she asked a friend of mineto buy them. "

Overberg's healthy, blooming face turned pale; but he said nothing. TheCaptain, however, spoke again--

"It is only too true she would risk all to attain her ends, if shehad once set her mind on a thing. "

"And that for a person who went to a third-rate hotel--did not evengive his own name, as it was said afterwards; and who certainly wasa sharper or a coiner. "

"If such had been the case, the police would have looked after himsharp, " interposed Overberg. 

"That is my opinion also, " said the Captain; "and I think WilibaldSmeekens was right. He said it was some one who had formerly committeda breach of military discipline, and whom she out of pity wished toassist in getting out of the country. "

"Ahem! out of pity, " said the old lady. "Young ladies should be carefulhow they show such pity--carrying on an intrigue. I can assure youthat at the time it was a question whether we ought not to banishher from our society. "

"But no one dared to pronounce the sentence of banishment, " said theCaptain, "for fear of the Colonel, who had it in his power to refusethe military music for the balls and open-air concerts in summer. Andthis he certainly would have done if he had known what was hatchingagainst his granddaughter. But the ladies were more prudent; theypulled poor Francis to pieces behind her back. "

"With this result, " added the elderly spinster, "that of her ownaccord she almost entirely withdrew from our society. "

"No, there is another reason, " said the widow, with a significantshake of the head; "it was not our treatment, but her own consciencewhich pricked her after that affair with her coachman. "

"Yes, you are quite right; that was a sad affair, " assented theCaptain, to my painful surprise. 

The honourable man, who had evidently combatted calumny and slander, was now silenced. I wished to ask what had happened, but the wordsstuck in my throat; I felt as if they would choke me. The postmaster, however, who had just entered the room, put the question, which thetongues of the ladies were quivering with impatience to answer. 

"Unfortunately, no one knows the exact particulars, " began the elderlyspinster, whose shrill, sharp voice made itself heard above the rest;"but it is generally believed she wished to make her coachman elopewith her. Possibly she might have succeeded, but the man was alreadymarried, and when that became known----"

"She pitched him off the box whilst the horses were going at a furiousrate, " put in the old lady, with a demoniacal smile of pleasure. 

"Others who are supposed to know, say she struck him dead with thewhip, " added the little widow, who must have her say. "Horrible! mosthorrible!" she continued, turning up her eyes with mock sentimentality. 

Yes, horrible indeed, thought I, when both young ladies and old viewith each other in a wicked desire to give the coup de grâce to oneof their own sex who has erred, or, may be, only taken one false stepin life. 

"I have been told, " murmured another voice, "that she fought with him;and the horses taking fright, he fell from the box under their feet. "

"However it happened, the truth will never be known, for he now liesin the churchyard. "

"Yes, now you've got the truth without any figures of speech, " jestedthe widow; "and with him the crime is buried, and hushed up for ever. "

"With your permission, ladies, had there been a question of anythingof that sort, the law would have taken its course, " observed Overberg;"and I know for certain it was never brought before a court. "

"That I can believe, " answered the widow. "The magistrate is agreat friend of the Colonel's, plays cards with him every evening, and to palliate the affair, and silence public indignation, he madean official visit to the commandant's house. Francis Mordaunt wasexamined, and, as might be expected beforehand, came out of theaffair snow-white--at least, according to the magistrate's report, "added the widow, with a satirical shrug of the shoulders. 

"But, madame, " interposed Overberg, evidently growing angry, "do youmean to say you suspect the impartiality of the magistrate?"

"I suspect no one; I only tell you how the affair ended--namely, that it was hushed up, and the relations of the coachman bribed tokeep quiet. Such people are easily frightened. One thing, however, is certain, and that is, Major Frank has not dared to show her facein our circle since; and besides this, it seems to have been thecause of her grandfather retiring from the service. "

"He had attained the age to be put on the retired list, " said theCaptain; "and with his pension he obtained the honorary rank ofGeneral. "

"Be that as it may, the General retired from the world to Castle deWerve, " observed the old lady. 

"Where, now, Major Frank has the command, " put in the spinster. 

"And spends her time in riding and shooting, " added the little widow, turning up her nose superciliously. 

"I venture to contradict the latter part of the assertion with regardto the shooting, " said Overberg; "for the General has not renewed hisshooting license and has leased the shooting over his own estates toa client of mine, who, however, leaves the hares and partridges inperfect peace. "

This latter remark led to a long conversation amongst the gentlemenabout the shooting and fishing in the neighbourhood, whilst the ladiesset to work to sharpen their tongues on other absent victims. 

CHAPTER IX. 

Notwithstanding all my efforts to appear calm and unconcerned, Overberg observed that the hard judgment passed on Francis had madea deep impression on my mind. Taking me aside, he whispered in my ear--

"We will talk this subject over to-morrow morning before yourdeparture; in the meantime don't let it trouble you. You know theproverb: 'The devil's not so black as he is painted. '"

It was easy for him to talk; but, alas! he knew not yet the reasonsI had for being so deeply interested in this young lady. 

I passed a restless night. In the morning, when the carriage I hadordered over-night drove up to the door, I was still debating inmy own mind whether I should go to the Werve, or tell my driver totake me to the nearest station and return to the Hague. After a fewminutes, however, Overberg made his appearance, and accosted me inthe following words--

"I believe I have guessed your noble intention, which is to make theacquaintance of Miss Mordaunt, and, if she please you, to remove alldifficulties in the most amiable manner possible. I cannot tell you howpraiseworthy, how wise and sensible, your plan seems to me; but whatsurprises me is that the testatrix never suggested it to you, she beinga woman of such clear and sound judgment in matters of this sort. "

"She has given me such a hint--I will no longer try to conceal itfrom you--and it was my intention to follow her advice. But what Iheard last night has quite changed my mind on that point. "

"Nonsense! Never let gossip have any influence over you. Rememberthat people living in a small town are possessed by the evil spiritof slander, and furthermore, that they express their opinions in avery crude manner. "

"That's all well and good; but in a small town where every one isknown by his neighbour, people would not dare to calumniate andslander each other without grounds. "

"I will not attempt to contradict your statement; but let me remindyou that certain uncommon occurrences and eccentric acts on the partof a young lady may be explained in different ways, and why shouldyou believe the worse account of them, coloured as it certainly is byenvy, hatred, and malice. I willingly confess I could not contradictall that was said about Miss Mordaunt last night; my business hasalways been with her grandfather, who speaks of her in the highestterms. For this reason I could not foresee that the ladies would be sosevere on her conduct. Otherwise I should have avoided the subject, andmade inquiries for you of people less prejudiced and more trustworthy. "

"Do you know any such people here?"

"Such people can be found. Why, in my professional career, I have sooften seen the most wicked accusations burst like a soap-bubble whensubmitted to the touchstone of cross-examination, that now I believenothing which I have not seen with my own eyes, or for which I havenot proofs equal to the same. "

"Then with regard to the diamonds, you have some certain proofs?" Iasked. 

"You are right; I was engaged in that business. The young lady requiredmore money than the goldsmith was willing to advance on them; and theywere never offered for sale unless he took such a liberty during thehour he had them in his possession. In her difficulties she came to me, her grandfather's lawyer. I obtained the money from Miss Roselaer, as I always did for the General, and she refused either to take thediamonds or accept the interest on the money she lent; consequentlythe diamonds are still in my possession. "

"And do you know for what purpose this money was required?"

"It was to assist a person who dared not apply to the General (and, between you and me, the General had not a penny to assist any onewith). What the relationship between them was I am unable to say. Thestranger only stayed four days in the village, and I did not seehim myself. Of course I have heard the flying reports. Some peoplesay he was dressed like a gentleman, and had a gentleman's manners;others, on the contrary, describe him as a rogue and a vagabond, who got drunk in the lowest public-houses in the place. This latteraccount may also be true, for, as you know, a woman's sympathy isoften bestowed on the most undeserving creatures. "

"With regard to the coachman, you must allow her womanly sympathydoes not show itself in a favourable light, " I interposed, with acertain bitterness in my tone. 

"I am unacquainted with the facts of that case. Still, I fancy it isfar from such a bad case as the amiable ladies made it out to be; andin your place I should not suffer it to interfere with my projectedvisit to the Werve. Miss Mordaunt has been accused, in my presence, of brusque manners, imprudent behaviour, and so forth; but she isrenowned for her plain and straightforward dealing, which has broughther into disrepute with her female friends, they preferring to saythe most impertinent things in the blandest tone possible. I am sureyou will find out the truth if you ask her a plain question. Besides, a single visit will not commit you to anything, and an interview withthe General to arrange matters will be absolutely necessary. "

There was no refuting Overberg's line of argument. I confessed tomyself that it would be unfair on my part to form an opinion untilafter a personal interview and further inquiries. So, accepting hisadvice, I stepped into the carriage, and ordered the driver to takethe road to the Castle de Werve. 

The morning was raw and cold, without sun, and the air was so heavythat I did not know whether to expect snow or hail. At the toll-barmy driver made inquiries about a short cut through a lane plantedwith poplars, which would bring us out near the "fir wood. "

As the country was very monotonous, and there was nothing to attractmy attention, I sank into deep thought, and began arranging a plan formy conduct on first meeting with my cousin, a little speech to be madewhen I was presented to her, and so forth. But then it occurred to methat our best-laid schemes are generally thrown into confusion by thecircumstances of the event: how much more likely was this to be thecase in dealing with such a whimsical person as Francis? Accordingly, I gave up all such ideas as preparing myself for the occasion, resolving only to keep cool and act according to circumstances. 

In the midst of these thoughts the carriage suddenly came to astandstill, and the driver pointed out to me that the lane terminatedin a half-circle--he had taken the lane on the wrong side of thewood. Whilst speaking we heard a horse galloping behind us, and inanother moment it shot past us like lightning. 

"That's Major Frank!" said the driver. 

"Major Frank, " I repeated, in a tone of anger and surprise. "Whom doyou mean by that?"

"Why, the young lady of the Castle. They call her so in our village, when she comes to see the boy. "

Cutting short the conversation, I ordered him to find his way to theCastle as soon as possible. A few minutes later, however, he had gothis carriage on such marshy ground that he was obliged to request meto walk until he could lead his horse on to a firmer place. 

CHAPTER X. 

Once on my legs I took a view of the surrounding country. We were onthe outskirts of the wood, and separated from the ploughed cornfieldsby a half-dry ditch, luxuriantly overgrown with all kinds of marshplants. On our right was a heath; on the left potato fields. Therewas not a soul to be seen, and on consulting my watch I found it wasjust twelve o'clock. Consequently all the farm labourers had gonehome to their midday meal. 

Suddenly we heard a peal of resounding laughter quite close at hand, only the sound seemed to come somewhat from above us. I looked up inthe direction of the undulating heath; and on the top of a sand-hill, overgrown with grass, stood the person who was enjoying our perplexity. 

"Major Frank!" exclaimed the driver in his shrill tone of voice, his astonishment and annoyance causing him to show little respect. 

It was indeed Francis Mordaunt herself who was mocking us. Really, I could never have anticipated such a reception. 

As she stood there, some feet above me but still pretty near, I had agood view of her; and I cannot say that this first sight reconciledme to the person who had already caused me so many disagreeableemotions. Perhaps it was not her fault; but she was dressed in sucha strange manner that at first sight I was doubtful whether a manor a woman stood before me. She had gathered up her riding-habit ina way that reminded me of Zouave trousers, and she had, besides, puton a wide cloak made of some long-haired material--which was doubtlessvery useful this sharp, cold spring day, but which, buttoned up to herthroat, was not adapted to show off the beauty of her form if she wasreally well-shaped. Her head-gear consisted of a gray billy-cock hatwith a soft, downward-bent brim, ornamented with a bunch of cock'sfeathers negligently fastened with a green ribbon--just as if shereally wished to imitate the wild huntsman of the fairy tale. And then, because it was rather windy, she had tied a red silk handkerchief overher hat and fastened it under her chin. She wore no veil. As far as Icould judge of her appearance, she seemed to be rather delicately builtand slim, with a fine Roman nose. Still, I was not in the humour to beagreeably impressed by a face convulsed with laughter, and bandagedup as if she had the toothache. Her laugh sounded to my ears likea provocation, and rendered me little inclined to be courteous to awoman who had so evidently forgotten all feminine self-respect. 

"Listen, " I cried--"listen for a moment, you who are rejoicing somuch at your neighbour's distress. You would do better to direct uson our way. "

"There is no way. I should have thought you could see that. Any onewho enters this wood except with the purpose of driving round it, does a very stupid thing. "

"And you?"

"I?" she laughed again. "I jumped my horse over the dry ditchyonder. Imitate me if you feel inclined, though I fear with your horseand carriage it will not be quite so easy. But where are you going to?"

"To the Castle de Werve. "

"To the Werve!" she repeated, descending the hill and approachingme as nearly as she could on the opposite side of the ditch. "Whatis your business at the Castle, sir?" she inquired, in quite anothertone, no longer speaking like a "somebody" to a "nobody. "

"To pay a visit to General von Zwenken, and his granddaughter, Freule Mordaunt. "

"The General no longer receives visitors, and what you have to sayto his granddaughter you can address to me. I am Freule Mordaunt. "

"I can scarcely believe it; but, if so, may I request Freule Mordauntto appoint a more suitable place than this. What I have got to saycannot be shouted across a ditch in the presence of a third person. "

"Then you must drive back to the toll-bar. There they will directyou to the village, from which you can easily reach the Castle, if your visit is so very urgent. "

"In order to give you time to get home and deny yourself to allvisitors, my little Major, " I thought to myself. "But now's myopportunity, and I will not let it slip me. "

So, giving orders to the driver to go on to the village and waitfor me there, I took my stout walking-stick, fixed it as firmly asI could in the muddy bottom of the ditch, and reached the oppositeside I scarcely know how. 

"Bravo! well done!" cried Francis, clapping her hands with delight. 

As I approached I raised my hat, and she saluted with her riding-whip. 

"This is an amusing adventure, sir, " she said, again laughing;"if you still wish to go to Werve you must cross the heath. "

"Is it a long walk?"

"No, it is much shorter than by the high-road, but as you don't knowthe way, you run the risk of getting lost again. "

"You forget that I have a claim on your company for the rest ofthe way. "

"A claim! how do you make that out?"

"Miss Mordaunt promised me an interview; is it strange that I shouldseize the first occasion that offers?"

"I don't even know the way myself. My horse has lost a shoe, and Ihave left him at the game-keeper's, so I shall have to get home aswell as I can without assistance. Have you really business at theCastle? I can assure you the General has an aversion to visitors!"

"I wish to make his acquaintance and yours, as I am staying in theneighbourhood, and I, remember, I am related to the family Von Zwenkenby my mother's side. "

"So much the worse for you. At the Castle relationship is a badrecommendation. "

"That I have already heard; but I am not a Roselaer, I am a VanZonshoven, Freule--Leopold van Zonshoven, " I said, introducing myself. 

"I have never heard the name before. However, as you are not a Roselaeryou perhaps stand a better chance of a kind reception. But is itquite certain you do not come to trouble the General about business?"

"In that case I should have sent a lawyer, with orders not toinconvenience Miss Mordaunt. "

"Then you would have done wrong, " she rejoined, becoming serious. "TheGeneral is over seventy, and has had a life full of trouble; and I willnot try to conceal from you that he has many cares and difficultiesto contend with even now. It is for this reason I desire you totell me without reserve the object of your visit. Perhaps I can findsome means----"

"I protest to you that my greatest desire is to assist you in sparingyour grandfather all annoyance. "

"The sentiment does you honour, but it leads me to doubt yourrelationship, for it is contrary to all our family traditions. "

"There are exceptions to every rule, as you know, and I hope to provemyself an exception in your family traditions. "

"Then you shall be welcome at the Werve also by exception, for as arule we admit no new faces. "

"That's a pity; for I cannot think it is your wish to live in suchisolation. "

"Quite my wish!" she interposed, with a certain haughtiness. "Ihave had sufficient experience of mankind to make me care little fortheir society. "

"So young, and already such a misanthrope--afraid of the world!" Iobserved. 

"I am not so very young--I am turned twenty-six; and the campaignyears, as grandfather calls them, count double. You may speak to meas though I were a woman of forty. I have quite as much experienceof life. "

"Ladies talk like that when they wish to be contradicted. "

"Ladies!" she cried, with ineffable contempt. "I very earnestlyrequest you not to include me in the category of beings commonlydenominated ladies. "

"In which category must I put you? For, to tell the truth, at firstsight I did not know what to call you. "

"I believe you, " she said, with a little laugh; "for to any one whodoes not know me I must appear very odd. But, tell me, what did youtake me for at first sight--for an apparition of the wild huntsman?"

"An apparition! Certainly not; that's too ethereal. I took you fora sad reality--a gamekeeper suffering from toothache. "

She seemed piqued for a moment, her cheeks coloured, and she bither lips. 

"That's rude, " she said at last, and glanced at me with scintillatingeyes. 

"You asked for the truth, " I rejoined. 

"So I did; and you shall find I can endure the truth. Give me yourhand, cousin; I think we shall become good friends. "

"I hope so, cousin. But don't be generous by halves: let me touchyour hand, and not that rough riding-glove. "

"You are a fastidious fellow, " she said, shaking her head; "but youshall have your way. There. "

And a beautiful white hand lay in mine, which I held a minute longerthan was absolutely necessary. She did not seem to perceive it. 

"But call me Francis; I shall call you Leo. The endless repetitionof cousin is so wearisome, " she said frankly. 

"Most willingly;" and I pressed her hand again. 

"Your driver will have told you he recognized Major Frank. "

"That's but too true; and don't you, Francis, consider it a greatinsult that people dare to call you by such a name?"

"Oh, I don't mind it in the least! I know they have given me thisnickname. I am neither better nor worse for it. I know, also, that Iam pointed at as a Cossack or a cavalry officer by the people round, and am stared at because I dress to suit my own convenience, and notaccording to the latest fashions. "

"But a woman should try to please others in her way of dressing. Inmy opinion, a woman's first duty is to make herself agreeable. Canwe not show our good taste even in the simplest and plainest attire?"

She coloured a little. 

"Do you imagine, then, that I have no taste at all, because I haveput on this shaggy cloak to protect me from the east winds?" shedemanded sharply. 

"I do not judge from that single article of dress; I am referring tothe ensemble, and one gets a bad opinion of a young lady's taste whenshe wraps up her face in an unsightly red handkerchief. "

"Which gives her the appearance of a gamekeeper with the toothache, "she interposed, with a quick, bold air. "Well now, that's easilyremedied, if the wind will respect my billycock;" and hereupon sheuntied the handkerchief and unpinned her riding-habit. 

CHAPTER XI. 

As she stepped forward, the long train of her riding-habit addedto the beauty of her slender figure. Now, indeed, I could see thatshe was not ugly, though she had done her best to render herselfunattractive. It is true her features were sharp and irregular, but neither rude nor coarse. In her face there was an expression ofhaughtiness and firmness, that spoke loudly of conscientious strengthand independent character. It was clear that she had struggled andsuffered a good deal, without allowing it to rob her of her naturalcheerfulness and good spirits. Her large blue eyes expressed anopen-heartedness which inspired confidence. That they could gleamwith indignation, or glow with enthusiasm, I had already experienced. 

She walked along with considerable difficulty, for her dress causedher to trip at almost every step. I offered her my arm, but sherefused it. Suddenly she stood quite still and said--

"Forgive me, Leo, for the unmerciful way in which I laughed at you, when I saw the 'mess' your driver had brought you into. I was notlaughing at you personally; but I am always so tickled when I seethe so-called 'lords of creation' making themselves ridiculous, that I could not restrain my laughter. "

"Oh, I bear you no malice, Francis, on that account; but how is ityou are so embittered against my sex?"

"Major Frank, " she answered, "has but too often had occasion to studythe character of men. "

"That is to say, that after over-confidence in the brilliant uniformswhich have proved deceptive, Major Frank has decided to revengeherself on civilians as well as military men. "

"You are quite mistaken. Major Frank is acquainted with all theranks from corporal to general; and in civil life she has had anopportunity of studying men wearing court dress, decorations, andorders. And this is the conclusion she has come to: that disciplineis the best means of bringing out whatever good there is in a man, whilst at the same time it keeps the evil within bounds. "

"What you say is not very encouraging for your future husband, Francis. "

"My future husband!" she cried, with a bitter laugh. "Now I see youare a perfect stranger in these parts, Leopold. But you need nottrouble yourself about me; I shall never marry. "

"Who knows? Circumstances may induce----"

"Me to take a husband, " she interrupted, growing indignant. "Listen, Leo: you know nothing about me, and what you think you know will havebeen told you by slanderous tongues. Therefore I will not take offenceat what you have said; but I request you not to think so meanly of meas to believe I would sacrifice my name and my person on the altarof Mammon, and make a mariage de raison--the most unreasonable andimmoral union that can exist. "

"Many a proud lady who once thought as you do, Francis, " I answered, "has been induced by the counsel of her friends to change her state of'single blessedness, ' which is such a mark for calumny and lies----"

"And you would have me take a husband to serve as a shield againstthese?" she cried, vehemently. "No, Leopold van Zonshoven, whenyou once know Francis Mordaunt, you will find she does not fearcalumniators, and that she disdains to seek protection from them inthe way you recommend!"

"Forewarned is forearmed, " and I now understood that it behoved me toproceed cautiously. Still I determined to try a ruse of war. Lookingher steadfastly in the face, I said--

"And suppose my visit to the Werve were expressly for the purpose ofseeking your hand in marriage?"

"My hand! It is not true you come with such a purpose!" she exclaimedin a bitter tone. 

"But let us suppose it to be true; what would your answer be?"

"If I thought you came with any such intentions, I should simplyleave you where you are, in the middle of the heath, to find yourway to the Werve as best you could. There's my answer. "

And she started off as fast as she could go. 

"Listen, Francis, " I said, rejoining her. "If such had been my objectin visiting the Castle, your answer would not stop me. I am obstinateenough myself; but, as I would not willingly wound the feelings ofany lady (pardon me the use of this word), I should take good carenot to make her an offer in such a brusque manner, and, above all, not until I had some hopes of receiving a favourable answer. "

"Be it so; but I must tell you I see neither wit nor humour in yourkind of pleasantry. "

In another instant a gust of wind carried away her felt hat, and thenher net, causing her golden hair to fall over her shoulders in richprofusion. At this moment I thought her worthy to sit for a Madonna. Icould not believe my eyes, or rather I could not remove my eyes fromher, so much was I struck with wonder and admiration. She doubtlessread her triumph in my looks, and seemed for an instant to enjoyit. Decidedly, then, she had not lost all the feminine instincts, though the time of their duration was short on any single occasion. 

"Well, " she said, "you are very polite. You stand as if you werenailed to the ground, instead of running after my hat. "

I did not suffer her to say this twice, but, running after theugly old hat, caught it just before it could disappear in one ofthe sand pits. She followed me, but unfortunately caught the trainof her riding-habit in a bush, which tripped her, and caused her tofall with her beautiful locks of hair amongst the briers. At firstshe refused all assistance, but in the end she was obliged to let medisentangle her hair--a circumstance which annoyed her much more thanthe accident itself. I knelt beside her, and heaven knows with whatcare I loosened one lock after the other. This, however, was a workof time, as she was very impatient, and her struggles were every nowand then undoing the little I had accomplished. 

"Now you see into what a predicament your precious advice has broughtme; how much more practical my own arrangement was! The handkerchieflooked inelegant, if you like, but it would have prevented me thistrouble. Why did I swerve from my principles? Why was I led astrayby other people's ideas?"

At last I could say, "You are free!" at the same time holding outmy hand to assist her in rising. But no, she would have no furtheraid from me; and bounding up like a hart, requested me to walk onin front whilst she arranged her dress. She was not long about it, and when she overtook me the hateful handkerchief was tied round herhat again, and I had lost my right to protest against it. 

She now took my arm of her own accord, and said gaily, "This I do, Leo, to recompense you for being so generous as not to revenge yourselfby laughing at me in my distress. "

"Laugh at you, Francis! I was frightened. "

"There was not much to be frightened about; but I was really afraidyou would mock me and pay me back in my own coin. "

As we walked on we continued to discuss the subject of femalepropriety, she claiming the right to live according to her own ideas, without any regard for public opinion; I maintaining that reserveand gentleness are more becoming in a woman, from every point ofview, than trying to set public opinion at defiance. She, however, interrupted the conversation by pointing out the Werve to me as soonas we came in sight of it. 

"Now, " she said, "I request you to tell me plainly the object of yourvisit to the General, before I introduce you to the house. "

"I have already told you: I wish to make the acquaintance of mymother's relations. "

"I shall feel better satisfied, " she rejoined, "if you will promiseme not to trouble the poor old gentleman about business matters. "

I had no difficulty in conscientiously giving such a promise. ThenFrancis continued--

"I must also warn you the General is not alone. We have a certainCaptain Rolf, an old pensioned officer, quartered at the Werve; heis of rude manners and ill-educated, for he has risen from the ranks;but he has a good heart, and my grandfather could not do without hiscompany. Our way of treating each other may surprise you, perhapsannoy you. Even when I was a child he called me his colonel, and flewanywhere at a wink from me; and he does so still, though his movementshave been rendered more tardy by his stiff legs and rheumatism. Fishingis his favourite amusement since he has been obliged to give upshooting. I employ him as my gamekeeper; and when the cook is ill, he prefers frying a beefsteak and making the soup himself, to goingon short commons. In fact, he is a gastronome, and since he obtainedhis pension his whole time seems to be occupied with the grandquestion: 'What shall we eat to day?' And, alas! grandfather is noless interested in the same subject, so that most of their morningconversation is about the dishes to be prepared for the dinner. "

As we drew near the manor-house Francis gently withdrew her arm frommine, and stepped on sharply as we heard the clock in the villagechurch-steeple strike one, saying--

"I know I am being waited for impatiently, and half the garrison willhave turned out in search of me. "

CHAPTER XII. 

The Castle de Werve presented all the appearances of ancient opulence;but also of dilapidation dating from a long time back. There was thefeudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straightto the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times asa defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike. But the wooditself was rotting, and the rusty hinges could scarcely sustain theiraccustomed weight. In the tumbledown walls I could see loopholeslarge enough for a giant to creep through. 

The house had been rebuilt in the time of the Stadtholder William III. --King William III. Of England--and the rich, solemn style thenin vogue had been adopted. There was a sort of rotunda in the centre, kept, relatively speaking, in better repair than the rest of thebuilding, flanked by two wings, which seemed uninhabited, and in factso neglected as to be uninhabitable. Most of the panes were crackedor broken, and only in some cases had the broken glass been replacedby gray paper. The aloe-trees, set out to ornament the front of thehouse, were planted for the greater part in cracked or broken vases. 

As Francis had remarked, before I could follow her into the house"half the garrison turned out" to salute us in the person of theCaptain, whom I immediately recognized from the description I hadhad of him. He wore a blue jacket and trousers, a waistcoat buttonedclose up to his chin, and the military black-leather collar, whichhe had not yet been able to dispense with. The William's Order [3]adorned his breast; and he stood erect in spite of his stiff leg, which obliged him to support himself with a stick. He had placedhis cap jauntily and soldier-like on one side of his head, and hisentire bearing called up the idea of a military man only half athis ease in civilian dress. Though deep in the fifties, his hair isstill jet black, and the length and stiffness of his mustachios, àla Napoléon, indicate a constant use of cosmetics. His face is veryred, his eyes brown and bold, his features rude, and his thick redlips and short round chin give him a sensual appearance. He had inhis mouth a long German pipe, from which he puffed clouds of smoke, and after a military salute he accosted us in these words--

"Well, Major, what's this? Have you made a prisoner? or is this someone to be quartered on us?"

"A visitor for the General, Captain, " replied Francis, stepping pasthim, and giving me a hint to follow her. 

"Had a deuced bad luncheon! Waited half an hour for the Freule;the eggs too hard, the beefsteak like leather, his Excellency out ofhumour--and all this because the Freule takes it into her head to rideout at inconvenient hours, and return on foot to the fortress leadingthe hero of this pretty adventure in triumph behind her, " growledthe Captain, in a half-angry, half-jesting tone, as he followed us. 

Francis turning round said--

"All this, Captain, is because your Major--you understand me, your Major--has had the pleasure of meeting with her cousin, JonkerLeopold van Zonshoven; let that suffice you, and if you have any morecomplaints, put them in your report-book. "

After this I followed Francis through the vestibule, where a servantreceived us with a military salute, and showed us into an immensedrawing-room hung with embossed gilt leather. Here the General wastaking a nap in a high-backed easy-chair. Francis entered the roomsoftly enough, but the loud heavy step of the Captain, who thoughtfit to follow us, awoke the sleeper with a start. 

Instead of the pourfendeur I had conjured up in my fancy from oldAunt Roselaer's accounts, I perceived a little, thin, grey-headed oldman, the traits of whose face showed him to be a person of superiorbreeding, wrapped in a very threadbare damask dressing-gown. Hisnose was long and straight, his lips thin and pale, his eyes of asoft blue, with an expression of lethargy or fatigue. His white, dry hands had very prominent veins; and he wore a large signet-ring, with which he kept playing in a nervous, agitated manner all the timehe was speaking. 

Francis introduced me in her own peculiar way--

"Grandfather, I bring you Jonker Leopold van Zonshoven, to whom youmust give a hearty welcome, for he is a curiosity in our family. "

"In our family! Jonker van Zonshoven--ah! yes, I remember, Iunderstand, " he said, in a surprised and embarrassed tone, whichproved his recollection to be of the vaguest; but he bowed politely, and offered me his hand, which I shook cordially. 

"Sit down, Jonker, " he said, pointing to a chair behind which theCaptain stood as if he intended to dispute the place with me. 

Francis rang the bell, and asked Fritz if the luncheon were still onthe table. 

The servant, with a surprised look, answered--

"It is half-past one. "

"Right, Fritz. It is the rule of the house: he who is not here atroll-call is not expected. Bring a plate of cold meat and bread intothis room. "

"And a glass of port-wine for the gentleman, " put in the Captain. 

When Fritz had left the room, the Captain came and stood straightbefore me, saying--

"Pardon me, Jonker, I must have a good look at you. There must besomething peculiar in a young man who has so quickly found favour inthe eyes of our Major. "

I hesitated about giving him the answer he deserved in the presenceof the General; and, besides, Francis had warned me he was a man ofno education. 

However, the General, speaking in a soft yet authoritative voice, said--

"Rolf, there are jests which may pass amongst ourselves, but youseem to forget we are not now alone, and you are wanting in respectto Miss Mordaunt. "

"Because I call her Major in the presence of a relation of thefamily! Excuse me, your Excellency, but you ought to have given methe watchword beforehand. I shall not forget again. "

"It is no good, grandfather, " said Francis; "at his age we cannot breakhim of his bad habits, though we might expect him to be respectfulto the granddaughter of General von Zwenken, in spite of his havingtaught her her drill when a child. And now, as you have asked forthe watchword of the day, Captain, attend: it is this, 'Politenessto my visitor. '"

It became clear to me that the Captain had long been indulged inhis vulgar familiarities, and that I ought not to attach too muchimportance to them. As soon as Fritz brought in the port-wine he filledthree glasses brimful; presented the first glass to me, then one to theGeneral, and taking up his own, said in his rough, good-natured way--

"The health of our commandant, and a welcome to you, Jonker!" apparently thinking this the best amends he could make. 

As soon as Francis had taken a slight repast she left the room, and, at a hint from the General, Rolf did the same. 

Now that we were left to our two selves, the General, drawing himselfup with dignity in his chair, said--

"A word with you, Jonker, if you please. "

I bowed assent. 

"But be so good as to move your chair nearer to me; I am a littledeaf. "

I complied with his request. 

"Pardon me for asking you a question which may seem somewhat out ofplace. Is this the first time you have met my granddaughter?"

"The first time, General;" and I rapidly sketched an account of ourmeeting and walk to the Castle. 

"Well, I am glad of it, " said the old man with a sigh of relief. "Mygranddaughter is possessed of many excellent qualities, that I cantruly say; but she has her peculiarities. At times she can be verybrusque, and she has a foible for braving the laws of good society, and setting all the world at defiance, which has made her manyenemies. It occurred to me she was now trying to make amends for somemisunderstanding which had arisen between herself and you. "

I assured him this was not the case, and that I felt my kindlyreception to be the more flattering since Miss Mordaunt was notaccustomed to flatter. 

"Then explain to me, " he continued, "your relationship to the family, for, though I remember having heard of a Van Zonshoven who was relatedto my deceased wife, it is so long ago----"

"My grandmother, General, was a Freule van Roselaer. "

"She married a French nobleman, if I recollect aright?"

"A Belgian, General: Baron d'Hermaele. "

"Well, yes, it was during the French occupation of the country underNapoleon I. ; and in those days one did not pay so much attention tonationality. Our disagreement with Freule Sophia prevented our makinghis acquaintance. He settled in Belgium, and I heard afterwards thatBaron d'Hermaele stood in high favour at court in the reign of KingWilliam I. "

"This court favour cost him his life, " I added, "for he remainedfaithful to his king during the Belgian Revolution; his castle nearLarken was pillaged and burnt by the populace, and he himself cruellymurdered whilst defending his wife and children. "

"Another fact out of those sad and confused times which I so wellremember. My men were burning with rage to punish such rebels andbrigands, but, alas! they were kept inactive. What became of thewidow and children?"

"She returned to Holland with one son and seven daughters, of whom theeldest married my father, Jonker van Zonshoven. I am their only son. "

"Then I am your great-uncle, Jonker. "

"I have made the same calculation, General, and it is for thisreason----"

"You don't come to talk to me about family affairs, I hope?" heinterrupted, growing uncomfortable. 

"But, my dear uncle, we can speak of family affairs without theirnecessarily causing unpleasantness. "

"Hum! Well, you are a Van Zonshoven, a stranger to all the pitifulfeuds which have separated me from the Roselaers. Whole treasureshave been thrown away on the lawsuits they have brought againstme. Francis and I are both still suffering from such losses. Lookhere, if you bring any painful news for Francis, or any humiliatingtidings for me--I know that even the validity of my Swiss marriage iscontested--I beseech you, be generous, spare her as long as possible, for she is ignorant of this fact. Perhaps, old and broken though Ibe by trials, I can ward off the evil day a little longer; but besincere and tell me plainly----"

"I assure you, General, my chief desire--as I have already told MissMordaunt--is to save you every kind of trouble I can. I wish simplyto draw family ties closer, and my most ardent desire is that a VanZonshoven may have the good fortune to heal the wounds caused bythe Roselaers. "

"Many things are necessary! Much money! As we soldiers say, goldis the sinews of war--and, pardon me if I make a mistake, the VanZonshovens are not rich. "

"You are not mistaken, General. My grandmother and her childrenhad to live on the pension allowed the widow of Baron d'Hermaele, and this pension ceased with her life. "

"And did the king do nothing for the daughters?"

"What would you expect from him, uncle? The only son was promoted andrewarded, but he died in the flower of his age. It was impossiblefor the young ladies to keep William II. In constant recollectionof their father's loyalty. Besides, we decided not to petition orsupplicate for favours, preferring to rely on our own energies andself-help. This principle was instilled into me whilst I was young. "

"You surprise me. But is there not a Van Zonshoven Minister forForeign Affairs in the present Government?" asked the General. "Hemust be a rich man, I fancy. What is your relationship to him?"

"He is my uncle; but I esteem him little. He is married to thecoffee-coloured daughter of a rich Java merchant--for her money, of course. She is neither intelligent, amiable, nor educated; andindeed, has got little from him in return for her money except theright to bear his name and title. "

"A pitiful mésalliance, certainly! But for you the consequences area rich and childless uncle?" he observed by way of a query. 

"Yes, and he is already old. But, unfortunately, I am estranged fromhim, for I consider it beneath my dignity to beg favours from him. "

The General shook his head. "There spoke the blood of the Roselaers. "

"No, General, the Van Zonshovens are not vindictive, but proud. Thoughpoor, I have always prized my independence above all things. Ihave lived soberly, and never indulged in pleasures above my means;consequently I have not been forced to sacrifice my liberty, which, to tell you the truth, is dearer to me than my patent of nobility. "

"Bravo! bravissimo!" resounded in my ears from the bottom of theroom; and it came from the deep, clear voice of Francis, who had beenentering the room as I spoke these words. 

"You see, Jonker, " said the General, somewhat fretfully, and knittinghis brows, "your style of speaking has touched my granddaughter'sweak side. Her dreams are of independence, and her illusion is to beindebted to nobody. "

"Not my illusion, grandfather. My principle is rather to be poor andindependent, and appear so; and rather to suffer privations and makesacrifices, than be guilty of meanness for the sake of supplyingimaginary wants and desires which we ought manfully to resist. "

The General bit his lips, shut his eyes, and sank back in his chair, asif he had received a blow from a club; but unwilling to acknowledge adefeat, after a few seconds he raised himself up and said to Francis--

"I allow that you far surpass me in bearing privations; but it wouldbe well for you to learn a little self-restraint. At my time of lifeit is hard to bear reproaches. I cannot change my way of living, though I confess you deny yourself much for my sake. "

"Come, come, grandfather, you know my words sound harsher than Imean them; but you cannot expect me to approve what angers me--suchself-restraint I shall never learn. "

"That's unfortunate, " replied the General in a bitter tone; "forwhat will Leopold think of us if he must listen to such reproachesat every turn. "

"He will think, uncle, that he is on a visit to a family which isabove dissembling to deceive him, and he will esteem such franknessas an honour and a privilege----"

"Well! that's an advantage you'll enjoy to your heart's content, Jonker, if you stay here long, " interrupted the Captain, who had againentered the room. "Our Major has the praiseworthy custom of speakingher mind without respect of persons; and when she's displeased, it is'parade and proceed to execution, ' as we say in the courts-martial. "

"Had pardons not been heard of, Captain, " retorted Francis, half injest, half in earnest, "you would have been dismissed the servicelong ere this. "

"That only proves my long-suffering and patience, Miss Major; you knowI permit you to treat me like a corporal would a raw recruit. I wouldnot bear from the Prince Field-Marshal what I have borne from you. "

"Captain, " said the General, who had been listening nervously, "Captain, I thought I had given you to understand that I desired tobe en famille. "

"And I, General, not guessing the conversation could be so entertainingfor you, came to propose our usual remedy against low spirits: a gameat piquet. "

"Thank you, Captain, no cards this afternoon; I am anxious to talkto my nephew. "

CHAPTER XIII. 

Francis ordered Rolf off in search of her riding-whip which she hadlost on the heath in the morning, making sure this would keep himout of the way for a time. 

"It's no easy matter to find such a thing in the sand, " he growled, as he limped off. 

"But, you know, I want it very much, and if you can find it you willdo me a great pleasure, " Francis called after him. 

"Well, since I need not be on duty with the General, I will do mybest, " he answered. 

"You are a cruel despot, " I could not help saying to Francis. Shesmiled and coloured slightly. 

"Oh, Jonker, this is nothing!" sighed the submissive vassal; "when MissMajor was a child, you should have seen what I had to do and suffer. "

"Just so, " replied Francis; "then you spoilt me, and hence yourpenance is so hard. Give me your hand, my good Rolf; I won't promiseyou absolution, but a truce for to-day. "

The old soldier took the hand held out to him, and I saw a tearsparkle in his eye, which reconciled me to him in spite of his vulgarfamiliarities. He, ashamed of his weakness, tried to hide it from usby a prompt retreat. 

Almost immediately afterwards he entered the room again, andapproaching Francis he said--

"I know I disturb you, Freule, but it is better that I come insteadof Fritz. I met the driver who brought the Jonker, at the gate, and he wishes to know at what hour our visitor intends leaving. "

Whilst hesitating about my answer, I overheard him whisper to Francis--

"I have passed the turkeys in review, and there is one just readyfor the cook, but not to-day: I am sorry for le cher cousin. "

I hastened to say--

"There is nothing I should like better than to spend the day here;and as for the dinner, I prefer to take pot-luck with my friends. "

"Well, of course you will stay to dinner, Leopold, " said the General, eyeing Francis, who had not yet given her consent. 

After some hesitation she said, in a decisive tone--

"We will dine early to-day; order the carriage for seven o'clock. "

"You shame me with such meagre hospitality, " interposed theGeneral. "Why not invite your cousin Van Zonshoven to stay the night;he can leave early to-morrow morning?"

"Sleep here, grandfather! But you don't understand; really we areunprepared to lodge visitors. "

"What!" exclaimed Rolf, with a loud laugh, "we could lodge halfa company. "

"Half your company!" Francis cried bitterly; "but you forget thatJonker van Zonshoven is accustomed to the luxuries of the Hague. "

"To a modest chamber on the second floor, Francis; and he can sleepcomfortably on a mattress of straw, if well wrapped up. "

The old man was again visibly affected, and murmured gently--

"This is another caprice of yours, Francis. "

"If you are determined to stay, " responded Francis, with a cold andsorrowful look at me, "I will try to find you a room where there areno broken panes. Come, Captain, never mind about the whip to-day;you must now act as my quartermaster. Forward, march;" and takinghim by the arm, she led off her willing slave. 

When we were once more alone, the General began--

"Believe me, she means well and kindly towards you; but as wedon't reckon on visitors, you have taken us by surprise, and that'swhat vexes Francis. It is so difficult to procure anything in thisout-of-the-way place. "

"Every lady has her faults and her little caprices, " I interposed. 

"Yes, but others can hide them better under a little polish. Franciscannot understand our social laws; unfortunately she has not had aneducation suitable to her rank and station. Her own mother she neverknew; and my son-in-law, Sir John Mordaunt, did not understand thekind of training necessary for a Dutch lady of position. "

"Don't despair, General; who knows what effect a good husband willhave on her!"

"That's just my difficulty, Jonker; Francis would refuse to marryany man she suspected of such intentions. "

"You are right, grandfather, " exclaimed Francis, who had againentered the room. "Major Frank will never give up her command toan inferior; she can only endure slaves and vassals around her, and the sooner Jonker Leopold understands this, the better for him, if he has intentions of conspiring against her freedom. "

This was said half jestingly; but I replied, quite seriously, thatI thought Major Frank would do wrong to refuse a good husband. 

Francis reddened to the roots of her hair, and then grew pale, asshe answered with a forced smile--

"Well, you are not a dangerous suitor. As the General will have toldyou, Miss Mordaunt can only accept a very rich husband; and I thinkyou have already acknowledged that the Van Zonshovens are not amongthe people who pay the highest amount of income-tax. "

"But Francis!" exclaimed the General, deprecatingly. 

"Well now, dear papa, that's the standard by which people are judgednowadays, and you would wish Major Frank to be sold to the highestbidder, if sold she must be. But come, Leopold, let me show you thegrounds before dinner. Grandfather can go with us, for the wind hasgone down and the sun come out, so that it is quite a mild springafternoon. "

CHAPTER XIV. 

We directed our steps towards the back of the Castle, passing by theaviary, which had fallen into decay like its surroundings. The Captainhad, however, turned it into a poultry-walk, and held undisputedsway over the turkeys with which he had stocked it. The General, who had come out against his will, leaned on the arm of Francis, and I walked by her side. Ascending a small rise in the grounds wecame to a summer-house, whence we could obtain a splendid view ofthe surrounding country--a sweep of undulating heath as far as theeye could reach. Francis said this was her favourite place in thegrounds, and that she never grew tired of the charming prospect;but I could see that her grandfather's thoughts were occupied aboutsomething quite different from the picturesque view. All the farms inthe neighbourhood, and all the woods around, formerly appertained tothe lordship of the Werve; and all these ought to have descended intactto his granddaughter, to whom he would not leave a foot of earth. 

"By the way, nephew, what has become of the six other Miss d'Hermaeles, your mother's sisters?" asked the General, breaking the silencebriskly. 

Francis burst out laughing. 

"Grandfather beginning to take an interest in the fate of six youngladies all at once! That's too much! But he wishes to know, Leo, whether you have a chance of inheriting anything from a rich aunt, "she said, displaying a quickness of perception peculiar to her. "Isn'tit so, grandfather?"

I hastened to answer--

"Three of them died long ago; two others made good marriages, butthey have children of their own; and one, Aunt Sophia, is maintainedby the rest of the family, I contributing in proportion to my means. "

"Aunt Sophia, " repeated the General; "had the d'Hermaeles the foresightto make Sophia Roselaer godmother to one of their children?"

"It is possible, " I answered, "but I don't know for certain; my motherseldom talked to me about her relations. "

"At any rate it appears to me she has been made heir to the propertyof that mischief-loving woman, Miss Roselaer, " continued the General;"and probably you, Leopold, were not informed of the death, nor invitedto the funeral any more than ourselves? As far as I am concerned Iexpected such treatment; yet I cannot understand that she should allowher hatred to deprive the only granddaughter of her eldest sister ofthe property. "

I now felt myself on dangerous ground; but Francis came to my rescueby saying, in a tone of pleasantry--

"Neither did I ever expect anything from her; and yet, who knows, if I had liked--I have only seen her once in my life; and though as arule people are not prepossessed in my favour at a first interview"(hereupon she gave me a malicious look), "she seems to have had noreason to complain of me;--in fact, if I had only cultivated theacquaintance, probably at this moment my name would be in her willfor a good round sum. "

"What! you have seen the old gossip?" interrupted General von Zwenken, "and you have never told me of it. When and where have you met her?"

"At the beginning of this year, when I went to Utrecht on certainbusiness about which it is not necessary to trouble cousin Leopold. "

"She never likes to hear her good deeds spoken of, " the Generalmurmured to me. 

"Oh, it was only a simple duty I had to fulfil; I had to consultthe celebrated Dr. D. About an unfortunate woman who had lost herreason. At his door I had an altercation with his man-servant, whowished to put me off till next day under the pretext that the hour forconsultation was passed, and that his master was taking his luncheonwith visitors. However, I insisted upon his taking in my card, andfinally I obtained admission to the dining-room. Dr. D. Politelyinvited me to take luncheon with them, and introduced me to twoelderly ladies, one his sister, and the other his sister's friend. AsI was very hungry, I accepted without ceremony. I was soon sensiblethat his sister's friend was observing my every motion with sharp, penetrating eyes. Her conversation was amusing. She was lively, and criticised persons and events cleverly, though with unsparingseverity. This was just to my taste, and excited me to the contest, till, from repartee to repartee, we got almost to a dispute. It wasmy great-aunt Sophia in person, as I afterwards learnt; and just fancyher mixing up her own name in a malicious manner in the conversation, and then asking me if I knew her, and what my opinion of her was! Isimply answered: 'I had heard her spoken of; that there had beenquarrels between her and my relations, but that I did not think itfair, on my part, to attack her behind her back in the presence ofstrangers. ' She answered that she approved of my conduct. The doctor, who had for some time been appearing ill at ease, now invited me togo to his surgery. After the consultation I met the old lady in thepassage; she invited me to accompany her as far as the house of afriend, where her carriage would await her. I consented, but now Iwas on my guard, as I knew who she was; and when she invited me tospend a day with her I declined----"

"It was imprudent and impolite, " interrupted the General. 

"It was acting in conformity with the spirit of all your dealingswith her, grandfather. I said I could not spend a single hour longerin Utrecht than business demanded. Before she could say more, a bandof students, of that class better known outside the lecture-room thaninside, began to form a circle round us, and treat us to a piece ofby no means flattering criticism as to the style of our dress. It istrue I was negligently dressed, far behind the fashions; and aunt'sbonnet and shawl gave her much of the appearance of a caricature. Ifelt my blood boil, and yet I retained sufficient calmness to tellthese seedling lawyers, authors, and clergymen they ought to beashamed of themselves, as their conduct was worse even than that ofstreet Arabs. My words took effect; one or two dropped off in silence, others stepped aside, and one of them even attempted to stammer out anapology. We were near the house of lawyer Van Beek, where Miss Roselaerwas going; and as we took leave of each other she warmly pressed myhand, thanking me for my protection and presence of mind, but addedthat 'such conduct was scarcely ladylike in the public streets. '

"It might have been more becoming to swoon, but such farces are notin keeping with the character of Major Frank. 

"If I had known the story would amuse you so much, grandfather, Iwould have told it you three months ago; but I was afraid it wouldbe disagreeable to you to hear I had seen Aunt Sophia. "

"And you have never since heard a word of Miss Roselaer?" demandedVon Zwenken, fretfully. 

"No; but I have reason to suppose she wished to oblige me. I hadto make arrangements at Utrecht for the proper nursing of my poorpatient. The most important point was the money, and at the timeI had very little; but the same evening I received a letter fromDr. D. , informing me a rich friend, who desired to remain unknown, had promised to pay all the expenses. So here you have my reasons forsurprise that Aunt Sophia should have included me in hatred of thefamily; for the rich unknown friend could be no other than herself. "

The General muttered between his teeth--

"Oh, from that woman you might expect anything!"

To me this account was as a ray of light. Aunt had changed her will, after this incident, in favour of Francis, and not, it was clear, for purposes of revenge. Now I felt more bound than ever to win thelove of Francis, and to marry her; and I confess my inclinations weretending in that direction. Her straightforward, upright character, her original and piquant style of beauty, were already beginning toact like a charm upon me; still it would be well not to precipitatematters, and I controlled a desire which came over me to demand herhand on the spot. There were also mysterious events in her past lifewhich required clearing up. Besides, I had to consider how it wouldbe possible to change her aversion from marriage, the male sex, andsocial life in general. And I was convinced if she once pronouncedthe fatal word "No, " my suit was hopeless. 

CHAPTER XV. 

Fritz, who came up at a trot, after the usual military salute toFrancis, interrupted our further conversation. He addressed her inthe following words--

"Freule, the Captain sends to inquire if you have thought of the saucefor the pudding, and if you will let him have the key to the pantry?"

Turning to me she said--

"Excuse me, Leo--duty first and pleasure afterwards; my worthy adjutantreminds me I have duties in the kitchen. "

In a moment she had tripped away out of sight, and the General, rising, said--

"I must also go and dress, for I never dine in my dressing-gown. " Thencalling to Fritz, he said, "Show the Jonker to his room, if itis ready. "

"Certainly, General; I have taken up his bag. "

"So you have brought a travelling-bag?" asked the General, with asmile, and giving me an inquiring look. 

"What shall I say, uncle; did I take too great a liberty in reckoningon an invitation for a few days?"

"Certainly not, my boy!" he replied frankly; "a change is very welcometo me--only try to make it all right with Francis. "

Fritz led the way up a broad oaken staircase to the first floor of theleft wing, the very one which had struck me as the least habitable. Iwas shown into a large room that had once been well furnished, butwhich now appeared rather sombre, as all the shutters were closedexcept one, and this was only left ajar. I asked Fritz to open them, telling him I was fond of plenty of light. 

"Sir, Freule gave me orders to keep the shutters closed, otherwisethere would be too much light, for there are no blinds. "

"Never mind, man; open them for me. "

"Yes, but there will be a draught; we never have guests, and thereforethe broken window-panes have been neglected, and there is no glazierin the village. "

I dismissed the good fellow, whose fidelity to his mistress wasevinced by his reticence. 

When I had opened one shutter entirely so as to obtain sufficientlight, I found the room contained a large old-fashioned bedstead, with red silk hangings; a splendid couch, the covering of which wastorn in several places and the horse-hair peeping out--then, evenworse, I found it had lost a leg; moreover, there was not a chair inthe room I dared seat myself on without the fear of coming to grief. 

In the middle of the room was a marble-topped table, standing onits three gilt bear-paws; but it was cracked in several places, and the mosaic star in the centre had almost disappeared piece bypiece. A simple modern washstand, of grey painted wood with lightgreen borders, had been placed just under an oval rococo mirror, and formed a striking contrast to these neglected antiquities. 

From my window I was enjoying a view of the beautiful country ofGuelderland, and forming plans for the renovation and embellishment ofthe fallen greatness around--always provided Francis consented--whenI heard the second dinner-bell, and hastened downstairs, havingbeen warned that the General still kept up his military habits ofpunctuality. 

I was very curious to see whether Francis had dressed for dinner, howshe looked, &c. But, alas! my hopes were disappointed. Her beautifulhair was loosely confined in a silk net, which seemed scarcely capableof sustaining its weight. She had not changed her dress, and had onlythrown over her shoulders a small faded shawl, which served to hide thewhite and slender form of her neck. She perceived my disappointment; infact, her beautiful eyes regarded me with an air that seemed to say--

"Make up your mind that I am totally indifferent as to the impressionI may produce on you. "

Otherwise she performed her part as hostess with exemplary zeal andgreat ability. She served the soup, carved the meat, and even changedthe plates herself--as Fritz seemed to consider his duty done whenhe had placed the things on the sideboard. To my great surprise, the dinner was abundant and even recherché. 

After the soup, which was excellent, roast beef with choice preservedvegetables was served up--"surrogate of the primeurs, " as the Generalexpressed himself; then partridges in aspic and a poulet au riz, followed by young cabbages with baked eels, which, the Captain saidplayfully, had only gone into his net for my sake. As plat doux, we had a pudding with the wonderful sauce Francis had been calledinto the kitchen to make; and to wind up, a complete dessert. It wasdifficult for me to reconcile all this with the idea of people livingin straitened circumstances. 

The different kinds of wine, furnished in over-great abundance andvariety by the Captain, who acted as butler, completed the luxuriesof the table. The wines were of the best brands, and my host andhis aide-de-camp took care to call my attention to them. My habitsof abstinence obliged me to exercise great moderation, and I couldplainly see that they were disappointed at my want of enthusiasm. 

Neither the crockery nor the table-linen was in keeping with theluxury of the courses. The former was French china, dating from thesame period as the furniture and the golden leather tapestries, andhad evidently suffered a good deal from rough usage and servants. Itwas cracked, riveted, incomplete; and modern blue ware had beenpurchased to supply deficiencies, thus enhancing its splendour andemphasizing the contrast. The large damask tablecloth, that representedthe marriage of a Spanish Infanta, had certainly done duty when AuntSophia ruled as mistress of the establishment. It was exceedinglyfine but worn, and the rents had not always been neatly darned. As forthe silver, the speed with which Francis sent the forks and spoons tothe kitchen and ordered them back, proved to me that the dozens werenot complete. On the other hand, there was an abundance of cut glass, to which the Captain directed my attention lest I should overlook it, adding, however--

"I do not attach much value to such things. Many a time during thecampaign I have drunk beer out of a milk-pail, and champagne out ofteacups; and I did not enjoy it the less for that. "

"Provided the cups were not too small, " interrupted Francis. 

"But the General, " continued Rolf, without noticing the remark, "the General would rather go without Yquem than drink it out of acommon glass; and as our Major (I mean Freule, the commander-in-chief)always manifests the greatest indifference in this respect, I havecharged myself with the care of the General's wine-cellar. "

I neither liked nor approved the tone of the Captain's observations;but Von Zwenken said nothing. Francis did not, however, fail toretaliate in her vehement way. 

"Fie, Captain!" she interrupted. "Are you afraid Jonker van Zonshovenwill not observe how great your merits as quartermaster are? If everyone in this house would follow my régime, and drink clear spring-water, your zeal and care for the wine-cellar would be superfluous. "

I had already noticed that she drank nothing but water. The Generalnow came to the Captain's aid with a French expression: "Le luxe, c'est le nécessaire. "

He had drunk a good deal, and his pale cheeks were growingrosy. Francis rang for Fritz to hand round cigars to the gentlemen, andthen retired to the drawing-room in spite of the furious looks of hergrandfather. As the door was open, I could follow her movements in thelarge mirror which faced me. I saw her throw herself on the sofa, wringher hands, and bite her lips as if to suppress her sobs. The Generalsoon dozed off, and the Captain applied himself to the cognac bottle, as he said it was necessary to warm up his stomach after eating coldfruit; so I walked over towards the drawing-room, trying to hide mycigar. Francis was disconcerted at being surprised in her disconsolatemood; but she composed herself, and said, with an attempt at a smile--

"You may smoke here, cousin, if you wish to have a talk with me. "

CHAPTER XVI. 

"I am not in the habit of smoking in the presence of----" (I hadalmost said ladies). 

"Nonsense! I am not so fastidious; and you know that quite well. ShallI make you some coffee? The gentlemen yonder do not take any; theysmoke and drink till----"

I interrupted her with--

"I want nothing but to talk confidentially with you for a quarter ofan hour. Will you grant me that favour?"

"Certainly; take the easy-chair and sit down opposite; that is thebest position for a talk. "

I obeyed, and she began--

"Tell me, first of all, do you now understand why I do not likereceiving company?"

"Perhaps. I venture to suppose that you wish to simplify the way ofliving, and that the gentlemen do not approve of it. And visitorscause expense. "

"Now, indeed, it is clever of you to guess after what you havejust seen!" and she laughed a merry laugh. "I see I must explainmatters. But let us talk about yourself, Leopold; that will change thecurrent of my thoughts--and they want changing in my present state ofmind. You see there my constant and daily society, " she continued, looking towards the dining-room. "They have now reached the topmostpoint of their enjoyment--the General asleep with a cigar in his mouth, and the Captain absorbing his quantum of cognac. Afterwards he willfill his German pipe, totter off to the billiard-room, and smoke andsleep till tea-time. Come, now, as we have a full hour before us, confess yourself. Why have you not studied for a barrister?" Andshe fixed her large eyes on me as if she suspected that I had beenrusticated. 

"Simply because my good father died too soon. "

"A good father always dies too soon. Even a bad one who neglects hischild is a great loss. Yours left nothing?"

"Except a widow with a very small pension--too small to maintainme at Leyden, and therefore I left after one year's residence, asI wished to earn my own living and obtain comforts for my mother, who was in very weak health. "

"I admire you for that, Leo; a man who is not selfish, and can makesacrifices for his mother or his wife's sake, is a rarity. It doesme good to hear such men still exist. "

"Now, Francis, give me your confidence. Perhaps I can assist you inyour troubles. "

"Don't attempt the impossible, Leopold, " she replied in a tone ofprofound sadness. "However, as I believe you to be loyal and generous, I will be explicit with you; and if I am deceived in you, as I haveoften been in others, one deception more or less cannot make muchdifference in the grand total. When my grandfather had obtained hispension we came to the Werve, as it was urgently necessary for usto economize. His rank as commandant in a small fortified town hadnecessitated our living in grand style. He had to invite the mayor andother dignitaries to his table, as well as his own lieutenants; and letme acknowledge we had both got into the habit of living in abundanceand of being very hospitable; consequently we had nearly always anopen table. Owing to many events and painful family circumstances, our fortune with the last few years has shrunk so visibly that it wasimpossible to continue our old style of living. And grandpapa at lastsaw things as I did. We retired to the Werve; we did not want company, and we severed ourselves from all parasites at one stroke. 

"I counted on the kitchen garden, the orchard, and the home farm(which in those days still belonged to the Werve) providing for allour wants; and I cherished a secret hope of saving money, so as oneday to make some repairs and raise this castle from its state of decay. 

"At first everything went on tolerably well. We came in thesummer-time. We both needed rest; the splendid and varied sceneryenticed us out on long rides and drives; in fact, everything combinedto make us enjoy our solitude. But, alas! the autumn came with itslong evenings and chilly days; the General suffered from rheumatismand could not mount his horse. Then weariness overmastered him likea plague, and I tried music and reading in vain. He is not fond ofmusic, and he does not care for reading. He cannot bear to see mewith a book in my hand, unless it be an illustrated book to ornamentthe drawing-room table. When I had read the paper there was nothingmore to say. I played dominoes with him and piquet-à-deux. I couldhardly do it any longer; but he never had enough of it. He grewfidgetty and melancholy, began to languish, and was less and lesssatisfied with our simple way of living. I could not bear to seehim so cast down, without the means of helping him. Just about thistime one of his former comrades, who had also obtained his pension, invited grandfather to visit him in Arnheim. I thought it would be anice change, and encouraged him to go. He was quite happy and quiteat his ease there, and stayed the three winter months. "

"And you?"

"I stayed at home. They had forgotten to invite me; and when theythought of it, it seemed to me such a formal invitation that I madeup my mind to decline it, as I had before reflected it would save agreat deal of expense in ball dresses and other ways of squanderingmoney which such visits necessarily bring with them. "

"Yet, even here, a little attention to dress would not be out ofplace, " I interposed, seizing the opportunity to tell her my opinionon the subject. 

"Oh, it does not matter for me. I can speak as a certain French womandu temps que j'étais femme. That time's past; what does it matterhow Major Frank dresses?"

"Major Frank, " I replied, "should wear a uniform suitable to her rankand the position in which she finds herself. That is no coquetry, it is only decency--seemliness. "

"But, Leopold, " she cried, feverishly beating the devil's tattoo withher little foot, "since I have been here I have bought nothing new, and part of my wardrobe I have given away to the daughter of a poorofficer, who had obtained a place as governess in a rich family, and had scarcely the wherewithal to clothe herself decently. Now, cousin, that you are initiated into the mysteries of my wardrobe, you understand why I could not come to table in a ball costume. Butdon't trouble me with any more of your silly remarks about dress;let me continue. 

"My grandfather returned from Arnheim, cured of his melancholy andmore deeply in debt than ever. His stay, even with a friend, had costhim much money in dress. He had had to order a new general's uniform, as he could not go into society in that of a colonel; then there werefees to servants; and, worst of all, that abominable high play whichis the curse of our nation. In short, on his return he was obliged tosell the home-farm, and even this did not bring in sufficient moneyto satisfy his creditors. This time my grandfather solemnly vowed hewould never enter society again, and he has kept his word; but he soonfell into a black melancholy, from which he is only just recovering. 

"Rolf, a brave soldier, but one who, in spite of his merits, wouldnever have obtained the rank of officer without grandpapa's protection, called upon us. He was a sort of servant in the house before Iwas born, making himself generally useful as only soldiers can. Hissister was my nurse, my mother having died soon after I came into theworld. Unfortunately, she had neither education nor character to fither for the task. With the best intentions, she thoroughly spoilt me, a work in which she was assisted by her brother, Sergeant Rolf, whowould sooner have thought of disobeying his colonel than of opposingany caprice of his 'little Major, ' as he already called me. Well, when he got his pension as captain he stayed here a few days, and hiscompany seemed to be a welcome change to grandfather; and perceivingthat a third person would be an agreeable addition to our society, I proposed to him to take up his quarters here, as he could liveon his pension in one place as well as another. My proposition waseagerly accepted, and I took the command, as he expresses it, whilsthe did his best to cheer up the General, and the winter has passedless monotonously than I anticipated. 

"Meantime Rolf has inherited some property in North Brabant, and nowhe insists upon paying his quota towards the housekeeping expenses, to which I have consented for the General's sake, because he is sofond of delicacies. But you don't know how I suffer when I see themrivalling each other in the pleasures of the table, and think of thehumiliation and abasement of my grandfather----"

Fritz entered with the lamp, and asked if Freule had not rung for thetea. The General and the Captain followed. The conversation languishedover the tea-table, and Francis became silent; when suddenly theCaptain exclaimed, pointing to her hair--

"Ah, the lioness shakes her mane to frighten us!"

"It's true, " she answered coolly; "excuse me, gentlemen. "

And away she went to her own room. 

"It is curious how Francis has these attacks of nonchalance, " mutteredthe General. 

"And just now, when we have a visitor whom she herself brought, "assented the Captain. 

But to change the subject the General proposed a game at cards. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

The Captain arranged the card-table, whilst Fritz removed thetea-things. We took our seats, and the General, as I thought, fixedthe counters tolerably high. 

The old man seemed to undergo a thorough change the moment heheld the cards in his hand. His dull, sleepy eyes brightened withintelligence and sparkled with enthusiasm. Every limb moved; the tipsof his fingers trembled, and yet they still held the cards firmlywhilst he examined them to calculate, with mathematical precision, what was wanting in ours. His pale cheeks flushed a deep red, hisnostrils expanded or contracted according to the chances of the game;and the melancholy man, who usually sat with his head bowed down asthough overburdened, was of a sudden seized by a spirit of audacity, of rashness, of foolhardiness, that not seldom gained him splendidsuccess, and reminded me of the saying, "Good luck is with the rashman. " It certainly is with the audacious player. 

As for myself I made many blunders, which greatly amused mycompanions. I had already lost a considerable sum, when the dooropened and Francis appeared in evening costume. 

I threw down my cards on the table to offer her a chair. The General, who sat with his back to the door, looked at me angrily, whilst theCaptain cried--

"Our Major in full dress. "

"What strange whim is this?" growled the General, with difficultysuppressing his anger, for he had an excellent hand of cards thistime. "The whole day you have gone about like a Cinderella, andnow----"

"The fairy has come, and I appear as a princess, " replied Francis. 

"And the famous glass slipper is not wanting, " I said, admiring thebeautiful little slippers peeping out from under her dress. 

"Perhaps; but I will take care not to lose it. "

"Why not?" I asked, looking fixedly at her. 

"Because I will not make the romance of an hour a question for life. "

"All you are saying to Francis may be very gallant and witty, nephew, "cried the General, "but it is not polite to leave the card-table inthe midst of a game. "

"If the Freule would join us we could play quadrille, " said Rolf. 

"Thanks, Captain, I prefer playing the piano, if it does not disturbyou. "

Her playing was like herself, fantastic and bizarre; gradually, however, it became sweet and melancholy, and moved me almost totears. My thoughts were with the music, and I lost every gameafterwards. The General was furious, and let me perceive it. I wasabout to pay my debt, when Francis entered precipitately, and saidin a decided tone--so decided, indeed, as to displease me--that Ishould not pay. I answered in the same tone, and to cut short allarguments I placed the money on the table. She then tried to snatchout of Rolf's hand the note I had given him. I told her I thoughther interference very unbecoming. 

"Oh, very well; it's all the same to me if you wish to be plundered. "

And with this she returned to the piano; whilst the General, who seemedto gloat over his gains, remained silent during this little scene. Itgave me a painful insight into his character. I pitied the old man, who played not for amusement but for the sake of money, and wouldtake it in large or small sums from a poor relation or a richer man. 

But at the same time, as I went to join Francis at the piano, Ithought my money well spent in discovering the General's weakness, which had so influenced his granddaughter's past life. 

"Will you play?" she asked, brusquely. 

"I don't feel disposed. "

"As you like, " she said, turning to the instrument and striking thekeys as if she would break them. 

I took up an old newspaper and pretended to be reading it. 

In the end she played a prelude, and then began the air of Bettly inthe châlet--

 Liberté chérie, Seul bien de la vie, Règne toujours là! Tra la, la, la, tra la, la, la! Tant pis pour qui s'en fâchera!

I threw aside the paper, and, approaching the piano, I whispered--

"Do you remember how this charming little opera ends?"

"Certainly, like all other pieces suitable for the theatre; but inreal life it is just the contrary, and I like reality. "

Fritz came to announce supper. The gentlemen were cheerful, theCaptain noisy and jovial; Francis only gave short and dry answers, and showed me her ill-humour by only giving me the tips of her fingerswhen she wished us all good-night. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

Unromantic though it may sound, I must confess to having sleptwell on the first night I spent under the roof of my mother'sancestors. Sleep surprised me whilst I was reflecting on thestrange and incomprehensible character of Francis. Proud, generous, noble-hearted, quick-witted, beautiful--and yet with all her charms(which I could feel had already begun to work upon me) spoilt bya detestable education, by the manners of a sutler and a rudenessof the worst kind. And then, in addition to all this, there was thequestion of her past life which I had heard painted in such blackcolours. It seemed doubtful whether Major Frank could ever becomeLady Francis van Zonshoven. 

When I awoke the sun was streaming through the one window whoseshutters I had purposely left open, with the intention of takingan early morning walk. I crept silently down the stairs so as notto awake anybody, but I met Fritz in the vestibule, and he made hismilitary salute in silence. The hall door was wide open. I took thedirection of the home-farm, where I hoped to obtain a glass of newmilk, and draw the tenants out a little about the inhabitants of theCastle--one in particular. 

I had not gone very far before whom should I see coming from the farmbut Francis herself, with a basket of fresh eggs. 

After a moment's hesitation I asked--

"Are we again good friends?" For I had an idea she would have takenanother path if she had seen me a little sooner. 

"I never knew we had ceased to be so, " she answered, colouringa little. 

"Hem! Towards the close of the evening, in spite of what you may sayto the contrary. "

"Say, rather, in spite of myself. Believe me, Leo, I was not moroseout of caprice; I was troubled and anxious. I saw my manner displeasedyou, but I was afraid that to flatter grandfather's weakness you weresuffering yourself to become his dupe. "

"And even in that case I could not permit you to interfere. "

"You had told me you were poor, that you must economize, and thento squander your money in such a way in our house--it seemed to melike card-sharping. "

"No, no; nothing of the sort. But supposing it had been, you havetact enough to understand that it was beneath my dignity to take themoney back. "

"That's true, I am of your opinion; but I warned you beforehand thatmy manners were bad. "

"I think it less a question of bad manners than a certain arrogance, a certain despotism----"

"Well, then, pardon the arrogance, the despotism, " she said jestingly;"still, if I confess you were in the right and that I deservecorrection, will you on your part acknowledge that you are makingsomewhat too much ado about a little mistake?"

"But you, who are so proud, how can you suppose that a man willconsent to be protected by a woman?"

"Again you are right, Leopold; such a man would be like so many othersI know. "

"Pardon me, Francis; our friendship is like a tender plant, and wemust cultivate it so as to prevent its taking a crooked turn. "

"If you regard our friendship in such a serious light, " she resumed, whilst a slight blush suffused her cheeks, "I will capitulate oncondition that our little quarrel of last night be forgotten andforgiven. "

I felt myself under the charm again, and seizing her hand in atransport of joy, I covered it with kisses. 

"Leo, what are you doing?" she cried, pale and with tears in her eyes. 

"Sealing the bond of our friendship. "

"Leo, Leo! you know not what you do, " she said softly; "you forgetto whom you are speaking--I am Major Frank. "

"I will have no more of Major Frank; my cousin Francis Mordaunt mustsuffer me to offer her my arm. " And taking her hand again, I gentlydrew her arm within mine. She submitted in silence, with a singularexpression of dejection on her face. 

"I feel it will do me good to talk to you for once in this way, though it may be the first and only time. Where are you going, Leo?"

"To the farm yonder; I see you have been there already for eggs;let me carry the basket for you. "

"No, thank you. I had not reckoned on the eggs, but the good peopleinsisted upon my taking them; I went to see a patient. "

"A patient! Do you play the doctor?"

"I do a little of everything; but the patient in question is a dog, a dear, faithful creature, my poor 'Veldher, ' who has broken his leg, and will suffer no one to touch him but myself. Another trouble Ihave brought on myself; and yet, if the others could be remedied aseasily!" she said, with a profound sigh. 

She became pale as death, her lips quivered, and, withdrawing her armfrom mine, she stood still, covering her face with her hands as if shewould force back the tears already rolling down her cheeks. I remainedby her side, and after a pause I said, with gentle earnestness--

"Tell me what has happened, Francis; it will be a relief to you andease your mind. "

"Yes, " she resumed, calmly, "I must confide my sufferings to someone, but not now. I will not spoil our morning walk by calling upsuch a frightful scene. I can myself scarcely understand how it ispossible that I, who cannot bear to see dumb creatures suffer, haveto reproach myself with the death of one of my fellow-men. "

"I beseech you to tell me all, trusting in me for my sincerestsympathy. "

"Not now, " she cried; "what good would it do? It would only embitterthe few minutes we have to spend together. "

"May I help you with a word it seems to cost you trouble topronounce? Is it not a certain unfortunate incident with regard toyour coachman?"

"Just so, that's it, " she replied, assuming her defiant and bittertone. "If you wish to know more about it, ask the people at thefarm--they know all the particulars. "

"I shall take good care not to go making inquiries into your secretsbehind your back, Francis. "

"My secrets!" she exclaimed, her voice quivering withindignation. "There is no secret in the matter. It is a questionof a dreadful accident, which happened on the public high-roadin the presence of a crowd of spectators attracted by the noise;but the occasion was not lost to set public opinion against me. Wasit not Major Frank, who never acted like anybody else--Major Frankthe outlaw! It would have been a pity to let such an opportunityof blackening her character pass. I ought to have reflected thatyou would have heard the story; and very likely you are come here'to interview' the heroine of such a romantic adventure. It wouldbe a pity you should lose your pains. There's the farm--go straighton and ask the people to tell you all about the affair between MajorFrank and her coachman Harry Blount; both the man and his wife werewitnesses. And, Jonker van Zonshoven, when they have satisfied you, youmay return to the Werve to take your leave, and return as you came. "

And off she ran, without giving me time to answer, leaving me in astate of terrible confusion. 

One thing at last seemed clear to me; I had lost her for ever. Should Ifollow and overtake her? She appeared resolute to tell me no more. YetI must know more! I could neither stay at the Werve nor go away untilmy doubts were cleared up. 

I went on to the farm, and was soon served with a glass of milk. Thefarmer's wife seemed to know all about my visit, and thought it quitenatural for the Freule to send me there for a glass of new milk. Shewas loud in her praises of the Freule, said her equal was not tobe found in the whole aristocracy, "so familiar and kind-hearted, but at times flighty, and then she goes off like a locomotive"--shepronounced it "leukemetief. " But it would be impossible for me toreproduce her Guelders dialect; and, to confess a truth, I had myselfsometimes great difficulty in understanding her. 

She showed me the farm and the dog, a splendid brown pointer whoallowed me to stroke him, probably for his mistress' sake. Once thegood farmer's wife had loosened her tongue, she rattled away withgreat volubility--

"Yes, she was sorry the General was no longer their landlord; butOverberg was not a bad fellow--he had made many repairs, and evenpromised to build a new barn which the General would never consentto. It was a pity for the man! A good gentleman, but he took nointerest in farming; the whole place must have gone to wrack andruin if the General had not agreed to sell it before it was toolate. The Freule was sorry, for she liked farming; she had learned tomilk, and talked to the cows just as if they were human beings. Andhorses--yes, Jonker, even the plough horses, before they go out intothe field in the morning, she talks to them. My husband was groom toher grandfather, in his youth; I think I can see the greys she used todrive with so much pride, and Blount the coachman at her side, as proudas a king, with his arms folded, and looking as if the team belongedto him. Oh dear, yes! And now all that grandeur has disappeared. Thebeautiful carriage-horses are sold, and the Freule has only her Englishhorse which my husband stables and grooms for her. What a sin and shameit is when the gentry fall into such decay! And the family used to bethe greatest in these parts, and good to their tenants. My parents andgrandparents always lived on the estate; but oh, oh! since the marriageof the eldest Freule Roselaer, they have never prospered. What can Isay? 'A house divided against itself cannot stand, ' as the Scripturestell us. The Jonker has certainly heard of all these things?"

"Enough, Mrs. Pauwelsen, more than enough, " I responded, for the goodwoman's chatter was becoming insupportable. I hastily took my leaveof her and arrived just in time for breakfast; in fact, I was in thebreakfast-parlour before either the Captain or the General. Franciswas alone, but when she saw me she left the room under the pretextof seeing if the tea-water boiled. 

"Stay, Francis--I think I have a right to a kinder reception. "

"On what do you ground your right? Have you now satisfied yourcuriosity?"

"I know nothing, Francis; I asked no questions. "

"Asked nothing! on your word of honour?"

"I have not asked two words, Francis. I did not ask, because I didnot want to hear anything. "

"Forsooth! You have shown more self-control than I thought a mancapable of. "

"Are the women so much our superiors in this respect?"

"If it be necessary, we can keep quiet. "

CHAPTER XIX. 

The Captain made his appearance, and put an end to our conversation, without for a moment being aware how unwelcome his presence was tome. I could scarcely give a civil answer to his question--

"Slept well, Jonker?"

He went on, however, in his jovial tone--

"The General will be here directly. "

And, indeed, the General's entrance followed like an echo to the words, and the breakfast began. 

Francis was silent and preoccupied--yet she gave me a look as ifshe regretted her want of confidence in me--making all sorts ofmistakes. The General's tea was sweetened twice over, and the Captainfound he had no sugar in his, a defect which he remedied as furtivelyas possible, whispering to me--

"Our Major's got out on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Wemust take care, or the orders of the day will be severe. She----"

"But Francis! What's the matter with you today; the eggs are too hard, "growled the General. 

"What a pity, just when we have a visitor, " sighed the Captain;"otherwise they are boiled to perfection. "

"By the way, Leopold, what hour is your carriage orderedfor?" interposed the General. 

"Well, uncle, I left it to the Captain, " was my reply. 

As we spoke a carriage drove up, and Francis rose from the table tolook out of the window. 

"It is indeed too early, " said the General, reproachfully, to Rolf. 

"Wait a moment, Excellency, " replied Rolf, with a roguish twinkle ofthe eye; and he walked over to the window where Francis stood. Thenwith a loud laugh he said, "The Jonker left the matter in my hands, and perceiving he would like to stay a little longer with us, I simplysent off to Zutphen for his luggage. "

It was now my turn to speak, and I asked Francis if she would keepme there a few days longer. Her answer, however, was in the negative. 

"Leave at once; it is better for both of us. "

In the meantime the Captain, like a worthy major-domo, had not onlyassisted in bringing in my box, but also a number of packages, bottles, tins, &c. , which he spread over the table, and clapping the Generalon the shoulder, as he said--

"Now, what says your Excellency; have I not made a splendid foragingparty?"

"No more of your 'Excellency' and insolent nonsense, " burst outFrancis, her eyes striking fire and her cheeks burning with rage. "Youclearly forget, you d----d rascal, that you are an inferior; otherwiseyou would not dare to act like this. Bless my soul, what a foolishthrowing away of money is this--perdrix rouges, pâté-de-foie-gras, all kinds of fish in jelly, all kinds of preserved fruit. Why, itlooks as if you were going to start a business here. Why have youbrought all these useless dainties again?" And she struck the tablewith her clenched fist till the pots and bottles danced again. "TheGeneral ought to turn you out of doors; and he would if his tongueand sense of honour had not grown dull. "

"Francis, Francis!" murmured Von Zwenken in a pitiful tone. 

"No, grandfather, " she continued, more loudly and rudely, "it is ashame, and if you had the least fortitude left you would put a stopto such extravagance. "

"Major, Major!" interposed Rolf, deprecatingly. 

"Silence, you miserable epicure--I am no longer your major; I havehad enough of your quasi-pleasantry. If I had my will all this shouldbe changed. But I have lost my authority; you let me talk----"

"Scream, you mean, " corrected Von Zwenken, with a quivering voice. 

"And you go on just the same, " resumed Francis, pitching her voicestill higher. "But I will not suffer you to take such liberties anylonger; and if grandfather does not call you to order, I will myselfput you out of doors, and all your delicacies with you. "

"For heaven's sake, Francis, calm yourself, " said Von Zwenken;"remember that Jonker van Zonshoven is a witness of your unseemlyconduct. "

"All the better. The Jonker chooses to become our guest, and heshall see and know into what a mean and miserable a household he hasentered. I will put no blind before his eyes. "

"There is, however, a difference between trying to blind people, andtearing off the bandages from the sores in this way, Miss Mordaunt, "I replied, with emphasis. 

"Possibly, Jonker; but I cannot hide my meaning in fine words. Imust speak plainly. I would rather live on bread and water than bebeholden to another for these luxuries. "

With this she left the room, giving me a defiant look, which Ireturned by a shake of the head, to signify how much I disapprovedof her conduct and the intemperance of her language. 

Whilst we stood staring at each other, we three gentlemen, in a stateof stupefaction, she just put her head in at the door and said--

"Captain, you will attend to the housekeeping duties to-day; I amgoing for a ride. "

"At your service, Commandant, " answered Rolf, bringing his hand tohis cap in military fashion. 

I could not help expressing my amazement at the coolness with whichhe treated the whole affair. 

"What could I say, Jonker; such outbursts are not new to me. I sawthis morning that the weather-glass stood at storm. The quicker andmore violent the storm, the sooner it is over; and you know an oldsoldier is proof against weather. "

"I am glad I warned you beforehand, nephew, of my granddaughter'stemper, " said the General, with a deep sigh, without raising hishead to look at me. "Once she's got an idea into her head, there isno opposing her; she'll drive through anything, like a man on hishobby-horse; she never reasons. "

I thought to myself, she reasons only too logically for you; and heevidently felt it, for throughout the whole scene he had sat withhis head down, nervously playing with his ring. 

"Come, General, don't be cast down, " said Rolf, cheerily: "we'llmaintain our alliance against the common foe, and the wind willchange again. "

As he spoke he unfolded a long, small parcel; it contained ariding-whip. "I am afraid the moment is inopportune, " he said;"and yet she will need it. Who knows but she'll accept my present?"

"I hope not, " I said to myself; "that would lower her in my esteem. "

"She deserves to be chastised with it, " interposed the General, now giving vent to his pent-up rage. 

"Yes, Excellency, that we ought to have done twenty years ago. Itwas a mistake to promote her to the command before we had taught herthe discipline. "

"A great mistake, " sighed the General. 

Rolf now set to work to attend to his housekeeping duties, and Iexcused myself under the pretext of having letters to write; for Ihad a great wish to be alone and reflect on all I had seen and heardthis morning. 

CHAPTER XX. 

Once in my room, I threw off my coat, loosened my collar, and mademyself quite comfortable before commencing a letter to Overberg. 

Suddenly there came a polite rap at my door, and, when I opened it, who should stand before me but Major Frank in person. She was dressedin her riding-habit, and brought me an inkstand, which she placed onthe table, then took a chair quite at her ease, though she could seeI was not pleased at being surprised in my shirt-sleeves. However, I put on my coat and demanded the object of her visit, as I scarcelybelieved her sole object was to supply me with an inkstand; and Ipointed out to her I had got my own writing-case with me. My freezingmanner seemed to disappoint her, so she said--

"I wished to ask a favour of you, but I see I disturb you. "

I was still silent. 

"Have you a strap amongst your luggage which I can use as ariding-whip? You know I have lost mine. "

"I can lend you my ruler. Will that do?"

She grew very red, and after a pause she said--

"I see you are in no humour to render me a service. "

"I am always ready to serve a lady who exercises the privileges of hersex. Why did you not send for me, if you wished to ask me anything?"

"Ah!" she exclaimed, in an injured tone, "my want of etiquette causesyour ill-humour. I have come into your room. Well, pass it over--youknow I am so little of 'a lady. '"

"That's only too true, Major. "

"Major!" she repeated angrily, opening her large eyes inastonishment. "I thought you disliked my nickname. "

"Not since I have seen the soldier in action. But I should liketo know to which class of majors you belong, tambour-major orsergeant-major? For I believe the command of a regiment is usuallygiven to a man of refinement--to a person, in fact, who can makehimself respected by his gentleman-like behaviour and dignity; butafter the scene I witnessed this morning----"

"Leopold!" she cried, deadly pale, her lips quivering, "this is apersonal insult. Do you mean it as such?"

I was surprised at the change, for I had expected her to wreak heranger on me now. But she sat quite still, as if nailed to her chair;so I continued--

"My remarks only apply to the disagreeable character it pleases youto assume. "

Still no answer. And I began to be embarrassed in my turn, whichembarrassment was only increased by her breaking out in a plaintivetone--

"Leopold, you strike deeper than you suppose. "

"Francis, " I cried, changing my tone, "believe me, it is not myintention to wound you; I wish to cure you. "

I was going to take her hand, when she sprang up as if she had receivedan electric shock, and said in her bitterest tone--

"I will not be cured by you; I am what I am, and don't you waste yourprecious time on such a disagreeable creature as you think me to be. "

"Oh, Francis! I am not deceived in you, and I will try to cure you inspite of yourself. When you made such a terrible scene in my presencethis morning, I understood you. It meant this: He is staying hereto study the character of Major Frank; well now, he shall see it inall its rudeness and insufferableness, and we shall see how long hewill stay in spite of me. Miss Mordaunt, I have seen through yourintentions, and I am not to be frightened away by the rude mask youhave put on. "

"A mask! I am no masker!" she cried, stamping her foot with rage. "You, Jonker van Zonshoven, come from the Hague, a town full of maskers, to tell me this, me whose chief defect or merit--which you like--isto have broken with all social hypocrisies, me whose chief pride isto speak my mind plainly without regard of persons. I did not thinkit necessary to measure my words in your presence; it appeared to meyou had made yourself one of the family, and I thought it best youshould know the relationship in which we stand to each other. "

"Just so, " I replied, smiling. "You acknowledge that in raising yourvoice several notes too high when you gave those two humiliated mena piece of your mind, your real object was to drive a third personout of the house. Be sincere, Francis, confess the truth. "

I tried in vain to look her in the face whilst I spoke. She had turnedher head away, and was kicking the leg of the table. 

"I observe, and not for the first time, that you can be disagreeablewhen you like, " she remarked, after a long pause. 

"I confess it; but an evasion is not an answer, Francis. "

"Well then, yes, it is true; I wished you to leave for your ownsake. But never believe, Leopold, whatever stories you hear about me, that I am deceitful, that I would play a part. I was myself when Imade the scene--violent, angry, and burning with indignation. I havemy whims and fancies, that I know; but I never feign--that wouldill become me; for, I may say, I have too much good in me to actfalsely. Yet there are so many contradictory feelings in me that Isometimes stand surprised at myself. And let me tell you, Leo, I camehere to seek consolation from you, but your tone and your words havebitterly disappointed me, so much so that for a moment I have askedmyself whether you were one of those snobs in patent-leather boots, who, while expressing horror at an ungloved hand, are yet not afraidof soiling its whiteness by boxing your wife's ears. Because I did notobserve the form of sending a servant to ask you to come to my room, you receive me as you did, and repulse me with mocking words!"

It was now my turn to feel piqued, and I should have answered sharplyhad I not succeeded in controlling myself. 

"Pardon me, Francis, I should consider myself the greatest of cowardsto strike a woman; but it was no question of a woman just now. We werespeaking of Major Frank--Major Frank who is angry when reminded ofthe privileges of the fair sex, because he will not be classed amongst'the ladies, ' and who, in my opinion, ought not to be surprised when, after his own fashion, one tells him the truth roundly, and withoutmincing matters. "

Francis listened this time without interrupting me. She was staringat the panes of the window, as if to put herself in countenance again;her paleness disappeared, and, turning round, she said, without anger, but with firmness--

"I confess, Leopold, it is not easy to contradict you; and now Ithink we are quits. Are we again good friends?"

"There's nothing I desire more ardently; but, once for all, withwhom? with Major Frank or----"

"Well, then, Francis Mordaunt asks for your friendship. "

She offered me both her hands, and her eyes filled with tears she couldno longer keep back. How gladly I would have kissed them away, andpressed her to my heart and told her all! But I could not compromisemy commencing victory. 

"Should I have spoken to you in this way, Francis, if I had not beenyour sincere friend?"

"I see it now, and I have need of a sincere friend. Well then, theCaptain is ruining himself for our sakes; and grandfather, in a mostcowardly fashion, lends himself to such doings. Is it not horrible?"

"It is very wrong, I admit. "

"Now, suppose the General were to die--I should be left shut up inthis place for life with the Captain. When he has rendered himselfpoor for our sakes, I cannot send him away. Now do you understand Ihad reasons for being angry this morning?"

"That you had reasons, I don't dispute; but the form----"

"Come, come, always the form!"

"I don't say the form is the main thing, but a woman who gives wayto such fits of violence puts herself in the wrong, even though shehave right on her side. Just think for a moment what a scene if theCaptain had retaliated in the same coarse language of the barracks, which he has probably not forgotten. "

"I should like to see him try it on with me!"

"However, he had a perfect right to do so. I agree you are rightin principle; but let me beseech you to change your manner ofproceeding. The gentleness of a woman is always more persuasive thanthe transports of passion. You have told me your early education wasneglected; but you have read Schiller?"

"Die Räuber, " she replied, tauntingly. 

"But not his 'Macht des Weibes, ' nor this line--

 'Was die Stille nicht wirkt, wirket die Rauschende nie!'"

She shook her head in the negative. 

"This part of your education has been much neglected. "

"I will not deny it. "

"But it is not yet too late. Will you listen to my advice?"

"Not now; I have already stayed too long here, and--and--you stay atthe Castle----"

"As long as you will keep me, Francis. "

"Well, stay as long as you can--that is, if you can fall in with ourways. I am going out for a ride; I need fresh air and movement. "

"Apropos the service you came to ask of me--the strap?"

"Oh, I shall pluck a switch. The Captain came to offer me a whip, and----"

"And you would rather accept it at my hands, " I said, laughing. 

"No; but I should like to borrow ten guilders of you for a coupleof days. "

I handed over my purse, and told her to take out of it as much asshe required. What a strange creature! What a comic conclusion toour battle!

I also felt as if a little fresh air would do me good, and so I walkedoff to the village post-office with my letter to Overberg. 

CHAPTER XXI. 

Downstairs I met the General ready for a walk, and he offered toaccompany me. He had also a letter for the post, which was a secretto be kept from Francis; and he expected to find a packet awaitinghim, which could not be entrusted to a servant. The packet was thereamongst the letters marked poste restante; but when he had openedit with precipitation, a cloud of disappointment covered his face, and he heaved a heavy sigh. 

"Don't say anything to Francis about the packet, " he said to me, as wewalked back from the post. "Such business I must manage unknown to her;she does not understand these things, and she would not agree withme; and with her temper--at my age I have great need of quiet--thatyou comprehend. The Captain is entirely indebted to me for his rank, and it is but natural he should pay me some little attention. Yet youheard how my granddaughter took the matter up this morning. Instead ofbeing content with me for retiring to this wilderness of a place, whichI did to please her, she does nothing to render my life supportable. "

"And yet the Werve is beautifully situated, uncle. "

"I agree with you there; but when one must give up all field sports, this becomes a very isolated place. The village offers not theslightest resource, and the town is too far away. "

"Why don't you sell the Castle, uncle?"

"Ah, my dear boy, for that I must have money, much money; and thatI have been in want of all my life. There are so many mortgageson the Castle that nobody would give the sum necessary to paythem. Besides, the person who bought it would like to possess theneighbouring estates. My sister-in-law, who possessed the Runenbergestates bordering on my property, wished to buy it, but I refusedher; family hatred would not suffer me to make room for her. Thankheaven, she's gone. She instituted proceedings against me about astrip of land of no real value to either of us; and the lawsuit costme thousands of guilders. She won, as a matter of course, and thenlaid claim to a small bridge which connected the land in questionwith my grounds. Again I lost my money and my case; and now I mustmake a long round to reach places quite near, because the use of thebridge is forbidden me. Oh, that woman has been the curse of my life!"

"But to come back to the question. Overberg has commissioned me to saythat the heir to the Runenberg is likely to make you an advantageousoffer for the Werve. "

"It could be done privately--as in the case of the farms? Overbergarranged that for me--and there are reasons for avoiding a publicsale, " cried the old man, brightening up with a ray of hope. 

"Yes, Overberg said as much; the only question was whether you couldbe induced to sell it. "

"For myself, yes, with all my heart. But Francis--there's therub! She has an affection for this old rats' nest, for the familytraditions, and for heaven know's what; nay, even for the title whichits possession carries with it. God bless the mark! She has got itinto her head that at some future day she will be Baroness de Werve;and it is an illusion of hers to restore this old barrack. But heronly chance of doing it is to make a rich marriage. Formerly she hadchances enough amongst the rich bachelors, but she treated them allslightingly; and now we see nobody in this lonely place. "

"But you do not need her permission to sell the Castle?"

"Legally I do not require it; but there would be no living with herif I sold it without her consent. Besides, she has a right to beconsulted. When she came of age I had to inform her that her mother'sfortune was nearly all spent. It was not my fault. Sir John Mordauntkept up a large establishment, and lived in English style, withoutEnglish money to support it; for he was only a second son, and hiscaptain's pay was not large. A little before his death he lost anuncle, to whose property and title Francis would have succeeded ifshe had been a boy. Shortly after this event my son-in-law died ofapoplexy, and I was left guardian to Francis. My evil fate pursuedme still, and being in want of a large sum of money to clear off adebt, which would disgrace the family if not paid at once, Francisgenerously offered me her whole fortune. I accepted it, as there wasno alternative, but only as a loan; and promised to leave the Werveto her at my death. "

"But Francis is your only grandchild--or stay, I have heard you hada son, General; has he children?"

"My son is--dead, " Von Zwenken answered, with a strange kind ofhesitancy in his voice. "He was never married so far as I know--atleast, he never asked my consent to a marriage; and if he has leftchildren I should not acknowledge them to be legitimate. In short, you now understand why I cannot sell the Castle without Francis'consent; after my death my creditors cannot take possession of itwithout reckoning with her. "

It struck me that Aunt Sophia had never foreseen this, and the mineshe had been digging for Von Zwenken would have blown up Francis inthe ruins if things had been allowed to take their course. I had, infact, at my side, a type of the most refined selfishness, profoundlycontemptible, recounting to me his shameful scheming under the coverof a gentlemanlike exterior and a polite friendliness, which mightdeceive the shrewdest man alive. Could I any longer wonder why Francishad so great an aversion to outward forms and ceremonies. 

"But, " I resumed, "are you not afraid that after your death yourgranddaughter will be sadly undeceived, and perhaps cheated out ofher all by your negligence. "

"What can I say, mon cher? Necessity knows no law; and I still hopeto better my fortune before the end comes. "

"At his age, by what means?" I asked myself. 

Then I thought of the packet he had been to fetch from thepost-office. I believed I had seen it contained long lists of numbers;they were certainly the official numbers of some German lottery. Theunhappy man evidently rested all his hopes on this expedient forre-establishing order in his affairs; and probably invested everypenny he could scrape together in such lotteries. I though him anidiot to trust to any such means. 

"Nephew, " he exclaimed, briskly, and with vivacity, as if a brightidea had struck him, "if it be true Overberg intends to treat with meabout the sale of the Castle, would it not be well for you to breakthe subject to Francis, just to sound her? It appears to me you havesome influence over her; and the greatest obstacle would be removedif you could change her fixed ideas on the point. "

"I will do so, uncle. "

"You can make use of this argument, that the company of the Captainwould become less of a necessity for me if I were in some town whereother society is to be found. "

Fortunately I did not need to answer him: we were at home, the luncheonbell was ringing, and the Captain came out to meet us, jovial asever. Francis had not returned, and we took luncheon without waitingfor her. Only at dinner-time did she put in an appearance. Her toilettewas simply made, but she was dressed in good taste, and her beautybrought out to perfection. I was charmed. She seemed to tell me ina silent way that Major Frank had given place to Miss Mordaunt. Shewas quiet and thoughtful at dinner, and did not scold the Captain, who watched all her movements with dog-like humility. She paid muchattention to the General, who seemed absent and out of sorts, for heonly tasted some of the dishes. The dinner itself was a much simpleraffair than on the preceding day; yet there was sufficient, and oneextra dish had been made specially for Von Zwenken, who did not askfor the finer sorts of wine, but made up for this want by drinking twobottles of the ordinary wine without appearing any the worse for it. 

The only difference between him and the Captain was, that unlike thelatter, he did not frankly confess that he lived to eat, and thathis belly was his god. I began to feel a most hearty contempt forthis grand-uncle of mine, and more especially when I reflected onthe conversation we had had during our morning's walk. 

CHAPTER XXII. 

Dinner over, I did not hesitate about leaving the gentlemento themselves. I declined a cigar, and followed Francis to thedrawing-room. Rolf soon joined us, and demanded humbly--

"What says my Major--do I not deserve a word of praise?"

"Yes, certainly, " she replied, but her face clouded. 

Guessing the reason, I whispered to the Captain--

"Don't you perceive you annoy my cousin by always addressing her bythat hateful nickname? Can't you see by her elegant dress she desiresto appear herself--Miss Mordaunt?"

"Indeed I am a blockhead not to pay better attention; but the truthis, Jonker--excuse me, Freule--the custom is such an inveterate one. "

"You and I must break with old customs, Captain, " she said softly, but with emphasis, "for we have been on the wrong track--have wenot, Jonker?"

"May I say one word, " interposed the Captain, "before the Freule andthe Jonker begin to philosophise; should the General come in I cannotsay it. You know the day after to-morrow is the General's seventy-sixthbirthday. I had intended the celebration to be a brilliant affair;but when I hear of wrong tracks, changes, and such farrago, I beginto fear all my plans will fall through. "

"Oh! was that the reason you brought in all those dainties thismorning?"

"Yes, and I thought the Jonker would be an agreeable addition toour party. "

"I give you full leave to arrange it all in your own way, Rolf. Grandfather must be fêted. "

"Hurrah! of course!" he cried merrily; and off he went to make hisarrangements, carefully shutting the folding-doors behind him so asto isolate us from the dining-room. 

I was just going to compliment Francis on the change in her style ofdressing, when she complained of the closeness of the room, and skippedoff into the garden. Left thus to my own resources, I lit a cigarand walked out in front of the house, where I soon espied my lady;and when I joined her she proposed to walk as far as the ruin to seethe sun set. Instead of taking the regular path, Francis preferredmaking direct for the object in view; and we had to trample throughthe underwood, and were many times tripped by the roots of felledtrees. In answer to my remarks on this whim of hers, she replied--

"People say my education was neglected, which is not quite correct. Iam not altogether a child of the wilderness. In fact, much troublewas given to my training, only it was not of the right sort. I wasbrought up as a boy. As you know already, my mother died a few daysafter my birth, and Rolf's sister was my nurse. Her own child haddied, and I replaced it for her. She had a blind affection for me, almost bordering on fanaticism; she obeyed all my wishes, giving asan excuse to any remonstrances that she was the only person in theworld who loved me. This was an exaggeration, for my grandfather, wholived in the same house with us, made much of me, though it is trueSir John Mordaunt took little notice of his child. He had previouslyhad a son called Francis, like myself, on whom all his hopes werefixed during the six months the child lived. I was a disappointment, as he wished to have a son to take the place of the lost infant; andhe received me with so little welcome that I have heard the last hoursof my poor mother's life were embittered by this knowledge. My nurse, who could no longer bear the indifference with which he treated me, one day took me into his room, to show him what a healthy, strongchild I was. 'Indeed, ' she said, 'it might have been a boy. '

"Rolf has since told me that my father seemed suddenly struck by anidea. From that day forth he devoted much attention to my training, and this has made me what I am. Under pretext of hygiene and Englishcustom, I was dressed in a loose costume, 'a boy's suit, ' as my nursecalled it, and I was taught all kinds of gymnastic exercises. Theyhardened me against heat and cold like a young Spartan. Rolf taughtme the military exercise, and made me quite an adept at fencing, and all the young officers who dined with us were invited to have about with me. Out of complaisance to papa, they allowed me to comeoff victor; and Sir John was sure to reward me splendidly for anypraise I won. At this time grandfather held the rank of Major, andI suppose it was an idea of Rolf's to give me the title of 'LittleMajor, ' with which my father was so pleased that he often addressedme by this sobriquet, and so gave it the stamp of his authority. Iwell remember, on one occasion, an officer, evidently a stranger, addressed me as Miss Francis, which so much surprised me that Iuttered a good round oath in English--it was Sir John's favouriteexpression; whereupon my father took me in his arms and kissed me, so far as I can recollect for the first time in my life. "

"It is less to be wondered at that the bad habit has clung to youeven to this day. "

"My nurse of course told me it was wrong, and tried to break meof it; but in my childish way I was a match for her, replying, 'But papa does so--is it a sin, then?'

"'Oh, for gentlemen it is different. '

"'Very well, I will be a gentleman; I won't be a girl. '

"Indeed, my childhood was embittered by the idea that I was a girland could never become a man. I never went to children's parties; Iwas always with grown-up people, officers, and lovers of the chase, and at eight years of age I was no bad match for some of them onhorseback. When my nurse acknowledged she had lost all control over me, a tutor was engaged--yes, a tutor: don't be surprised. Sir John hadnever either announced the death of his son or the birth of a daughterto his relations in England. For this reason I was isolated from myown sex, and even learned to regard it with somewhat of an aversion, owing to the conversation of Sir John and Dr. Darkins. I profited bysuch training, though perhaps not exactly as they desired, for I hateda lie, and my chief desire was to show myself such as I was, proudand frank in all my dealings with men. I am convinced grandfatherhad no hand in this plot, but he was too weak to speak out and sethis face against it. Sometimes, however, he gave me needlework to do, and he had a strong aversion to Dr. Darkins. Disputes arose betweenhim and Sir John, and he shortly after moved to another garrison, taking Rolf with him. When I was close upon my fourteenth year, Dr. Darkins was suddenly cashiered, and it was announced to me thatI should be sent to an aristocratic ladies' boarding-school. There Iplayed all sorts of pranks, smoked like a grenadier, and had alwaysa supply of extra-fine cigarettes wherewith to tempt my schoolfellows. 

"The cause of this great change in my life was brought about in thisway. Aunt Ellen, a sister of my father's, had come over to Scheveningenwith her husband for the bathing season, and thence she made a flyingvisit to see her brother, taking everybody by surprise--nobody moreso than Sir John himself. 

"'Francis must be a big boy now; what are you going to make of him?' Iheard her ask my father. 

"'There's nothing to be made of him, ' my father answered angrily inhis embarrassment, 'for Francis is only a girl. The eldest child, a son, is dead. I have only this one. '

"'John, John, ' cried the lady reproachfully, 'the whole family believedyou had a son, and you have done nothing to undeceive us; and theold baronet, who pays you the yearly income set apart for his heir, is expecting to see you both in England very soon. What do you meanby it? Have you acted like a gentleman?'

"Papa lisped something about 'absolute necessity, ' and seemed anxiousto induce her to co-operate in his schemes. The proud lady burstforth in indignation--

"'Can you imagine I would become a party to such deception?'

"Sir John, to relieve his disappointment, uttered his usual oath, and ordered me out of the room, as he now perceived I was listeningwith all my ears. 

"I obeyed very unwillingly, and not until I had spoken to AuntEllen. He ordered me to hold my tongue, and there was a minglingof menace, of anxiety, and embarrassment in his looks which drove mesheer out of the room. I had never seen him look like that before. Whatpassed between them I cannot say. Aunt Ellen afterwards gave me fiftypounds, and promised to make me that yearly allowance if my conductwas satisfactory at school. I told her I hated girls' schools, andthat I should much prefer going to England with Dr. Darkins, as hadbeen promised me. 

"'That's out of the question, my child. ' More she did not say, andI knew better than to ask Sir John any questions. 

"Well, as you may imagine, I did not stay a whole year at school. Insome things I had the advantage of the eldest girls, whilst in others Iwas more stupid and ignorant than the children in the lowest class. Myknitting was always in confusion; I broke my needles in my impatience;I spoilt the silk and sampler if I had any marking to do; and, tomake matters worse, if any one laughed at me for my awkwardness, or punished me for my carelessness, I flew into the most violentpassion. I fought with the assistant-mistress, and boxed the earsof any girl who called me Major Frank--a girl from the same town asmyself having betrayed me. Before I had been there six weeks I ranaway, and had to be taken back by Sir John himself; but six monthslater I was dismissed as an untractable, incorrigible creature, whoseconduct was pernicious in its effect on the rest of the school. Thedismissal, however, was an injustice to me. Music was the only thingI liked at school, and the music master was the only teacher who hadnever had reason to complain of me; on the contrary, he praised me, he flattered me, and one day he even gave me a kiss. "

"The wretch!"

"Yes, this liberty aroused all my feelings of feminine dignity, and I boxed his ears for him. "

"That was just like you!"

"The other girls rushed into the room; the headmistress followedto inquire into the cause of the disturbance. Of course the masterhad the first word, and he was base enough to say I had become soviolent on account of his correcting my fingering. When asked for myexplanation, I answered that I would not contradict a liar--it wasbeneath my dignity. 

"I declined to apologize, and was threatened with the severestpunishments known in the school. They shut me up in a room and fedme on bread and water, but all in vain; the mistress was obliged towrite for my father. 

"He sent my old nurse to fetch me away, and I confided the truthto her with many tears. She was very anxious to make a scene, give'madame' a piece of her mind in the presence of her pupils; but I wasso glad to get away from the school that I prevented her carrying outher intentions. I told her I should not be believed. The fact was, one of the elder girls told me I was very foolish to make so much fussabout a kiss. The music master kisses me, ' she continued, 'and all theothers who are pretty, ' as he says. Still, we are much too sensibleto tell any one, for he lends us French novels forbidden by madame, and improvises invitations for us when we want to go out: in short, he is ready to do us all kinds of services that we could not trust to aservant of the establishment. What folly to make such a man your enemy!

"I have since met this same girl--Leontine was her name--in society, and experienced the advantages of her education. She was eververy polite to my face, and calumniated me directly my back wasturned. Thus, you see, under these forms of decorum all kinds of liesand infamy are hidden. "

"Francis, I am quite of your opinion that a man's fine manners areno guarantee of his morality or uprightness; but do you think societywould be improved by turning all its sin, wretchedness, and uglinessto the surface?"

"It is certain we should then fly from it in disgust and horror. "

"But every one cannot fly from it. There are people who are obligedto live in society; and, provided that we do not become its dupe, it is better that what you call the mantle of decorum should give tosocial life an aspect which renders it supportable. "

As we returned from the ruin the sky had become misty, and the sunwas setting behind the clouds, its presence being only marked by theorange and purple rays struggling through the mist; the fields werealready invisible under this wet sheet of nature's procuring. Itwas time for us to seek shelter from such humidity as surroundedus. Francis proposed to enter the house with all speed. 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history ofher past life, I encouraged her to continue her story. 

She went on to say that a Swiss governess was engaged to teach herneedlework and other ladylike accomplishments. 

"My father, " she said, "seeing all his plans foiled by the unexpectedvisit of my English aunt, left me entirely in the hands of mygoverness. And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to theold uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship, and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was theaccepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills ofexchange from that source. It was these bills of exchange which hadenabled him to keep up such an expensive establishment. He ought nowto have adopted a plainer style of living; but he preferred drawingupon his capital. 

"I thought it my duty to write to Aunt Ellen, and to tell her the truthabout my having left the school. She answered me in affectionate terms, and enclosed the annual fifty pounds with many exhortations to industryand much good advice. She even promised me I should come to London ona visit, as she had much to tell me. But, alas! next year she died, and my pension ceased--nor have I ever heard a word of my Englishrelations since. 

"Mademoiselle Chelles, my governess, was a woman of tact, and wonmy affection and esteem. In the long walks we took together ourconversation was confidential, and she spoke of the sufferings of thepoor, and the pleasures to be derived from relieving them; in short, she showed me the serious side of life in a manner no one else hadever done before. She inspired me with a love for the beauties ofnature, and awoke the better feelings which, thus far, had laindormant; assisting me in my preparation for confirmation. Perhapsshe would have succeeded in extirpating 'Major Frank' altogether, but that my nurse grew jealous of her influence; and, worse still, Rolf, now promoted to the rank of lieutenant, fell in love withher. She could not bear the grand soudard, the 'ogre, ' as she calledhim; for his manners frightened her, and he made his offer in sucha maladroit fashion that she walked off to my father, and said shewould leave the house if ever that man were allowed to put his footinto it again. This, as everybody said, was assuming the 'high tone'on her part. Grandfather and nurse were on Rolf's side, and my fatheranswered--'It's only a governess, let her go. ' I myself said littlefor her; I was too anxious to regain my ancient liberty--though I havesince known the loss I sustained in losing her. I was young then;my father ought to have known better. Even to the present day thisis one of my grudges against Rolf. 

"Again I became 'Major Frank. ' I accompanied my father on his rides, and I saw he was proud of my horsemanship. Sometimes we huntedtogether, and when he allowed me to drive I was ever ready to showoff my daring and skill. In the meantime my nurse died, and now, indeed, I felt the truth of her words--that she was the only personin the world who really loved me. I had to take her place, and fulfilthe duties of mistress in the household. My father was expecting avisitor from England----"

She stopped abruptly, and fixing her beautiful blue eyes on me witha strange expression, asked--

"Leopold, have you been in the society of women much?"

"When I lived with my mother I saw many of her friends and visitors;but since----"

"That's not the question. I ask you if, like most men, you havesometimes suffered from the intermittent fever called love?"

"I have done my best, cousin, to escape it. Knowing myself to betoo poor to maintain a wife in these expensive times, I have alwaysobserved a strict reserve in my relations with them in order not tobe led away from my principles. "

"Then you have never been 'passion's slave, ' as Hamlet puts it. "

"My time has always been too much occupied for anything of the sort. "

"So much the better for you; but I am sorry for myself, because youwill not be able to give me the information I am seeking. "

"Tell me what you want to know; possibly I can enlighten you. "

"I wish to know if you think it possible for an honourable man, whois neither a fool nor a coxcomb, but who, on the contrary, has givenevidences of his shrewdness and penetration, not to observe prettyquickly that a girl--how shall I express myself?--that a girl isdeeply attached to him, even though no word of love has been exchangedbetween them?"

I was greatly embarrassed. What could be her meaning? Was thissimplicity or maliciousness on her part, to address such a questionto me? After a few moments' reflection, however, I answered--

"I believe that, in general, both men and women very quickly discoverthe mutual feelings which they entertain towards each other, eventhough no words on the subject have passed between them. "

"That is my opinion also now; but at the time I am referring to I wasas inexperienced as a child. My father's friends always regarded meas an ill-bred girl, whimsical and capricious, a sort of savage whomnobody cared to invite into society either for the sake of their sonsor daughters. The young officers who visited at our house would tryto make themselves agreeable; but their conduct appeared so insipid, so ridiculous, that I only mocked them, and gave such biting repliesas to disconcert the most intrepid amongst them. 

"It was at this time that Lord William came to stay with us. Hewas introduced to me as a schoolfellow of my father's; at Eton hehad been Sir John's fag, and indeed was his junior by only a fewyears. For some reason, unexplained to me, it was said he had beenobliged to leave England, and my father offered him the suite ofrooms left vacant by my grandfather. Lord William appeared to berich; he brought over an immense quantity of luggage, and paid rightroyally for any service rendered him. I believe, indeed, he had aprivate agreement with my father about the housekeeping expenses, though neither of them ever told me so. Now a housekeeper was engagedto assist me in the management of the house, and yet it was withthe greatest difficulty that I could adapt myself to the dutiesof mistress of such an establishment. The presence of our visitor, however, greatly aided in reconciling me to my position. 

"Lord William (I never knew his family name) was a man of letters, and had had a very valuable and expensive library sent over for hisuse. Moreover, he was highly gifted with the faculty of communicatinghis knowledge to others in a pleasant and agreeable manner. He was anenthusiastic lover of art and poetry; he could read and even speakseveral modern languages, and was passionately fond of antiquitiesand ancient history. He knew--what we were all ignorant of--that thelibrary of our own small town possessed works of inestimable value onthese subjects, and I think this was his reason for choosing it ashis place of sojourn on the Continent. At all events he made greatuse of the library. You may understand my surprise at seeing a man, evidently of high rank, who cared neither for hunting nor noisypleasures of any kind, and who declared the happiest moments of hislife to be those spent in his study, and yet withal he was a perfectgentleman and man of the world. The gentlemen said he was ugly;the ladies were silent on that point, but appeared delighted withthe slightest attention he paid them. I thought he bore a strikingresemblance to our Stadtholder William III. , though less pale. He hada high forehead, strongly marked features, and dark eyes, which madeyou think of the piercing regard of the eagle. "

"Had he also the beak?" I asked, growing impatient. 

"I have told you he was like William III. (of England), " she replied, looking at me in astonishment; "his nose was curved sharply. But notto detain you too long, I will at once confess he exercised a powerfulinfluence over me for good. I soon discovered that my manners weredispleasing to him, and that he evinced towards me a compassionatesympathy, as if he regretted the sad turn my tastes had taken. Oneday I overheard him ask my father why he did not take me out intosociety. He gave as a reason my wild and brusque manners, and thekind of society to be found in a small town like ours. Lord Williamwas not a man to be easily discouraged. He spoke to me privatelyabout my previous life, and put all sorts of questions to me aboutmy education. I told him everything, in my own way, without tryingto hide any of the particulars from him. 

"'Do you like reading?' he asked me. 

"'Not at all, ' I answered. 'I like society, men and action. '

"'But any one who does not read, and read much, becomes idiotic, and makes but a poor figure in society. '

"'If that's the case, tell me what I ought to read. '

"'I cannot answer your question right away; but, if you are willing, we will read together and try to make up for lost time. '"

CHAPTER XXIV. 

"And so it was settled. He undertook to educate me and to form mytastes. He soon made me acquainted with the masterpieces of German andFrench literature, and discovered to me the beauties of the classicsin his own language; and I learnt from him most assiduously thatwhich Dr. Darkins never could have taught me----"

"And so well, that you fell in love with each other!" I interrupted, giving way to a movement of anger. 

"Not exactly; but if you interrupt in that way I shall lose the threadof my narrative. It is at your desire I recount to you the story ofmy past life; and how much wiser would you be if I were to compressit into a sentence like this for instance: 'Lord William came to ourhouse in the autumn, and left us the following spring'?"

"Without having become your fiancé?" I said in agony. 

"Without having become my fiancé, " she answered in a dry, cold tone. 

I was angry with myself. I had only too plainly shown that I wasjealous of the praise lavished on this stranger. And what right hadI to be jealous?

She was the first to break the silence which ensued. 

"Leopold, " she said, "I perceive that this account of the events ofmy youth is anything but agreeable to you. If you had left us as Iwished you to do this morning, I should not now be wearying you withmy recollections of the past. "

"Believe me, Francis, I have remained on purpose to listen to them;I promise not to interrupt you again if you will continue. "

"Well then, now I will confess to you that I loved Lord William withall the strength of a first love, and with all that innocency of ayoung heart which does not yet even know that the passion which swaysit is love. I soon found that Lord William was dearer to me than allthe world beside, and that my chief delight was to obey him in allthings, to consult him on all occasions, and to accompany him when andwherever it was possible. I even found means to interest myself in hisarchæological researches. I translated for him Dutch documents whichformerly I would not have taken the trouble to read. Besides, findingthat, like most men, he was fond of a good dinner, I took care to havesuch dishes prepared as I knew to be to his liking. I began to payattention to my dress, because he himself, without going to extremesor exceeding the bounds of good taste, was always well dressed. Heintroduced me into the society of our small town, and I felt vexedevery time he paid the least attention to another lady, though I tookcare not to let him see it. We also gave dinners and received company, and the ladies were greatly astonished at the manner in which MajorFrank played the hostess. The winter was drawing to a close, and ithad been settled that, on the first fine day which offered, we shouldall make an excursion to the Werve. My grandfather had returned tothe garrison, and I was soon aware he disapproved of my sentimentstowards Lord William. And it was not long before I knew the reason why. 

"One fine spring morning I was sitting on the balcony with a book inmy hand, when I heard my grandfather and father, who sat on a benchunderneath, speaking of Lord William and myself in terms which excitedmy curiosity. 

"Grandfather, in a very bad humour, said: 'She is always parading himabout, and he pays no attentions to anybody but her. In your place, I should ask him to declare his intentions, and then the engagementcan be publicly announced. '

"My father burst out in a loud laugh. 

"'Major, ' he said, 'what are you thinking of? William, whose intentionsare perfectly honest, was at school with me; he is only two or threeyears my junior, and Francis has not completed her seventeenth year. '

"'What does that matter? He does not look much over thirty, and Itell you she's madly in love with him. How is it possible you havenever perceived it yourself?'

"'Bless me, Major!' cried my father, 'you must know that William ismarried; and, moreover, I am very grateful to him for acting the partof mentor to Francis; indeed she had need of one!'

"'In truth, Sir John, either you are too simple, or you indulge aconfidence in your friend I cannot approve of. '

"'You would have the same confidence in him that I have, if you knewhim as well. He is every inch a gentleman, sir, and if I hinted theslightest suspicion he would leave the house instantly. And, besides, he is generous, very generous--I am deeply indebted to him. His staywith us is almost at its close. He must return to London to presideat the meeting of some society of antiquarians of which he is thepresident. The disagreeable affair which obliged him to come tothe Continent is almost arranged. He was afraid of a lawsuit whichwould have caused much scandal in high life, but the mediators arenow hopeful of success. His wife, who is travelling in the South withhis relations, has written him a very humble letter, imploring him toforget and to forgive. He has told me his mind is not yet quite madeup, but that he has a great repugnance to a divorce; probably then----'

"Hereupon the two speakers got up and walked away into the garden. Asfor myself, I remained for a long time leaning against the balustrade, immovable as a statue of stone. When I found myself quite alone, I could not suppress a cry of grief. Yes, my grandfather had readme! I loved--I loved with passion, and all at once I discovered mypassion to be a crime. And he, had he not deceived me by leaving me inignorance of what it was most important for me to know? Ought he not tohave foreseen the danger into which he was leading me by his kind andaffectionate treatment? Without doubt he felt himself invulnerable;without doubt he still loved his absent wife. It is true that withhis kind manners he always maintained a certain reserve with me; once, indeed, and once only, he had kissed my hand with marks of tendernessfor some attention or other I had shown him. That night I could notsleep for joy; on the morrow, however, he resumed his habitual reserve. 

"My first idea was to go and reproach him to his face for what Iconsidered his deception towards me; but he was not at home, andwould not return before dinner. At table I could not help showinghim how much my feelings towards him had changed. This he observed, and when the other gentlemen lit their cigars after dinner, insteadof following me to the drawing-room, as was his wont, he took a cigarand stayed with them. I remembered that I could smoke also, and Ifollowed his example. I saw him frown; he threw away his cigar, andinvited me to go with him to his study. This was just what I wanted. 

"'What is the matter with you, Miss Francis?' he asked. 'I cannotunderstand the reason for this change in your behaviour towards me. '

"'On a little reflection, my lord, you will easily discover thereason. You know how much I love plain-speaking. '

"'Very good. '

"'What can I think of you when I hear from other people that youare married?'

"I saw he grew pale, but he answered with great coldness--

"'Has Sir John only just told you that? and why to-day above allothers?'

"'Sir John has told me nothing; I have heard it by accident. Byaccident, you understand, my lord, and now I think I have the rightto hear from your own lips more particulars about your wife. '

"He drew back some paces; his features became so contracted under anexpression of violent suffering that I myself was afraid. For a timehe was silent, pacing up and down the room; and finally he said to me, with a mingling of sadness and discontent--

"'I am sorry, Francis, but I did not think the time had arrivedwhen I could give you such a mark of confidence. There is too muchof bitterness in your tone for me to suppose your question arisesout of an interest in my sorrows, and only those who have such aninterest have a claim to my explanations. Is it a young girl likeyou that I should choose out by preference, in whom to confide thesad secrets of my unhappy marriage? And how could I begin to speakabout a subject on the termination of which I am still in doubt?'

"'And it never occurred to you, my lord, that there might be a dangerin leaving me ignorant of your marriage?'

"'No, certainly not. I came here to divert my thoughts from mytroubles, and to seek solace--which I have found--in my favouritestudies. I made your acquaintance in the house of your father, whoreceived me hospitably; and I thought I perceived your education hadbeen neglected, nay, that even a false turn had been given to yourideas. This I have tried to remedy and I must acknowledge you havegratefully appreciated and seconded my efforts; but it does not followthat I ought to acquaint you with all my personal affairs and allmy griefs and troubles. I fled from England to escape the condolenceof my friends and the raillery of my adversaries. I wished to avoida lawsuit in which my name--a name of some renown in England--wouldhave been exposed to the comments of a public ever hungering afterscandal. Could I have talked to you on such a subject? It would havecast a gloom over the golden dreams of your youth, and rendered theautumn of my life still more cloudy!'

"'The clouds surrounding you, my lord, must be pretty thick already, 'I replied, exasperated by his cool manner, 'to prevent your seeingthat my ignorance of your marriage has caused me to embark on a sea ofillusions, where in the spring-time of life I shall suffer shipwreck. '

"A movement of fright escaped him. I broke forth in complaints andreproaches; he fell back on a divan and covered his face with hishands. He protested he had never guessed at such an idea, never evensuspected anything of the sort. Afterwards, when I had eased my mindand was sitting sobbing before him, he recovered himself, and comingover to me he said, in his usual calm and affectionate tone--

"'My child, there is much exaggeration in all you have told me. Yourimagination has been struck, and you have suffered it to carry youaway, so that you believe all you say now; but I can assure you, youare mistaken. You are impressionable, susceptible, but too young tounderstand the real passion of love. At your age, young girls havevery often some little love affair with the engaging young dancerthey met at the last ball. You, who have been kept out of society onaccount of the masculine education you had received, have known nosuch temptations; but perhaps for this very reason you were the moreexposed to illusions of another kind, which I confess I ought to haveforeseen, namely, that of falling in love with the first gentlemanwho showed you more than the usual attentions of common civility. Ihappen to be this man. We have read several plays of Shakespearetogether. Every young girl may imagine herself a Juliet; but thatis no reason why she should imagine her teacher to be a Romeo. Now, seriously, Francis, could you take me for your Romeo? Look at me, and consider how ridiculous any such pretension on my part wouldbe. I am about the same age as your father; I am turning gray; Ishould also be as stout, but for a disease which threatens me withconsumption. All this is far from poetic, is it not? Exercise yourreason, your good sense, and you will be the first to acknowledgethat I am most unfitted to become the hero of a love affair. '

"I was silent; I felt as if some one were pouring ice down my back. Heapproached me, and laying his hand on my shoulder, with the greatestgentleness said--

"'I was married one year before your father, and though I have nochildren, I might have had a daughter of your age. I had accustomedmyself, gradually, to regard you as my own daughter; you deprive meof this pleasure, for the present at least, though I am sure you willone day recover from your folly. It is your head which is affected, not your heart, believe me, for I have had experience in the depths ofabasement to which the passions may lead a woman who has not energyenough to overcome them. If I had a son--I have only a nephew, whowill be heir to my title and property--and if----"

"'Thank you, my lord, I could never address you as my uncle!' andI burst out in an hysterical laugh. There was a beautiful editionof Shakespeare lying on the table, a present from him; I took it upand tore it leaf from leaf, scattering them about the room. At thesame instant my maid knocked at the door; she came to remind me itwas time to dress for the ball. We had accepted invitations for thisevening to the house of a banker, one of the most prominent men in ourprovince. My pride having been touched to the quick, I determined toseek solace in the wildest excitement. I flirted with the only sonof this banker, who all through the winter had been very attentiveto me. I felt much pleasure in showing Lord William how easily Icould forget him; but my eyes were all the while furtively followinghim to see the effect my conduct might produce. He remained calm andcool as ever. After a while he seated himself at the card-table, andlost a considerable sum of money to my grandfather. On the morrow, I perceived preparations were being made for his departure in allhaste. Lord William had received the letters he had so long expected, and seemed to have no time to notice me. I became transported withpassion, when my father told me at luncheon that the banker's son hadasked permission to wait upon me in the course of the afternoon. Youcan understand my rage. 'What a falling-off was there!'--from LordWilliam to a Charles Felters!

"I answered my father that I would not speak to the simpleton. 

"'You must!' he replied, in a tone of authority I was little accustomedto in Sir John. 'You have given the young man encouragement, and youhad better reflect on the consequences of refusing such a good offer. '"

CHAPTER XXV. 

"Poor Charles Felters was quite thunderstruck at the receptionI gave him. His gay partner of last evening's dance had changedinto a veritable fury. I told him plainly I didn't care a jot forhim. He hesitated, he stammered, and couldn't make up his mind togo. I was expecting Lord William every moment to take leave of me, and I would not have them meet. In my confusion my eyes rested on a'trophy of arms' with which my father had decorated one side of theroom. Scarcely knowing what I was about, I seized a foil, handed itto my would-be lover, and taking another myself, I took up my positionon guard, exclaiming--

"'The man who wins my love shall win it with the sword. '

"The miserable ninny never even observed that the foils were buttoned, but, throwing down his, rushed out of the room in the greatest alarm. "

"I have heard of this feat of arms, Francis, " I said, laughing;"and, moreover, that Felters is still running away from you. "

"'Voilà comme on écrit l'histoire. ' I have myself heard he made avoyage round the world to escape from me; but the truth is he onlymade a tour up the Rhine, fell in with the daughter of a clergyman, and married her. She has made him a happy man, and he is now thefather of a family; nevertheless, all his relations bear me the mostintense hatred, and lose no opportunity of serving me a maliciousturn. I still held my foil in my hand when Lord William entered theroom. His look was sufficient to show me his disapprobation. 

"'If your father had taken my advice, Francis, ' he said, 'he wouldhave waited some little time before informing you of the intentions ofFelters; still there was no reason for your acting in this way. Forshame to treat a poor fellow, who perhaps never had a foil in hishand before, in such a manner. But, well! I have always hesitatedabout putting you to the test; permit me now, however, to take theplace of the miserable fugitive. '

"And without waiting for an answer he picked up Felters' foil, and cried--

"'En garde!'

"I literally did not know what I was doing. I would not declinehis challenge, and I determined to show him that he was not fencingwith an inexperienced girl. He handled his foil with a lightness andfirmness of hand I had little expected to find in a man of letters, confining himself, however, to parrying my attacks only; and yet thishe did so skilfully that I was unable to touch him. I exhausted myselfin my desperate efforts, but I would not ask for quarter. 

"'You see such exercise requires more than the arm of a woman, 'he said coolly. 

"My wild despair and anger seemed to give me strength, and fallingin upon him I broke my foil upon his breast. He, with a smile, hadneglected to parry this attack, and I saw a thin stream of bloodtrickle down his shirt-front. Now I was overwhelmed with sorrow andrepentance. Sir John and grandfather immediately came upon the scene. 

"'It is nothing, gentlemen, ' he said to them, 'only a scratch;a little satisfaction which I owed to Miss Francis, and which willperhaps cure her of her taste for such unladylike weapons. '

"'I will never, never more touch them, ' I cried in terror when I sawhis pocket-handkerchief, which he had applied to the wound, saturatedwith blood. 

"And I have kept my word, though it has not prevented my obtaininga wide reputation as a duellist. Neither Charles Felters nor theservant of Lord William could hold their tongues, though the latterhad been forbidden by his master to say a word on the subject. I wasreminded very unpleasantly, next time I appeared in the town, thatthe affair had become public property. Lord William would not allow usto send for a surgeon, but had the wound dressed by his own servant;and, fortunately, it turned out to be less dangerous than I fearedat first. I sought my own room, and hid myself there with all theremorse of a Cain. I resolved to throw myself at his feet and beg hispardon. But the reaction to my excited state of feelings had now setin, and I fell exhausted on a sofa, where I slept for several hoursa feverish kind of sleep. When I awoke Lord William was gone. Afterthis I was seriously ill; and on my recovery my grandfather took meas soon as possible to the Werve for the fresh country air. Sir Johntold me, when I was quite well, that Lord William had certainly givenproof of his good-nature to allow me to touch him; for while at Etonhe had been considered one of the best fencers in the school, andjust before quitting England he had fought a duel with an officer inthe Horse Guards, and wounded him in a manner that report said waslikely to be fatal. 

"My answer to this was that I had never suspected Lord William ofbeing a duellist. 

"'That he never was; but in this instance his honour was at stake. Hecould not leave the insult of this captain unpunished. Perhaps, however, he would have acted more justly if he had put his wifeto death; and though an English jury would certainly have broughthim in guilty of murder, yet, considering the great provocation hehad received, public opinion would have sympathized with him in thehighest degree. Now he is reconciled to her again, at least in outwardappearance; but he has written to me that he is going to make a tourall over the world. '"

"And you have never since heard of this 'My lord?'" I asked Francis, to whose story I had listened with as much sorrow as attention. 

"Never; and I don't even know his family name to this day. Changes nowfollowed in rapid succession. My father died suddenly; my grandfatherwas promoted in rank, and we removed to Zutphen, where I proposedto begin a new life. But though we break with our antecedents, it isimpossible to sponge out the past. However, more of this hereafter. Imust attend to the other gentlemen, otherwise I shall be accused ofneglecting my duties. I will tell you more of this history at anothertime if it interests you; for it is a relief to me to confide it toa friend. Only never begin the subject yourself, as there are momentswhen I cannot bear to think of it. "

"I promise you this, Francis, " I replied, pressing her hand. 

It would be impossible for me to recount all the feelings which passedthrough my mind in listening to Francis's trials. I will not weary you, dear William, for I acknowledge I felt sad and irritable. And yet Itried to think these were her "campaign years, " as she calls them, though it was evident her heart had suffered long before she attainedher twenty-fifth birthday. If she had told me of deception, so commonin the world, of an engagement broken off, of a misplaced affection, such things would not have troubled my peace of mind. What affectedme was to think this Englishman had won the place in her affectionswhich I wished to be the first to occupy--that place which permitsa man to inspire a woman with confidence, and exercise over her aninfluence authoritative and beneficial. Time had done much to coolher love for him, but she had not forgotten him; and it was certainlya devotion to his memory which rendered her so indifferent to themerits of other men. I wondered if she had told me all this historyin order to make me comprehend the improbability of my being ableto replace her ideal. Had she not told me on the heath, on our firstmeeting, that if she suspected I came to demand her hand in marriage, she would leave me there and then? I felt myself diminishing in herestimation. And there was a portrait of William III. Hanging overthe mantelpiece which seemed to say to me, ironically, "Too late, too late!"

Yet again I asked myself whether I was not growing jealous of a vainshadow. Eight years had passed since these events. She was no longer alittle girl, who could imagine she saw a Romeo in her mentor who was along way on the wrong side of forty. Who could say that the comparison, which she could not fail to make now, would be to my disadvantage?

I determined not to remain in this perplexity. At the risk ofcommitting an imprudence, I made up my mind to ask her whether sheregarded the loss of her Lord William as irreparable. It was necessaryfor me to know what chance of success was left me. 

This night I slept little, for I was rolling over in my mind allsorts of extravagant declarations which I intended to make to mycousin next day. This, however, was the day preceding the General'sbirthday, and Francis was fully occupied with the Captain in makingall sorts of preparations; so that during the whole day I never oncecould find a suitable moment to begin the subject. The master of thevillage school would bring up to the Castle his best pupils to reciteverses made for the occasion; the clergyman and the notables wouldalso come to offer their congratulations. 

Francis sent me to the post-office to fetch a registered letter forher. [4] General von Zwenken was in a bad humour because Rolf had notime to amuse him, and finding myself rather in the way I went offto my room to write. 

Here in the afternoon I found on my table a little Russian leathercase, on which my initials had been embroidered above the wordSouvenir. Inside I found a bank-note equivalent to the sum Francis hadborrowed of me; on the envelope which inclosed it she had written, in a bold hand, the word Merci, her name, and the date. The caseitself was not new. Poor dear girl! she must have sat up half thenight to work my initials in silk, as a surprise. I now felt morethan ever how dear she was become to me, and I promised myself notto temporize any longer. Then the idea occurred to me: If I can gether permission, I will ask her hand of the General to-morrow afterI have congratulated him on his birthday. 

This idea threw me into a transport of joy. I got up from my chairwith the intention of seeking my cousin and bringing matters to acrisis at any risk. My hand was already on the handle of the door, when I thought I heard a tap at the window. Immediately a hoarsevoice called several times--

"Francis! Francis!"

Astonished, and wishing to know who this could be, I stoodmotionless. The voice cried again--

"Francis, if you don't open the window I will break the sash allto pieces. "

CHAPTER XXVI. 

As, for very good reasons, Francis gave no answer, a vigorous armforced open the window, and a man sprang into the room, seeminglyquite indifferent about any damage he might have caused. 

"What is your business with Miss Mordaunt?" I asked, advancing towardsthe intruder. 

"A stranger here?" he answered, with an expression of surprise;"I thought they never had visitors now. "

"I think the manner of your entrance is much more astonishing, andI am the person surprised. "

"Well, yes, my entrance is somewhat irregular, " he replied, in themost familiar style possible; "however, Mr. Unknown, I am neither athief nor a housebreaker. I have entered in this way because I wishedno one but Francis to know of my arrival, and I was sure I should findher here; but, now I am here, allow me to rest myself whilst I reflecta little upon the best means of obtaining an interview with her. "

And he threw himself at full length on the old sofa, which creakedunder his weight. 

"Ah! ah!" he continued, examining the walls, "the family portraitsare gone--eaten away, no doubt, by the moths and the damp. "

It was quite clear to me the stranger was not here for the firsttime. Though his manners were free, there was something gentlemanlyin his personal appearance. Still his dress was fantastic. He worea short velvet jacket with metal buttons, and a silk handkerchiefloosely tied around his neck; tight trousers of a grey pearl colour, and polished riding-boots with spurs, and a soft felt hat. 

"You've got nothing to drink here?" he asked, after a pause of someminutes. "I have ridden for three hours, and my throat is almostchoked with sand and dust. "

He spoke Dutch with a foreign accent. His age seemed to be about fifty, though he might be younger. His lively, active features were never atrest for a moment; his greenish-grey eyes, the fine wrinkles on hishigh sunburnt forehead, and the paleness of his cheeks, all markedhim as the adventurer endued with strong passions--an impressionthat was increased by his thick-set face, large nose, and the tuftedmustachios hanging over his thick, sensual lips. I could not refusehim a glass of water, unwelcome as I found his presence. As I handedit to him I said--

"You seem to know this house well. "

"Yes, and that's no wonder; I played many a prank here in myboyhood. But you, sir, who are you? An adjutant of the Colonel's, or a protégé of Francis's?"

"I think I have the best right to question you, and to ask whoyou are?"

"That's true enough; and I would tell you with pleasure, but it's asecret which concerns others besides myself. Call me Mr. Smithson--it'sthe name I am known by at present. "

"Very well. Now what is your business here, Mr. Smithson?"

"I wish you to tell Francis I am here. "

"Do you think the news will be agreeable to her?" I demanded. 

"I cannot say, but she will come all the same. "

"Here, into my room?"

"Bah! our Major Frank is no prude. "

"Mr. Smithson, I give you fair warning that if you say a single wordderogatory to the character of Miss Mordaunt, I shall instantly makeyou take the same way out of this room by which you entered it. "

"Oh! oh! Mr. Unknown, I am a first-rate boxer. But easy, man, easy! For I should be the last person in the world to say an offensiveword about Francis. Now, since you know her, you ought to be awarethat she would never refuse to assist a person in distress out of asense of prudery. Just you ask her to come here to see--not Smithson, because she does not know me under that name, but a relation of hers, who calls himself Rudolf. "

"And if she refuses to come?"

"Oh, you make too many difficulties. Ah! is it possible you areher----I should have thought Francis Mordaunt more capable ofcommanding a batalion than of bowing herself under the yoke ofmarriage. But, after all, women do change their minds. Then you arethe happy mortal?"

"A truce to your suppositions, " I answered him in a firm voice;"I am here as a relation, a grand-nephew of the General's; my nameis Leopold van Zonshoven. "

"Well, upon my word! Probably we are cousins, for I am also related tothe General. Francis will not refuse to come, I assure you--especiallyif you tell her that I do not come to ask for money; on the contrary, I bring some with me. "

Hereupon he drew from his pocket a purse containing a number of clean, new greenbacks. 

"Tell her what you have seen; it will set her mind at ease, andpossibly yours also--for you seem as yet only half-and-half convincedthat I am not a highwayman. "

I no longer hesitated; but took the precaution to lock my door onthe outside, lest he should follow me, and surprise Francis beforeI had warned her. Having reached her room I knocked gently, and sheanswered "Come in. " It was the first time I had penetrated so far, and I began in a serious tone--

"Something very singular has happened, my dear cousin----"

"It is not an accident you come to announce to me, I hope?" sheexclaimed. 

"No, but a visit which will not prove agreeable, I am afraid. "

"A visit at this time of the day! Who is it?"

"A person who says he is a relation of the family, and refuses togive any name but that of Rudolf. "

She knit her eyebrows. 

"Good heavens! Unfortunate man! Here again!"

I explained to her how he had forced his way in at the window, andoffered to make him retrace his steps if she desired it. 

"No, there must be no disturbance, " she said, in a state ofagitation. "My grandfather must not even suspect he is here. I willgo with you, Leopold; this once you must excuse me if I do anythingyou consider in bad form. How dare he show his face here? I can donothing more for him. You will stand by me, won't you?"

I took her hand and led her to my room. Rudolf lay on the sofa, fastasleep. When he saw Francis standing before him, he jumped up as ifto embrace her, but she drew back. He did not seem hurt, but he losthis tone of assurance. 

"I understand, Francis, that my return is not a joyful surpriseto you. "

"You have broken your promise. You gave me your word of honour youwould stay in America. At any rate, you ought never to have set footin your native country again----"

"Don't judge me without having heard----"

"Is it not tempting fortune to come back here to the Werve, whereyou may so easily be recognized?"

"Oh, don't make yourself uneasy on that score, my dear. I have takenprecautions; and as for breaking my promise, I beg your pardon on mybended knees. "

And he made a gesture as if he would fall on his knees before her. 

"Don't be theatrical, " she said severely, and again retreated somesteps from him. 

"Heaven forbid! On the boards, to gain a livelihood, it is anotherthing; but in your presence, before you, Francis, whom I honour andlove, I wish to justify my conduct. You may condemn me afterwards, ifyou like. It was really my intention never to appear before your eyesagain. Alas! man is but the puppet of fortune, and I have not been ableto swim against the stream. I have had all sorts of adventures--butcan I tell you all now?" he added, looking significantly at me. "Totell you the truth, I had reckoned on our being alone. "

"Stay, Leopold, " she said, in answer to an inquiring look I gave her. 

"Francis, " resumed Rudolf, with tears in his eyes, "you know you needno protector where I am. "

"I know that, but I will not again expose myself to calumny for yoursake. As for your security, Rudolf, I can answer for my cousin VanZonshoven's discretion. You may tell him who you are without fear. "

"It is a question of life and death, " he said in French, with a mostindifferent shrug of the shoulders, and he again stretched himself atfull length on the sofa. "The least indiscretion, and my life will beforfeited. What of that? I run the risk of breaking my neck every day. "

And then, turning towards me, he began to sing, or rather to tryto sing, with a voice quite hoarse, and with a theatrical pose, the following lines out of the opera "The Bride of Lammermoor"--

 "Sache donc qu'en ce domaine D'où me chasse encor ta haine, En seigneur j'ai commandé. 

At least, " he put in, "during the absence of the Baron, for I washeir-presumptive--a presumption which, alas! is destined never to bechanged into certitude----"

Francis, visibly affected by his jesting style, interrupted him, and said to me--

"Rudolf von Zwenken, my grandfather's only son. "

"It would cost my charming niece too great an effort to say 'Myuncle. ' It is my own fault. I have never been able to inspire peoplewith the necessary respect for me. Well, now, Cousin van Zonshoven, you know who I am, but there is one point I must rectify: Rudolf vonZwenken no longer exists--he is civilly dead. "

"And morally, " murmured Francis. 

"And if he were to rise again under that name, " he continued, without heeding Francis's interruption, "he would commit somethinglike suicide, for he would be arrested and shot. "

"And knowing that, after all that has been done to put you beyonddanger, you show yourself in this place again! It is inexplicable, "cried Francis. 

"But, my dear, who told you I had come to show myself here? It istrue we give representations in the provinces; but the person whoappears in public is Mr. Smithson, so well begrimed that Baron vonZwenken himself would not recognize his own son. "

"That's very fortunate, for it would be the death of him, " retortedFrancis, harshly. 

"How you exaggerate, dearest. Monsieur mon pere never had so muchaffection for me. He shall never know Mr. Smithson. His son Rudolf, however, seeks an interview with him, and requests you, Francis, to assist in bringing it about. "

"It is useless, sir; you may neither see nor speak to your fatheragain. "

"Can you be so hard-hearted, Francis?"

"My duty obliges me, and I must have some regard for the feelings ofyour father in the first place. "

"But, my dear child, try to understand me. I only wish to kiss hishand and beg his pardon. With this object I have run all risks, andimposed on myself all kinds of fatigue. I have just ridden hard forthree hours, hidden myself in the old ruins, climbed the garden wallat the risk of breaking an arm or a leg; then, seeing a light here, I broke in--and all this for nothing! No, my darling, this cannotbe; you will still be my good angel, and arrange the meeting I somuch desire----"

"I say No; and you know when I have once said a thing I mean it. "

CHAPTER XXVII. 

Rudolf, after a pause, began once more--

"You have a good heart, Francis. Ah! I know your reasons. You think Iam returned again like the prodigal son, with an empty purse, 'aftereating of the husks which the swine did eat. ' It is just the contrary. "

"Don't be profane, Rudolf, " said Francis, severely. 

"But it is true--I bring money with me, over two hundred dollars inclean greenbacks, as a commencement of restitution, an earnest ofmy reform. What do you think my father would say if he found themto-morrow morning on his pillow? Don't you think he would receive mewith open arms?"

"No, Rudolf, certainly not. You have broken your word of honour, and for this your father will never forgive you. Don't talk ofrestitution. What is this sum in comparison with what you havecost him, and all the suffering you have caused him and me? Suchsacrifices as we had made gave us the right to hope you would leaveus in peace--forget us. "

Rudolf bowed down his head and heaved a deep sigh. I could not helppitying the unfortunate man. I should have liked to say somethingin his favour; but the cold, haughty, nay, contemptuous attitude ofFrancis seemed to impose silence on me. There must be some reason, I felt sure, for her inexorable severity; consequently I remained apassive spectator. 

At length Rudolf roused himself from his despondency, drank off a glassof water, and, turning towards Francis, said in his most serious tone--

"Just listen, Miss Mordaunt. It appears to me that, under the pretextof acting as guardian to my father, you oppose a reconciliation betweenus, without even consulting his wishes; and it is strange that a niece, a granddaughter only, should usurp the position of the eldest son, and refuse to listen to the returning prodigal. "

"Don't talk to me about your prodigal son, " cried Francis, angrily;"you are not the prodigal son. It is only a passing whim, and you willbe carried away again to-morrow by some new idea as you always were. "

"Don't you be afraid you will lose anything by it, " he said in abitter tone; "you know I shall never lay claim to my father's property, even though we were reconciled. "

"Must I then be suspected of cupidity, and by you indeed!" exclaimedFrancis, in the greatest indignation. 

"I should never accuse you of anything of the sort. On the contrary, I am only too sensible of your generosity. I only mentioned this toset you at ease about any consequences which might result from myreconciliation with my father. To the world I am Richard Smithson, American citizen; but let me have the pleasure of being for the fewminutes I stay here Rudolf von Zwenken, who would speak to his oldfather once more, and take a last farewell of him. How can you opposesuch a desire?"

"Your last farewells signify nothing; you always come back again. "

"But if, in spite of your opposition, I go at once and seek my fatherin the large drawing-room--I have not forgotten my way about thehouse--who shall hinder me?"

"Do as you like; only I warn you you will find Rolf, who knows you, with grandfather; and Rolf knows his orders, which he will carry outlike an old soldier. "

"The devil take Rolf! What's the old ruffian doing here?" spitefullyexclaimed Rudolf. 

"The old ruffian does all he can to cheer the declining years of yourfather, whom you have rendered unhappy by your conduct. "

"My misery would not be complete without your contumely, " sobbedRudolf. "I came here so cheerful and well disposed. "

"Mr. Rudolf, " I said, "allow me to arrange an interview for you withthe General, since Miss Mordaunt declines. "

"Don't you trouble yourself, Jonker van Zonshoven, " retorted Francis, in her most cold and haughty tone. "I do not decline, but I knowit is impossible, and therefore better to say nothing. Rudolf wellremembers I threw myself at the feet of my grandfather, and besoughthim not to send his son into exile unforgiven, and it only addedto the pain and sorrow of the scene. Don't forget, either, that youyourself caused the report of your death to be spread abroad. The oldman believed it, and I have since heard him say it was a comfort tohim. His fears lest you should be arrested, tried, and condemned, were only set at rest when he heard the news. Would you renew hisdistress, and put him to these tortures again?"

"It is true, too true--you are right, " said Rudolf, quite breakingdown. 

"But you shall not leave the house without some refreshment, " returnedFrancis in a kind tone, now she felt her victory to be certain; "Iwill go and fetch you something to eat immediately. Cousin Leopoldwill allow you to have supper and to repose yourself in his room. "

Whereupon she left the room, and I was left alone with this singularcousin of mine. 

"Bah!" he said, "our Major is not to be trifled with. What eyes shegave me! I felt as if she would pierce me through and through; andyet she has a good heart--there's not one in a thousand like her. "

"I think she might have shown a little more of its tenderness towardsa relation, " I interposed. 

"What shall I say? She knows only my evil deeds as she has heardthem recounted by my father. When chance or misfortune has thrown ustwo together, it has always been under circumstances which couldnot dispose her in my favour. I have cost her both trouble andmoney--nay, I even fear her reputation has been called in question onmy account. When I was in trouble she came to my assistance, regardlessof what public gossip might say. It was at Zutphen. My father's doorwas shut upon me. She agreed to meet me in a lane outside the town, a public promenade little frequented at certain hours of the day--infact, very seldom except on Sundays. But we were discovered; certainidlers took it into their heads to play the spy on us, and Heavenonly knows what sort of reports they set flying about the town. Thegenerous girl had pawned her diamonds in order to assist me, unknownto her grandfather. This act of devotion was of course interpreted toher disadvantage. You may think it would be more noble on her partnot to remind me of what she has suffered when she sees me again;but, my dear sir, a perfect woman is as scarce a thing as a horsewithout a defect. Though she were to scratch and to bite me, I wouldstill bow my head in submission to her----"

The entrance of Francis with a bottle of wine, bread and meat, &c. , interrupted what he had to say further. He attacked the eatables witha most voracious appetite. 

When he had somewhat allayed his hunger, he began--

"Francis, my darling, where am I to pass the night? I cannot gointo that part of the house occupied by the General and Rolf, that'scertain. I would go into the stable and sleep in the hay, but thatI am afraid the coachman might recognize me. "

"We have no coachman now, " replied Francis, quite pale. 

"What! You have sent away Harry Blount?"

"Harry Blount is dead. "

"Dead! Why he would scarcely be thirty years of age. I taught him toride----but Francis, my angel, you are quite pale; have you also soldyour beautiful English saddle-horse?"

"No, Tancredo is stabled at farmer Pauwelsen's; but it is therecollection of Harry Blount which causes me to turn pale. I--it isdreadful--I was the cause of his death. "

"Nonsense; come, come! In a moment of passion?" (here he made thegesture of a man who horse-whips another). "I did so more than once, but that does not kill a man--and you will not have murdered him. "

"Nevertheless, I was the cause of the brave fellow's death. It occurredduring a carriage drive. We had sold the beautiful greys----"

"What! that splendid pair. My poor father!"

"We had a new horse which we wished to run with the only one leftus. Harry wanted to try them himself for the first time, but I tookit into my head I would drive them. I got on the box by his side, seized the reins, and, as soon as we were on a piece of level road, they went like the wind. I was proud of my skill, and was rejoicingin my triumph; but still Harry shook his head, and recommended meto be prudent. The sky became clouded, and a thunderstorm threatenedus. In my folly, I urged the horses on still faster, though they werealready taking the bits between their teeth. Harry became alarmed, and tried to take the reins out of my hands; but I resisted, andwould not give them up. In an instant the thunder began to roll, and lightning struck right across our way; the horses took fright andbegan to rear on their hind-legs. Blount jumped off the box to go totheir heads, but tripped, and they passed over his body. In despair, I also jumped from the box at the risk of my life, and the violenceof the shock caused me to swoon. When I was again conscious, I sawthe unfortunate Blount lying on the road, crushed, with scarcely abreath of life left in him. Within an hour he was a corpse. "

Here Francis burst into tears, and covered her face. 

"It is a pity, Francis, a great pity, " replied Rudolf. "For yoursake, I would that I had been the victim of this accident rather thanBlount. You would have had one burden less to bear. Don't take it soto heart, my child. I have seen others fall from their horses neverto rise again alive. What can we do? Wait till our turn comes, andnot make life miserable by thinking too much about it. But, " said he, "you have not yet told me where I am to sleep. Must I go back to theruin? It is a cold place, and doubly so when I think of the parentalcastle close by. "

"The truth is, I cannot offer you a room, Rudolf. There is not onesuitable for the purpose. "

"But why cannot Rudolf share mine?" I asked; "I will give up my bedto him. "

"No, " he replied quickly; "I will be content with the sofa, if Franciswill consent to my staying here. "

"Very well, " she answered; "only you must promise that to-morrow, before daybreak, you will be far away. It is your father's birthday, and there will be many visitors at the Castle. "

"I will start early, I promise you, Francis. "

"Well, I will once more trust to your word of honour. And nowgood-bye. It is time for me to go; otherwise my absence will beremarked upon by the gentlemen of the house. "

"Take this purse, Francis; it is a little commencement of restitution;I would I could offer you more, but I have not yet become a veritableYankee uncle. I have not discovered a gold mine. Accept at least whatI can return to you. "

And he spread out the American greenbacks before her. 

"Are they real ones, Rudolf?" she asked in a grave tone. 

"By heavens, Francis, what do you mean by such a question? Ihave committed many follies in my life--I have been a fool, ane'er-do-weel, a spendthrift, I am a deserter--but a forger of falsebank-notes! Francis, could you suspect me of such infamy?"

"I wish I had only suspicions, Rudolf; unfortunately I have theproofs. "

"The proofs!" he cried, in a sorrowful tone of voice; "but that'simpossible. "

"What am I to think of the false letters of exchange in which youforged your father's signature? We have got them under lock and key, these terrible proofs, and they have cost us dear. I have pardonedthis fault with the rest, Rudolf; but facts are facts. "

"It is impossible, I tell you!" he answered with firmness. "Theremust be some terrible mistake in this case, and I trust you willassist me in clearing it up. If my father believes that of me, I amnot surprised he should rejoice at my death, nor am I astonished youdespise me. However, I solemnly protest to you by all that's dear tome, I am innocent, Francis. "

"Yet these bills were presented to Baron von Zwenken, and we paidthem to prevent a lawsuit. It could not have affected you very much, for you were in America; but my grandfather would have been obligedto retire from the army. "

"Francis, you are possessed of good, sound sense. How dared I havecommitted such an offence just at the time I was in hiding nearZutphen, at the moment when you were so generously raising fundsfor my enterprise in America; nay, at the moment when my sincerestdesire was to carry my father's forgiveness with me into exile? Showme these accursed bills, and I will prove my innocence. "

"They are in the General's possession; I cannot get at them to showyou them. "

"If we had them here, I would soon prove to you that it is impossiblefor me, with my wretched handwriting, to imitate the fine and regularhand of my father. What is your opinion, Mr. Leopold?"

"I believe what you say, " I answered. 

"Ah, that's a relief; it does me good!" he murmured, his eyes fillingwith tears. "My father has been accustomed to spend his leave infashionable watering-places; is it not possible for him there to havemade the acquaintance of some wretch wicked enough to serve him sucha turn?"

"For the last few years the General has not been from home, exceptone winter which he spent in Arnheim. "

"Can Rolf have done it?"

"No, don't suspect Rolf; he never had any education, but he's thehonestest man living, and he would pluck out an eye rather than causethe old General any trouble. "

"Then I don't know whom to suspect. Now take these notes, Francis--theyare real, I assure you; take them as a proof you still believemy word. "

"I believe you, Rudolf; but I think you have more need of them thanI have. "

"Never mind me; I have a good position now: first rider in the GreatEquestrian Circus of Mr. Stonehouse, of Baltimore, with a salaryof two hundred dollars a month--is it not splendid? You see I havenot lost my old love for horses. Formerly they cost me much money;now they bring me in a living. "

"Well, Rudolf, you might have sunk lower; your business demandscourage and address. But I will not accept your money; I never takeback what I have given. To-morrow morning we shall see each otheragain. You need not jump from the balcony and scale the garden wall;I will let you out myself. "

"Ah! you wish to make sure of my departure----"

"I have already said I would trust to your promise. Good night, gentlemen. "

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

She was scarcely out of the room, when Rudolf, who had drained thebottle, began in his usual tone of banter--

"I don't know whether I ought to congratulate you, Mr. Leopold, but I am firmly convinced our charming Major has found her colonel. "

I only shrugged my shoulders; for I felt a repugnance to makingFrancis a subject of conversation with such a fellow. 

"Do you imagine I have no eyes? I know the women, I can assure you. Ihave come across all sorts, and all sizes and colours, in my vagabondlife; and my niece, though she were a thousand times Major Frank, is still a woman--a woman with a man's heart, as good Queen Bess usedto say of herself. I don't know what you intend to do, but it appearsto me you have only to propose--

 'Et bientôt on verra l'infante Au bras de son heureux vainqueur. '

She is smitten by you, that's certain! Why, she's like a thoroughbredhorse. With much patience, much attention, and a firm hand that knowswhen to be gentle, so one succeeds. As for myself, I was always toorash, too impatient. These gracious devils soon perceive it, and oncethey know it, you are thrown--there's no help for you. After all, perhaps I am mistaken, " he said, seeing I remained silent; "otherwiseI would add that I hope you are rich. Her grandfather is ruined----"

"And by whom?" I interposed; a little hard upon him, I confess, but his volubility had become insupportable. 

"By whom? that's the question. I have contributed my share, Iacknowledge, yet not more than my own fortune which came to me frommy mother, as the eldest and only son. John Mordaunt could tell ussomething if he were alive. He got his wife's fortune when they weremarried, and Francis ought to have had something when she came ofage; that is if anything were left, for they lived in style--yes, a style that would have run through any amount. I was sent off tothe Werve with my tutor, for I had begun to understand and to makeobservations. After the death of my sister I was never invited tothe house of John Mordaunt. But perhaps it will not interest you tolisten to my old stories?"

"Certainly, I should much like to hear an account of your adventures. "

"Well, then, my father was the first cause of my misfortunes, for he opposed my wishes in everything. I wanted to be an officer;and my father would not let me go to the military college at Bredabecause he was prejudiced against it. He insisted upon my studyinglaw at Leyden: this, he said, would lead to a fortune. Ah, I havefound a fortune!" he repeated, with a bitter laugh. "Since I wassent to study for my father's pleasure, I thought it only rightto seek my own; and, as he made me a fair allowance, I was soonnoted as the wildest and most extravagant of students. I kept myhorses and a Tilbury, and ran up enormous bills. Still I attendedthose lectures which interested me, and I had just put on a 'coach'for the final examinations, when my father lost a lawsuit against myAunt Roselaer. The supplies were stopped, and I left college withouthaving passed my examination as Master in the Law. My father'sinterests obtained for me a place in the financial world, but withthe condition I should marry a rich heiress. The misfortune was, theheiress in question was of an over-ripe age, with a nose too red formy taste, and I neglected her. My father grew furious, and declaredhe would discard me. Moreover, I could not settle down to the regularroutine of a counting-house for several hours a day, and sometimesextra work in the evening after dinner. I found in the office anold clerk, a regular old stager, who had sat on the same stool atthe same desk for twenty years without a chance of promotion. Thisis my man, I thought, and I left the responsibility in his hands, whilst I amused myself with my friends at the club. But one fine day, when I was out picnicing with a party of friends, my worthy clerkstarted off with the cash-box. I was of course held responsible, and my father's guarantee was forfeited. 

"I dare say the whole of Francis' remaining fortune was swallowedup by this affair and a lawsuit arising out of it. What could I donow? I had a good voice, and I proposed to go to some music academyabroad, and return as an opera singer. My father would not consentto this, and told me the best thing I could do was to enlist in theranks as a common soldier. I caught at this idea in the hope ofbeing promoted to the position of an officer at no distant date;but I had never been habituated to discipline. I was sent to asmall fortress on the frontiers; Rolf was my lieutenant, and hedid not spare me either hard work or picket duty. To cut it short, I had enlisted for five years, and I did not stay five months. Onefine morning I walked off altogether. I was caught, and I wounded anunder-officer in self-defence; the charge against me was as clear asthe light of day. But I succeeded in breaking out of prison. I own Iwas not very strictly guarded, and Francis, as I afterwards learnt, had done her utmost to facilitate my escape. Again I was free asthe air; but I must live. I tried everything. I gave lessons inFrench and in Latin to little German boys, and I taught the littleFräuleins music and singing; I was even appointed private singer to anAustrian princess, who was deaf, and imagined that my voice resembledRoger's. I wandered about with a travelling opera company, and sangmyself hoarse in the open air. I have been coachman to a baron, andtravelled for a house in the wine trade, but when they wanted to sendme to Holland I had to give up the post. Afterwards I was waiter atan inn, billiard-marker, valet to the secretary of a Polish count, who, appreciating my ability at the noble game of billiards, tookme to Warsaw, and hastened to initiate me into his plans for the'Independence of Poland. ' As a matter of course, his enterprise wasunsuccessful; but he got sent to Siberia, and I myself was kept inprison for some weeks because I refused to give evidence againsthim. Again I found myself thrown on the wide world without a pennyin my pocket. But I will not weary you with a recital of all I havedone and suffered. Perhaps the best thing, and the simplest, for me tohave done, would have been to plunge into the Rhine and stay at thebottom; but I have always had a repugnance to suicide, and, besides, I have always been blest with a fund of good spirits and health. Inow made a tour of the German watering-places from north to south, getting along as best I could, and changing my name very often. OnceI was imprisoned with a Moldavian prince accused of murder, but I waslet go, as I could prove my connection with the prince was posteriorto the crime. A report then got abroad in Holland that I was dead, and I skilfully manoeuvred to obtain credence for it. At last, weary of my adventurous life, I heard how a member of our family hadsucceeded in America, and I decided to try my luck there; but I musthave money. I flattered myself that after ten years my father wouldconsent to do something for me. I wrote to Francis. The answer was notencouraging. My father threatened, if I dared to cross the frontier, he would hand me over to a court-martial. I thought Francis said thisonly to frighten me. I came to Zutphen, well disguised, and there I wasconvinced she had told me the truth. Francis, poor soul, was the onlyperson who took pity on me, and you know already what it cost her. Andwhen I think she could believe me to be guilty of forgery! Oh, the factis I would not make her more unhappy by telling her what I suspect----"

"What then?"

"Listen; I have my weaknesses, but I have never been ruled bypassions. I am not 'passion's slave. ' Wine, play, and pleasant companyhave run away with my money, and in some respects I am no more thana great baby; but a real passion, a tyrannical passion, capable ofmaking me a great man or a great malefactor, such a passion I havenever known. Some one in our family, on the contrary, has been ruledby such a passion; and many things I observed in my boyhood withoutthinking much about them. But you are a discreet man, otherwiseFrancis would not confide in you as she has done; and, besides, you are a relation of the family--it is better you should be warned. "

After a pause--

"Know then that amongst all the trades I tried in Germany, I have hadthe honour to be croupier in a gaming-house. There, unrecognized by myunfortunate father, I have seen him play with a violence of passionof which you can form no idea; and, believe me, in spite of all myfaults, it is in that way both his own and Francis's fortune havebeen lost. I would have thrown myself at his feet, and besought himnot to precipitate himself deeper into this abyss; but my positionprevented me. Still, I watched him without his knowing it, and I soonfound out for a certainty that he borrowed money of a Dutch banker, to whom he gave bills on Francis's property;--and, you see, ratherthan confess this to her, he has accused me----"

"But such conduct is abominable!"

"Ah! passions do not reason. I was far away, and my name was alreadysullied. I only desire to clear myself in Francis's opinion. But toconclude my history: I was not more lucky in the New World than I hadbeen in Europe; I was shipwrecked and lost my all before I could landat New York. I then went to the far West without meeting with anythingwhich promised me a future; in short, I felt quite happy when I madethe acquaintance of Mr. Stonehouse, who engaged me to accompany hiscircus to Europe. And so it has come about that I once more treadmy native earth under the protection of the American flag. Once sonear the Werve, I was seized with an irresistible desire to see theold place again. My satisfaction and reception have not been veryflattering, as you have witnessed; but I will keep my promise toFrancis, cost me what it may. And now good night. "

Without awaiting my answer he threw himself at full length on thesofa, and soon gave me auricular evidence that he was enjoying theprofoundest slumber. I had nothing better to do than follow hisexample. When I opened my eyes in the morning he had disappeared, but he had left his pocket-book and the notes on the table. 

After mature reflection I came to the conclusion that his surmiseswere right, and that the father had defamed his own son to escapethe remonstrances of a granddaughter. 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

When I began to reflect on the coming day, I remembered that itwould be necessary for me to congratulate my uncle on his birthday;and I felt it would require a stretch of the forms of politeness todo this in a becoming manner. It occurred to me now that if Franciscould only see through that little glass window in my breast, shewould have the best of the argument in future on the subject of theconventionalities of society; for I confess to you, dear William, I had become a convert to Aunt Sophia's opinions with regard to thissame General von Zwenken, and now I admired her prudence in preventingher fortune from falling into such hands. 

As the birthday fell on a Sunday we all went to the village church, a duty which the General considered his position as lord of the manorimposed upon him; and one which he performed as he would have doneany other duty laid down by the military code. The clergyman was old, monotonous, and wearisome. The greater part of the congregation wentto sleep under the effects of his sermon. Francis took up a Bibleand pretended to read, whilst it seemed to me the wakeful part of thecongregation paid more attention to us than to their minister; and theremarks they whispered about one to another struck me as not beingvery favourable to us. The General alone kept his eyes fixed on thepreacher throughout the sermon; but whether his mind was so intentlyoccupied with the subject matter, I will not take upon myself to say. 

On our return the fête commenced. The village schoolmaster broughtup his scholars, who recited a string of verses glorifying the Baronas patron of the school, though I doubt whether he had ever enteredit. And I believe the same verses had done duty for several generationson similar occasions, when the owners of the Werve admitted the masterand his scholars to an audience. 

Then came the Pauwelsens from the farm, who still address theGeneral as their landlord; after them some of the villagers. Allthese people were regaled with cake and chocolate. The burgomaster[5] called in his turn; he was a regular rustic, and paid a good dealmore attention to me than to the General. He evidently saw in me amystery which excited his curiosity. 

Captain Willibald also put in an appearance, and after congratulatingmy uncle, handed him a box of cigars, saying--

"They are the old sort; I know your taste exactly. "

"Certainly you do, my good fellow; it is an agreeable present. Herein the country one must lay in a stock. What say you, Leo?"

"To my shame, I must own I did not know what to buy you on such anoccasion; but I will take care to make up for this omission of minevery soon. "

Uncle rejoined in a whisper--

"The one thing I should like you to do is to reconcile yourself withyour uncle, the Minister for Foreign Affairs. "

Happily it was not necessary for me to reply to this remark. Francisentered the room, and quite charmed me by her manner. She was cordialto all the visitors--I thought I had never seen a better hostess. Isaw how amiable she could be when quite at her ease, and not beset byfears of what envious tongues might say as soon as her back was turned. 

The dinner was beautifully arranged. The Captain had put on hisfull-dress uniform, the General his also, and I had given some extraattention to my toilette. Francis was dressed plainly as usual, without much regard for the day or the visitors; and yet there wassomething original in her style of dress, an elegance which seemed toheighten her beauty considerably. I was struck by the richness andweight of the silver, all engraved with the family coat-of-arms. Ifelt sure that the Captain and Francis had put their money togetherto get it from the pawnbrokers for the occasion. At table she tookher place between the clergyman and myself. The village lawyer, thepostmaster, and some rough-looking country farmers, together withthe churchwardens and several members of the local board, had beeninvited to the dinner. Rolf took his place in the midst of them, andsoon loosened their tongues by pointing out the various sorts of wine, and filling up their glasses with no sparing hand. Even the clergymanI found to be much more entertaining at table than in the pulpit, and the conversation never flagged. Fritz, assisted for the nonce byone of the sons of farmer Pauwelsen, had donned a livery which I feltpretty certain was the uniform of an officer metamorphosed. He wasmore attentive, and more particular than ever in his manner of servingevery one; it seemed to me as if he had something on his mind, he wasso solemn and serious. In spite of myself I could not help thinkingof the utter ruin this once opulent house had fallen into, and of theunhappy son banished from his father's table. As for the General, I hadnever yet seen him in such good spirits. The table so well served, theappetizing dishes, and the wines which he had such a delicate mannerof tasting--all this just suited his epicurean habits. Afterwardswe drank coffee in the garden, and Rolf insisted upon our drinkinga bowl of May wine; for he was most anxious to display his skill inthe composition of this very famous German beverage. 

This completed the entertainment, for the country people are accustomedto retire early; and the evening was still young when a great lumberingcoach drew up before the hall door, to convey the visitors back tothe village. 

I had hoped to meet Francis and propose a walk round the garden, but she was nowhere to be found. It appeared she had run over tothe Pauwelsens with some of the dainties for the old bed-riddengrandmother. And her first care on her return was to inquire thewhereabouts of her grandfather. 

"He must not be left alone for a moment to-day, " she said to me;"I have not been at my ease all this day. "

"Because of Rudolf?" I inquired. 

"I can never be sure what whim he will take into his head next. Butyou are sure that he is gone?"

"Certainly, before I was awake; but he left his pocket-book on thetable. I will take it to him to-morrow. "

"Don't do anything of the sort, I am sure he will come back; thisthought has pursued me like my shadow all this day. But tell me whatyou thought of my dinner. "

"You were a charming hostess, Francis. How I should like to see youmistress of a well-furnished house of your own!"

"And one in which it would not be necessary to take the silver outof pawn when I expected visitors, " she replied bitterly. 

"My dear cousin, I know this must have been a bitter trouble to you, "I answered compassionately. 

"This I feel the most humiliating of all; but I did it to pleasemy old grandfather, upon whom I can be severe enough at times abouthis weaknesses. Rolf, who in spite of his faults is the best-naturedfellow in the world, went to the town of----, and we polished it upourselves. We would not let Fritz into the secret. "

"And to me, Francis, to whom you owe nothing, you have given muchpleasure, by surprising me with this little Russian leather case----"

"Don't mention such a trifle. I only wished to mark the day on whichyou became my friend. "

"Yes, indeed, your friend for life, " I answered, gently drawing her armwithin mine. This word had given me courage, it rendered me bold. "Ithank you for that word, Francis; but it is not yet enough. Let mebe to you more than a friend; permit me----"

"More than a friend?" she cried, visibly agitated. "I beseech you, Leopold, let us not aim at what cannot be realized, nor destroythis relationship which is dear to me, by striving after theimpossible. Promise me seriously, Leopold, you will not mention thissubject to me again, or use any such language to me. "

This answer seemed very like a formal refusal, and yet I remarked anemotion in her voice which to a certain extent reassured me. 

"And why should it be impossible, Francis?" I resumed, mustering upall my courage. 

This time I got no answer; she uttered a shriek and rushed off to thesummer-house, I following her. There a frightful spectacle awaited us. 

Rudolf, the miserable Rudolf, was on his knees before his father, kissing his hand. The latter was seated on the bench, to all appearancemotionless. Suddenly Rudolf uttered a cry of terror and despair. 

"I warned you, " said Francis; "you have been the death of your father. "

"No, Francis, no, he has fainted. But I found him in this condition;I swear to you by all that's dear to me that I found him thus. "

The fact was that the General had become stiff and motionless asa corpse. The trellis work alone had prevented his falling to theground. His face had turned a little blue, his eyes were fixed andwide open, and his features distorted. Francis rubbed his temples withthe contents of her scent-bottle. This friction revived him a little;but prompt medical aid was necessary. 

"Tell me where the village doctor lives, " cried Rudolf, beside himselfin his agitation, "that I may fly to him. "

"It will be better to send Fritz, " replied Francis, in a cold, decided tone. 

I ran off in search of the old and faithful servant, to whom Iexplained the state of affairs. 

"The General has had an attack!" he exclaimed, with tears in his eyes, "and it is my fault!"

"How so?"

"I ought not to have allowed it--but I--I could not drive away theonly son of the house. "

"Of course not, but keep your own counsel and make haste. "

And the old soldier started off at a speed I had thought him littlecapable of. 

When I returned the General was in the same condition; Rudolf, leaning against a tree, was wringing his hands. 

"That will do no good, " Francis said to him; "help me to carry himto his room; Leopold will give us a hand. "

"That's not necessary--he is my father, and it is my place to carryhim. "

In an instant he took up the old man with so much gentleness, and yetwith such firmness of muscle, that you would have thought he carrieda babe. He refused my assistance even up the staircase. He laid theold Baron on his bed, with his eyes still fixed, and quite unconscious. 

"Thank God! there he is safe, " said Rudolf, falling into a chair. "Ihave had many a hard piece of work in my life, but never one in whichmy heart was so deeply concerned. May I stay here until he regainsconsciousness?" he asked of Francis like a supplicant. 

"I feel that it is impossible for you to leave at such a moment, "she answered; "but we must call in Rolf, and if he sees you here----"

"Oh, if he makes the slightest to do I'll twist his neck about likea chicken's. "

It occurred to me that the more simple and prudent plan would be forme to go and make the Captain acquainted with what had happened, andobtain his promise to keep silent and to pretend not to know anythingabout Rudolf's presence. He was enjoying his after-dinner nap when Ifound him, and I was afraid he would have an attack of apoplexy whenI told him about the coming of Rudolf. His anger seemed to make himforget the gravity of the General's position. I endeavoured to makehim understand that the accident might possibly be attributed to afit of cold, caused by drinking May wine in the cool of the evening soshortly after the copious dinner of which the General had partaken; buthe had made up his mind that Rudolf was the cause of the misfortune, and he asserted that his duty as a soldier and an officer was to havehim forthwith arrested as a deserter. 

It was only with the greatest difficulty that I could get this fixedidea out of his head. I succeeded, however, at length in proving tohim that the duty which he owed to humanity far surpassed all others atpresent; that it would be an unheard-of cruelty to arrest the son nowat the bedside of a father, dying, for all we knew; that even Francisherself had consented to his staying, and that we were in duty boundto cast a veil over the family secrets. Finally the inborn good-natureof Rolf triumphed, and we went together to the General's room. 

The doctor had just arrived. He considered the case serious, and saidit would be necessary to bleed the patient. Fritz and Rolf were leftto aid the doctor and undress the invalid. Meantime I led Francisinto a cabinet where Rudolf had taken refuge and was breathlesslyawaiting the doctor's verdict. 

As we had left the door ajar we heard the patient recoverconsciousness, and call for Francis in a strangely altered voice, and address questions to her in a frightened tone; which questionsthe doctor, not understanding, put down to delirium, though theymade it clear enough to us that he had seen and recognized Rudolf, although he mentioned no names. 

"If the patient is not kept strictly quiet, I fear it will turn tobrain fever, " said the doctor on leaving. 

"Would you like to see the person you referred to just now?" I askedthe General in a whisper, as soon as we were alone. 

"No, indeed! I know he is here; he must leave in peace, and at once, never more to appear before my eyes, or--I will curse him. "

We could hear a suppressed sigh in the neighbouring cabinet. Rudolfhad understood. 

Rolf and Francis undertook the duty of watching at the bedside ofthe patient during the night; and I led Rudolf to my room--I may saysupported him, for the strong man reeled. He threw himself on thesofa and wept like a child. 

"It is finished, " he said. "I could not, after all, have expectedanything else, and I have my deserts. "

"Francis was in the right, you see; you ought not to have brokenyour promise. "

"It is not my fault I broke it. Fritz caught me this morning just as Iwas scaling the garden wall, and I was obliged to make myself known tohim, otherwise he would have given me in charge as a housebreaker. Hethen offered to hide me in an unoccupied room on the ground floor untilto-night. Thence, unseen, I could watch the movements of my father;and when his guests were gone, I saw him walking alone towards thesummer-house, where he sat down, and, as I thought, he had fallenasleep. Then it was I ventured out of my hiding-place and approachedhim. It appears, however, he must both have seen me and recognizedme. But now I have said enough, and this time I will go away forgood. God bless him! May the Almighty strengthen dear Francis. "

I persuaded him to spend this night with me, and try to get a littlerest. From time to time I went to make inquiries about the General, and towards morning I was able to inform Rudolf that his father hadpassed a fair night and was now sleeping calmly; he could thereforeleave with his mind more at ease. I accompanied him a part of the wayoutside the grounds, and promised to keep him informed of the stateof his father's health. He gave me his address, as I was to writeto him under the name of Richard Smithson, and he then parted fromme with the most passionate expressions of gratitude for the littlekindnesses I had been able to show him. 

CHAPTER XXX. 

The General escaped for this time, but his recovery was slow. He wasweak, and both his arms and legs seemed as if they were paralyzed. Iallowed myself to be easily persuaded to prolong my stay at the Werve, and I was able to render Francis many little services. One of us twohad to be constantly at the side of the convalescent, for Rolf hadbetter intentions than judgment. He let the General have just whathe asked for, and would soon have brought on a relapse if we had notwatched them both. Francis was very thankful to have me with her; andyet she could not be satisfied that it was possible for me to spareso much time from all my business. She little suspected that my mostpressing and agreeable occupation was to remain at her side and winher affections. Her devotion to her grandfather was sublime; she forgotall the wrongs he had done her, and only reproached herself for havingcaused him pain by her plain speaking. Notwithstanding, as the oldman gradually grew better, she was soon again convinced that a certainamount of firmness was absolutely necessary to manage him. During hisillness he had requested me, in his first lucid moments, to receiveand open all his letters. And in this way I became aware that hewas engaged in "risky" speculations, and that he was making debtsunknown to Francis. When he was well enough to talk on such a subject, I ventured to remonstrate with him, and to point out the consequencesof persisting in such a course, both for himself and for Francis. Hepromised me he would give up all such speculations, and excused thepast on the grounds that he wished to leave Francis something when hedied. I was to make the best conditions I could for him in the saleof the Werve. It was time. Overberg consented to wait; but Van Beek, the executor of the will, a man as inflexible as the law itself, hadlost all patience. And I was not yet sure of Francis. Weakness on mypart, you will say; but no, it was delicacy--it was the fear of havingto cut short my stay. I was afraid of the obstinacy of Francis--thatshe would not consent to a marriage even though I might have wonher heart. I was constantly calling to mind that terrible sentenceshe had uttered in the garden: "You will not use such language to meagain. " I shuddered at the very idea that a new attempt on my partmight draw from her lips a definite and decided No. 

The old General had discovered my intentions--of that I wasconvinced. He was continually insisting upon a reconciliation with myuncle the minister, and that I should prepare Francis for the sale ofthe Werve. On this latter point, I assured him Francis would listen toreason, and, armed with his power of attorney, I went over to Zutphento arrange the preliminaries with Overberg. Van Beek was growingless and less manageable; he had sent in reams of stamped paper toOverberg, and the interest on several of the mortgages was six monthsover due; in fact the situation of affairs had become desperate. Icharged Overberg to write to Van Beek that the Werve would be sold, in all probability, at the same time as my marriage with Francis tookplace; and I thought this would be enough to keep the lawyers quietfor a few days longer. I brought back some little presents for theGeneral and Rolf, who were both highly pleased; and a plain set ofearrings and a brooch for Francis, as the time had not yet arrivedwhen I could offer her the diamonds I intended for my bride. 

On my return, to my great surprise, I found Francis sadder and moreanxious than I had left her in the morning. She accepted my present, but seemed to be little interested in it. She retired early, and Ifollowed her example, as I did not find Rolf's company particularlyinteresting. Most of the night I spent in reflection and conjectures asto this change in Francis; for I had observed tears in her eyes whenshe bade me good-night. Once more I made up my mind that the comingday should put an end to all my doubts. At breakfast, Francis, lessdepressed than the night before, told us she had received a letterfrom Dr. D. , of Utrecht, who gave her very encouraging news of theinvalid in whom she was so much interested. I wished to propose toher a long walk in the wood; but when I came downstairs from my room, where I had gone after breakfast to make a change in my dress, I metFrancis in the hall, arrayed in her riding-habit. This time she hadput on an elegant hat and blue veil, and was waiting for her beautifulhorse Tancredo, which the son of the farmer led up to the door saddled. 

"Give up your ride this morning, to oblige me, " I said to her, witha certain tone of impatience in my voice that could not escape her. 

She looked at me in surprise and silence as she played with herriding-whip. 

"You can take your ride an hour later, " I insisted. 

"I have a long ride before me, and I must be back before dinner. "

"Then put it off until to-morrow. This is the first opportunity wehave had to take a long walk since your grandfather fell ill. Don'trefuse me this pleasure. "

"You always like to disarrange my plans, Leo. "

"To-day I have good reasons for doing so, Francis; believe me, to-morrow it will be too late. "

"Really? Your words sound threatening, " she said, attempting tosmile. "Well, you shall have your way, " and she threw aside herriding-whip pettishly. "You'll have to wait until I change my dress;I cannot walk in my riding-habit. "

Tancredo was sent back to the stable, and in much less timethan I could have imagined my cousin reappeared in a very neatwalking-costume. 

"And where shall we go?" she asked. 

"Well, into the wood, I suppose. "

"That's right, the weather is splendid: we can walk as far as the roundpoint, and rest there on the rustic bench which you perhaps remember. "

And so we walked through the great lane towards the wood, silent, justbecause we had so much to say to each other. I had resolved to speak;but I could not decide in my own mind how to begin the subject. Sheherself seemed to have a thousand other things to talk about besidethe one I wished to come to. At length I tried to change the subjectby saying it would be necessary for me to fix a day for my return tothe Hague. 

"I was expecting it, Leopold. "

"And are you sorry I am going away?"

"I ought to say 'No, ' by way of opposition, which is the only suitableanswer to such a foolish question. "

"But I--will come back, if you would like it. "

"No, Leopold, I should not like it. And I still believe you wouldhave done better to go away the day I first advised you to do so. "

"Have I been a burden to you, Francis?"

"You know better than that. You know I have much to thank you for: youhave stood by me in days of suffering, and borne my troubles with me;you have been open, frank, and obliging with me; in a word, you havespoilt me, and I shall feel my loneliness doubled when you are gone. "

"Not for long, though, for I will come back soon--with--with atrousseau!"

"And, in the name of goodness, for whom?"

"For whom, indeed, but my well-beloved cousin Francis Mordaunt!"

"That's a poor, very poor sort of jest, sir; you know very well thatyour cousin Mordaunt has no intentions of ever marrying. "

"Listen to me, Francis! When we first met on the heath, and you toldme your intentions on this point, I had no reasons for trying todissuade you from them; but to-day, as you yourself know, the case isdifferent. You will recollect the freedom with which I have pointedout to you any defects which I considered a blemish on your noblecharacter. Do you think I should have taken such a liberty if I hadnot conceived the idea, fostered the hope, of your one day consentingto become--my wife?"

The word, the all-important word, was at last said. 

"Well, indeed, Leo, " she began with a profound sigh, "since youforce me to speak seriously, I must remind you of my last warning, 'not to use such language to me;' it cannot, it may not be. "

"And why not, Francis? Did I deceive myself when I thought I was notaltogether indifferent to you?"

She turned aside her face in silence, but I was sure I heard somethinglike a suppressed sigh. 

"Is it possible you are not disengaged?" I inquired, taking herhand gently and placing myself before her so that I could look intoher eyes. 

"Disengaged! Certainly I am disengaged, " she answered bitterly. "Ihave done my best to remain so; and I have all along told you I mustbe independent. It is necessary. "

"Ah, I comprehend, Francis!" I exclaimed, carried away by an absurdjealousy; "you are still waiting for your Lord William. "

"I?" she returned with passion; "I waiting for Lord William, who never loved me, who caused me to commit a thousand follies, who broke my heart, and who must now be nearly sixty! No, Leopold;don't humiliate me by pretending to be jealous of Lord William. CouldI have told you the history of his stay with us if I still loved him?"

"Is it then only a whim of Major Frank, who will surrender to no man, but prefers his savage kind of independence?"

"Don't torment me in this way, Leopold. You can break my heart, but you cannot overcome my objections. "

"Then I will discover this mysterious power which enthrals you, "I cried, full of anger and pain. 

"You already know the duties I have to fulfil, Leopold. Why should youthrow yourself into this abyss of misfortunes and miseries, in which Iam sinking? and I shall never be able to get out of it my whole life. "

"I wish to know your miseries, my dear Francis, to share them withyou, and help you to bear them. We will overcome them together--beassured of that, my adored----"

Passion was getting the mastery over me; I caught her in my arms andpressed her to my breast. She made no resistance, but, as if weariedwith the struggle, she rested her head on my shoulder--her head socharming in its luxuriancy of golden curls. Her eyes were closed andher cheeks were crimson. I thought myself in the seventh heaven. 

Suddenly a croaking voice broke the profound silence of the wood--

"Don't let me disturb you. Ah! Now Missy has a lover, it is notsurprising she neglects the little boy. "

Such were the words we heard close to us, uttered by a hoarse voiceand in the coarsest of country dialects. 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

Francis, pale with terror, disengaged herself from my embrace, and stepped forward a few paces. As for myself, I stood as ifthunder-struck. 

The person who had spoken these offensive words, and who had doubtlessbeen watching our movements for some time, was an old peasant womanbearing a strong resemblance to the witches in Macbeth. Her sharpblack eyes, bare skinny arms, as red and dry as a boiled crab, her facewrinkled and tanned, her blue checked handkerchief tied over her whitecap, and the stick on which she supported herself, all contributed tocall up before my mind one of those creatures our ancestors would haveburned alive. I confess I wished her such a fate when she advancedtowards Francis and said, with her ingrained impertinence--

"Now, miss--now I see what you have been so busy about the last fiveweeks, that you have never once had time to come and see the child. "

"My grandfather has been ill, Mrs. Jool. "

"Yes, rich people's sickness--there's no great danger; but the younggent there, that's another thing, eh? I tell you all the village istalking about it. "

"About what, Mrs. Jool?" asked Francis, indignantly. 

"Your neglecting the child for----"

"Listen to me, Mrs. Jool, " interrupted Francis, in a calm and firmtone: "neither you nor the village have any right to interfere withmy business. "

"Hum! the month is up, and a week gone in the second, and when Trineke[6] is not paid the boy suffers for it. "

"You shall be paid to-morrow; but I warn you if the child suffer onaccount of a week's delay in payment, either at your hands or yourdaughter's, I will take him away from you. To-morrow, or the dayafter, I shall come to see him myself, and I shall make inquiries ofthe neighbours. "

"What! You would disgrace me and my daughter by taking him away? Youtry it! we shall then see who is the strongest. "

And the insolent, vulgar woman set her arms akimbo, as she whined out--

"This is what one gets for defending great folks. "

"It has cost you no sacrifices, Mrs. Jool; for you have simply triedto make money out of your daughter's misfortune. "

"And he must have shoes and socks, or else he will have to run aboutbare-legged in clogs like a peasant's child. "

"I will provide them, Mrs. Jool; and now I have heard enough. Thisis the path which leads to the village. "

"What a hurry you're in!"

"These are private grounds; do you understand that? Now take yourselfoff, or----"

"Marry come up! how anxious you are to get rid of me. Well, well, I am going. Otherwise I am afraid this dandy will play the policemanfor her. " And so she limped off along the path indicated, mumblingall the way. 

Francis then turned to me and said--

"Well, Leopold, this incident will serve to enlighten you; behold apower opposed to my freedom and happiness. "

"I understand, " I answered, trying to assume a calmness I did notpossess; "I understand, Francis--you are too honest to bind any manto you for life, saddled as you are with such a burden. But why didyou not confide this terrible secret to me sooner? I will attemptthe impossible to save you!"

"But, Leopold, what are you thinking of?" she responded, quite redwith emotion; "you surely do not suspect me of anything unworthy? Youcomprehend that my honour is not herein concerned, though I mustsuffer for the deplorable consequences of the fault I committed. "

"I am listening, Francis; but, excuse me, I do not rightly understandyou. Is this not a question of a child which you are obliged tomaintain?"

"Yes, certainly; and that's not the heaviest part of the burden. Ihave also to maintain the mother. "

"Francis!" I exclaimed, in a transport of joy and relief. 

"Now it is my turn to say I don't understand you, " she rejoined, regarding me with an adorable simplicity. "Do you think it a lightcharge for me, in my position, to bring up a child, and provide forits mother whom I have sent to a private asylum?"

I thanked Heaven from the bottom of my heart that she, in herinnocency, did not suspect the conclusions I had drawn from the wordsand manner of the old witch. 

"This is the fatal consequence of my rash obstinacy with poor HarryBlount, " she continued. "You have heard me speak of the accidentbefore. He was carried in a dying state into the cottage of thisMrs. Jool and her daughter. In my despair, I repeated several times:'It is my fault; I have killed him, I have killed him. ' The daughterknelt beside Blount in the wildest agony; and Harry could just murmur, 'My wife, my poor wife; have pity on her, Miss Francis!' I did notknow until this moment that they were secretly married. I promisedsolemnly I would care for her, and even if I had made no promise Ishould still have done all I have done for her. 

"The mother always was, and is, a bad woman; she had, as it were, thrown her daughter into the arms of Blount, whom she considered agood match. After the funeral, she made such good use of my wordsuttered in despair, and spread such nefarious reports in the village, that I was accused in all earnest of being his murderer. In fact, we were obliged to consult the magistrate, a friend of ours, asto the measures we ought to take to contradict and put a stop tosuch slanderous charges. This, of course, did not relieve me of myobligations towards the daughter, in whom, very soon after the birth ofher child, symptoms of insanity manifested themselves. The child had tobe taken from her, and it was given in care to a sister of hers in theneighbouring village, who had just lost her youngest born. Perhaps youwould imagine she took it out of sisterly charity; but no, she insistedupon my paying her monthly wages as I should have to do any other wetnurse. Besides, I had to do what I could for the poor mother. It wasmost fortunate for me that on the occasion of my visit to UtrechtI met with Aunt Roselaer, otherwise I could not have afforded theexpense the mother has cost under the care of Dr. D. Mrs. Jool, not caring to live alone, went to the house of her married daughterunder the pretext of watching over the little one; but the fact is, she would there have a better opportunity of extorting money from me, and this she does under all kinds of pretences. The child has longbeen weaned, and ought not to be left in their charge. I am alwaysthreatening to take it away from them, but I have not yet done so;for, to confess a truth, I have recoiled from the rumours and falsecharges such a change would give rise to. The mother and child arenow costing me the greater part of my income. My grandfather findsfault with me about it, for he regards it as so much money thrownaway. Now, Leopold, do you think I could draw a man I really lovedinto such a maëlstrom as this?"

"The man worthy to possess you, Francis, will not be drawn in, butwill aid you in getting out of it. "

"It is impossible; I will never abandon this child of Harry Blount's. "

"I would never advise you to do anything of the sort. I know the wayto treat such people as Mrs. Jool. The child must be taken away fromher and brought up by respectable farmers; perhaps the Pauwelsenswould take him. To-morrow I will go with you to the village----"

"You will only stir a wasps' nest about your ears. "

"Oh, never mind; I am not afraid of a sting. "

"It's bad enough that this woman has been playing the spy on usto-day. "

"When she sees us together to-morrow she will understand that it isuseless playing the spy on us any longer. "

"But then she will make us the talk of the country-side. You don'tknow the wickedness that woman's capable of. "

"Well, what can she say more than that we are an engaged couple? Andis this not true, Francis?" I said, gently taking her hand in mine. 

"You come back to the subject again, even now you know all, " shemurmured; "but you have not calculated all the troubles and burdenswhich would fall upon you: Rolf, whom we could not send away fromthe Werve; my grandfather with his large wants--and small income. Ohyes, I know you are going back to the Hague to reconcile yourselfwith your uncle the minister, as the General has advised you to do;and I understand why. But don't do so for my sake, Leopold, for youhave yourself said it would demean you. "

"Reassure yourself on that point, Francis; I may forgive my uncleand seek to be reconciled to him, as my religion bids me; but neverfor the sake of his favours. But why so many difficulties? Don't yousee I love you, Francis; that during the last few days I have been atsome pains to suppress my feelings, and have therein succeeded betterthan I gave myself credit for; that, now I have told you all, we musteither part for ever, or I must have the assurance you will acceptme as your husband? I desire it, Francis; I desire it with a firmnessof will that despises all objections and will remove all difficulties. "

"Leopold, " she replied, "don't talk to me like this. No one ever spoketo me as you have done--you make me beside myself. And yet I ought toresist. I don't wish to be an obstacle in the way of your happiness, whatever it may cost me. "

I took both her hands in mine. "Francis, " I said, "I love you!" Thiswas my only answer. 

"You persist? Can it be? May I still be happy!"

"Enough, Francis; you are mine! I will never forsake you; you aremine for life!"

"For life!" she repeated after me, becoming so pale that I was afraidshe would faint. "Leopold, yes, I am yours; I put my trust in you, and I love you as I have never loved before--never before, " shewhispered quite low. 

"At last!" I cried; and pressed the first kiss of love on her lips. 

I need not tell you we came in too late for luncheon. It is truewe were not hungry. We returned to the house slowly, and almostin silence, and we even slackened our pace as we drew nearer theCastle. Francis, especially, seemed loath to enter. 

"Let us rest on the moss at the foot of this large oak tree, " she said;"it seems to me that all my misfortunes will come back to me as soonas I enter yonder. I cannot yet separate myself from my happiness. Oh, Leopold! I wish we could fly away together, that no one might interposebetween us two. "

"We will fly away, dearest; but first we must go through certainformalities which will give us the right to appear in the world asman and wife, and lift up our heads with the best of them. "

"And then will follow the breakfast, the visits, and thecongratulations of mean and false people, who come with a hypocriticalsmile to wish us joy, whilst behind our backs they will make a mockof the man who has dared to marry Major Frank!"

"Oh, what a supposition!" I replied; "you must pay for that, " kissingher sad face into cheerfulness. 

"I don't understand, " she continued, "how people can treat so seriousa subject as marriage with such lightness. The woman especiallymakes an immense sacrifice--her name, her will, her individual self;a sacrifice which I always considered it would be impossible for meto make, until I met you. "

"And now?" I asked, kneeling before her on the moss, the better to seeinto her beautiful eyes, which sparkled with happiness and tenderness. 

"Now I have no longer so many objections, " she replied with hersweetest smile. "But do not remain in that position before me, Leopold. It is only acting a lie, for I foresee you will be my lordand master. But let us now go in, my dear, otherwise they will bealarmed about us at the Castle. They won't know what to think of ourlong absence. "

"Just let me say, Francis, it must be with us as Tennyson puts it--

 "Sit side by side, full summed in all their powers, ------ Self-reverent each, and reverencing each: Distinct in individualities, But like each other even as those who love. "

"Exactly my opinion!" she exclaimed, applauding the sentiment. 

CHAPTER XXXII. 

It was just as well we went in, for we met Rolf and Fritz, who hadbeen sent out in search of us, as the General, though in a goodhumour, was most impatient to speak to us. When we entered his roomhe was arranging his papers, and did not give us time to announceour engagement, as we intended. 

"Francis, " he cried, "why did you stay out so long when I have suchgood news to tell you?"

"That's just what I have to tell you, grandfather; but what can havepleased you so much? You have not been made heir to Aunt Roselaer'sproperty, have you?"

"It comes almost to the same thing, my child. Know then that the heirto Aunt Roselaer's property asks your hand in marriage. It is one ofthe conditions of the will; and I believe he will be agreeable to you. "

I smiled, though I found that Overberg and Van Beek had been in toogreat a hurry to inform the old Baron of the real state of affairs. Ihad wished to be the first to break this agreeable surprise to Francis. 

She stepped forward towards the General, and in a firm voice she said--

"I am sorry, grandfather, to disappoint you. The gentleman comestoo late, for I have just promised my hand and heart to my cousin, Leopold van Zonshoven--and that is the good news I came to tell you. "

"But that's all the better, dear child--all the better; for the heirto Aunt Roselaer's property and your cousin Leopold van Zonshoven areone and the same person; and on the condition that you should marrythe heir. "

Francis, turning on me brusquely, cried, "It is not true, Leopold? Oh, say it is not true!" she exclaimed, violently agitated. 

"Then I should not speak the truth, " I answered. "The only differencefor you, " I continued, "is this: you thought you were giving yourheart to a 'poor gentleman, ' and now, like a prince in the fairy tales, he turns out to be a millionaire. Can such a surprise be disagreeableto you?"

"Not a disagreeable surprise to me"--she almost shrieked, withscintillating eyes and flushed cheeks--"to find you have put on a maskto deceive me! Have you not succeeded in inspiring me with esteem foryou by your proud and dignified behaviour, and the elevated sentimentsyou professed? And do you think I can be happy to find that all thiswas but a comedy? Could a gentleman have treated me so? But you havedeceived yourself, Jonker van Zonshoven. I gave my heart to a youngman without fortune, whose upright and noble character I admired, andin whom I had more confidence than in myself; but for the intriguer, who, to seize upon my aunt's fortune and make sure of it, has put ona disguise to win the heart of the woman he was ordered to marry, forthis hypocrite, this pretended sage, I have nothing but--my contempt!"

"Be careful, Francis; I know your violent temper often causes youto say that which in cooler moments you regret; but don't insult insuch a manner the man you have just accepted as your husband--a manwhom no one ever dared to address in such language, neither will hemeekly bear it from any living being. "

"Need I make any respectful apologies, or do I owe any excuses to you, who have deceived me, lied to me, who have introduced yourself herelike a spy, and carried on your mean and degrading speculations up tothe very moment when you thought it impossible for me to retract myword? Once more, sir, I tell you, you are mistaken in my character. Iwill never pardon a man who has abused my confidence!"

"I have not abused your confidence, Francis, " I answered, in ascalm and gentle a tone as I could; "I have only been studying yourcharacter, and trying to gain your affections, before I would venturean avowal of my sentiments--that is all I have done. "

"You have been false, I tell you. How can I any longer believe in yourlove? You came here to make what is called a good stroke of business, to gain your million. It is true, I loved you such as you were notas you now appear in my eyes. I will not be disposed of in marriageby any person dead or alive; and as for you, I refuse your offer. Doyou understand me? I refuse you!"

Upon this she fell back in an armchair, pale as death. 

I was myself obliged to lean on the back of a chair, for I felt mylegs trembling under me. Rolf, tender-hearted as ever, had withdrawnto a corner of the room with tears in his eyes. The General, withagony depicted on his face, sat in his chair wringing his hands, and seemed unable to move from the spot. 

"Francis, Francis, " he said, "don't let your temper overmaster you inthis way. Reflect that the Castle is mortgaged to the last stone, andthat the last six months' interest is not yet paid. If sold to-morrowit will not fetch a third of the amount for which I have mortgagedit, and it is only by the generosity of Jonker Leopold that the salecan any longer be delayed. He has offered to take it off my hands, together with all the mortgages with which it is burdened, and toallow me a yearly income which will make me comfortable for life; butyou must marry him, otherwise all our plans come to nought. Understandthat, and don't insult a man who has such generous intentions towardsus. He is still willing to forgive you, if you don't persevere inyour senseless refusal, I am sure; for I have for some time alreadybeen aware he loves you. And we have not to deal with him alone;there is a will made, and executors and lawyers appointed to see itsprovisions carried out. Now what shall I write to Overberg?"

"Write, grandfather, " said Francis, rousing herself with an effort, "that Francis Mordaunt will not suffer herself to be disposed of inmarriage by anybody's testamentary disposition; that she will neithersell herself for one million nor for two millions, and that she hasdecidedly refused Jonker van Zonshoven's offer of marriage. "

Feeling confident Francis would do me justice when more calm andresigned, but feeling also the necessity of not giving way to violencein dealing with a character such as hers, I said--

"I who have your promise and will not release you from it, I requestthe General to write to Overberg that Miss Mordaunt has accepted myoffer, and that the transfer of the Castle de Werve can forthwithbe concluded. "

"If I will consent to the sale, " interposed Francis, still paleand unmoved. 

"I beg your pardon, Miss Mordaunt, " I rejoined, "your grandfather isthe sole owner of the Castle; and during his life the will by whichit is bequeathed to you has no force nor value. "

"Ah! if she could only be brought to see all the circumstances intheir true light, " sighed Von Zwenken. 

"Well, uncle, you write what I have requested you to write; you knowonly too well the consequences of any other decision. "

"He wants you to write lies!" cried Francis, exasperatingly; "he'llstick to his million, that's clear. "

"Francis, " said the General, with the tone of a supplicant, "if youknew all I know! You are insulting a man who is generosity itself, who has power to ruin us all, and yet who seeks to save us if youwill simply take the hand he holds out to you. Remember he can forceus to sell the Castle if we do not consent to hand it over to him, however much against our own will. "

"It is possible that he has secretly acquired the power to drive usout of the Werve like beggars, but he cannot compel me to marry him. "

"We shall see about that, " I rejoined, proudly. 

"You dare to talk to me of constraint--to me!" she cried, becomingfurious, and advancing towards me--"you, Leopold, " she added, withan accent of real pain. 

"Yes, Francis, " I answered, resolved to follow up my advantage, "youshall submit to the constraint of your own conscience, which musttell you that you owe me an apology. I am going away. Farewell. Tryto reflect on this in your calmer moments. You have touched me tothe quick; you have wounded my feelings of honour and my heart. Donot let me wait too long, or the wound will become incurable. "

I gave her a last look of gentle reproach, but her glassy eyes seemedinsensible to all around her. I shook hands with the old Baron, who, with bowed head, was weeping like a child. Rolf followed me to my room, and besought me not to leave the Castle in such haste. 

"She is like this, " he said, "when anything goes wrong with her. Withinan hour she will regret what she has said, I am sure; the storm wastoo violent to last long. "

But my mind was made up. I packed up my luggage, slowly, I mustconfess, and always listening for a well-known step and a knock, whichshould announce Francis repentant and seeking a reconciliation. Butshe did not come. 

I was miserable beyond all expression. It was like being shipwreckedin the harbour after a long voyage. To think this was the same womanat whose feet I had kneeled an hour ago, and whose hand I had kissedin a delirium of pleasure. And now she had turned upon me like a furyand declined my offer with contempt! I reflected that I ought to haveacted more frankly and straightforwardly with her. For a moment theidea occurred to me to renounce all my rights as to Aunt Sophia'sproperty; but, after all, what good end could it serve--it wouldonly reduce us both to poverty. I promised myself that, once arrivedat Zutphen, I would send her in writing a complete statement of howaffairs stood, and enclose aunt's letter, which, out of delicacy, I had so far kept to myself. I would add a few words of explanation, and I doubted not that, in her calmer moments, she would do me justice. 

And thus I acted; but as all the documents together made up too largea packet for the post, I confided them to a waiter at the hotel, who was to hand them over to a carrier calling every day at the Wervefor orders. I flattered myself I should speedily receive an answer, and all the following day I passed in a feverish excitement, onlyincreased in the evening when no answer came. During the night I neverslept a moment. Another day passed, and still no answer; and now I gavemyself up to the most complete despair. There was nothing for me to dobut settle my affairs in all haste at Zutphen and return to the Hague. 

I kept Overberg in the dark about my rupture with Francis, onlytelling him pressing business called me back to the Hague. I signedall the papers he put before me, and told him I would return as soonas possible. The fact was I felt seriously unwell, and, as you know, home is the best place under such circumstances; I thought I couldthere immerse myself in my favourite studies, but I only rememberfeeling an unbearable weight of oppression come over me. 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 

Instead of regaining my usual calm in my own "sweet home, " I fellseriously ill the first night after my return. I was attacked by anervous fever, and remained for several days insensible. My landladynow proved herself a faithful and attentive nurse, and she tells methat my life was almost despaired of for some days. I am convalescentat last, and I shall travel. You will ask where? I don't know yet;nothing is decided. 

When I was able to look over the papers which had accumulated on mytable during my illness, I found a card from my uncle the minister, whohad called to make inquiries about me. My worthy uncle had heard thereport that I was a millionaire. I also found quite a heap of lettersfrom Overberg and Van Beek, which I had not the courage to read; one, however, marked "Important, " I broke open. It announced the death ofmy uncle Von Zwenken, and I was invited to the funeral. The date toldme that the letter was three weeks old! What had become of Francis?

Doubtless she was still ill-disposed towards me. She seemed to beunaware of my illness, since she had invited me to the funeral of hergrandfather. What must she have thought of my silence? Not a singleword of comfort or encouragement from me. What annoyances she mightalready have suffered from the lawyers. I was expecting my doctorevery moment, and I had determined to ask his permission to startimmediately for Zutphen, when I heard some one coming up the stairs, whom my landlady was endeavouring to call back, she being very strictabout my being kept quiet. But, in spite of all her efforts, Rolfburst into the room--Rolf, whom I had ended by loving almost as muchas I detested him the first few days of our acquaintance. 

"My General is dead, " he said, with tears in his eyes--"died in myarms. Francis is gone----"

"She is not ill, however?" I interrupted quickly. 

"Not in the least, she is in excellent health; but--she has turnedme out of the Werve. "

"What do you say?"

"Oh, it was not done in anger or malice; but because she herself willbe forced to leave the Castle very soon. In fact, she has alreadyhired a room at farmer Pauwelsen's; but she will tell nobody whatshe intends to do. "

"But tell me all the particulars of the General's death. "

"Well, the General had not the courage to resist her, and write toOverberg in the sense you advised him. And as everything was vague anduncertain because of your answering nobody's letters, the lawyers lostpatience; and Overberg, egged on, I believe, by that quill-driver inUtrecht, wrote to Freule Mordaunt to know for certain whether or notshe was engaged to you. You will guess her answer, short and dry, but without a word of reproach as far as you were concerned, I canassure you. I know she reproaches herself bitterly, and has done sosince the day you left, as I told you would be the case. "

"Even after she had received the packet from me?"

"She never received anything from you. "

"That's very surprising!"

"No, it's not at all surprising, for everything was in the utmostconfusion with us from the fatal Friday you left----But I see thisis sherry, may I help myself?"

"Certainly, Captain; I beg your pardon, I ought to have thought ofasking you sooner. "

"Well, then, after you were gone she fainted. Such a thing neverhappened to her before within my knowledge. I felt almost ashamedof her; but she loved you so much, as she later confessed to meweeping! When she came to herself again, and whilst, as we thought, shewas reposing in her own room, she had stealthily gone off to the farm, ordered Tancredo to be saddled, and ridden away at full gallop. Atdinner we became dreadfully uneasy as she did not put in an appearance, and neither the General nor myself could eat. But it was much worsewhen, in the evening twilight, young Pauwelsen came to say Tancredohad returned to the stable alone, without saddle and white with foam. "

"An accident!" I cried, beside myself. "Do tell me the worst atonce. What has happened to her?"

"Oh, it was not so bad after all, Jonker--only a sprained foot; wefound her lying on the moss at the foot of an oak, to which she hadbeen able to crawl to rest herself a little. "

"I know that oak!" I exclaimed. "I feel what she must have feltthere. She loves me still!"

"I believe so, Jonker, for she said we were to leave her there to die, and to tell you where she died. It appears she had ridden towards thetown, and then, suddenly changing her course, was returning to theCastle through the wood; but either she must have pressed Tancredotoo hard, or dropped the reins--she cannot explain it herself. Butcertain it is, the noble animal, no longer recognizing the handof his mistress, galloped home, and she fell out of the saddle. Wecarried her home, and laid her on the sofa in the drawing-room. Thesurgeon declared there was no danger, but said she must not be movedfor some days. "

"And why did you not send me word immediately?"

"Hum! I wanted to write to you, and she also. I ought not to tellyou perhaps, but she wrote a note to you. "

"Which I never received. "

"No, for young Pauwelsen was charged to deliver it into your ownhands at Zutphen; but when he arrived there they told him you hadleft, and he brought back the letter, which the Freule tore up, with a bitter laugh saying--

"'I deserved no better. '"

"Oh, if I could have foreseen all this!" I cried, wringing my hands. 

"I advised you to stay, " replied the Captain; "why need you go offin such a hurry?"

"My dear Captain, I felt I was going to be ill; I was ill already. Buthow was it she did not receive my packet? I waited until the thirdday for an answer. "

"What could you expect? Everything was turned upside down. Fritz hadorders to place all letters on the General's writing-table, and hehad taken such an aversion to anything in the shape of a communicationfrom the lawyers, that he never opened one of them. Miss Francis wasscarcely able to move about again when those accursed creatures setto work and threatened to send in the bailiffs, and Heaven only knowswhat besides. Then she had to attend to everything, for the Generalhad a second attack of paralysis: those people have been the deathof him, and I could not prevent it. "

The Captain forgot to add here, what I afterwards learnt, that hehad himself hastened the General's end by administering a glass ofold cognac to him under the pretext of strengthening him for theoccasion of meeting the bailiffs. 

"As soon as his eyes were closed, " he continued, "the lawyer fromArnheim, who was in possession of the General's will, and Overbergadvised Francis to arrange matters with you in an amicable manner;but she would not listen to them. You understand, it was in your namethese proceedings had been taken against her grandfather. "

"Whilst I lay unconscious on a bed of sickness. "

"That's what the Pharisees knew, but they had your power of attorney;and Francis said--

"'Behold the constraint with which he threatened me! And he imaginesI shall give way? Never!' You should have seen her, how pale she was, but firm; when the men came to make the inventory of all there wasin the Castle!"

"Afterwards she took me aside. 'Rolfie, ' she said--it was her word whenshe wanted to get anything out of me--'Rolfie, now tell me honestly, have you not sacrificed the greater part of your fortune to the wantsof my grandfather?'

"'Well, certainly not, Maj--Miss Francis; we have only spent that smallsum which we won in the lottery. The General would make use of hispart of it to try his luck once more; but I preferred spending my parton a few extras for the table that we might all enjoy it together. '

"'Then that story of yours about an inheritance was a pureinvention?' she demanded severely. 

"'Pardon, Freule, I have inherited a nice little farm in North Brabant, where I always intended to end my days, if the Freule should' (marry, Iwould have said, but I was afraid) 'wish to dispense with my services. '

"'And can you live comfortably on it, Captain?'

"'Very; and, besides, I have my pension. Living is very cheap in thatpart of the country; if the Freule can make up her mind to go with me, we should have a very pleasant life of it together. Though it is nocastle, the best room in the house is set apart for your service. '

"'I thank you most cordially, my good Captain; I was most anxiousto know whether you were provided for. But we must separate, mydear Rolf. '

"'And where will you go, what will you do?'

"'I cannot tell you that; but one thing is certain, you cannot gowith me. '"

The Captain plied himself well with sherry to keep up his spirits, and concluded by saying--

"And so we parted, Jonker. But I thought to myself, I'll pass throughthe Hague; and here I heard of your illness, and said to myself, 'Probably the Jonker is ignorant of all that has occurred. '"

"Do you know what you must do, Rolf? Go back to the Werve at once. Ishall give you a letter for the lawyers to stop all proceedings, andyou will take command of the fortress until I come. Retain Fritz in theservice, and try to find the packet. I shall be with you to-morrow orthe day after, if my doctor will give me permission to leave my room. "

"Oh, the packet will be at Overberg's with the rest of the General'spapers. "

"Then try to find out where Miss Francis is, and induce her to returnto the Werve; but don't tell her I am coming there. "

At the same moment my landlady brought me the following telegramfrom Overberg--

"Your immediate presence indispensable; no arrangement possible;F. M. Has left the Castle. "

I did not hesitate any longer. Without awaiting the doctor's leave, I got Rolf to pack my portmanteau, and we were off before he couldstop us. These thick-coming events called forth all my strength, and I forgot how weak I really was. 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 

When I arrived at the hotel in Zutphen, I was surprised to find aletter awaiting me from Rudolf, who was still travelling through theprovinces of Guelderland and Overyssel with his troupe, which wasnow performing at Laren fair. It ran as follows--

"If you wish to prevent Francis from committing the greatest folly shehas yet been guilty of in life, try to meet me at the 'Half-way House, 'between Zutphen and Laren, to-morrow morning about nine o'clock. "

I promised myself I would not neglect this appointment. I then sentfor Overberg, who confirmed all I had heard from Rolf, and explainedmany things I thought inexplicable. It was Van Beek who had pushedmatters to extremities, and he (Overberg) had been quite willingto grant any reasonable delay. He told me one thing I was stillignorant of. A lawyer had sent into Van Beek a copy of a codicil toAunt Sophia's will, drawn up by her order on the eve of her death, by which she bequeathed to her grandniece, Francis Mordaunt, a yearlyincome of three thousand florins in case she did not marry Jonkervan Zonshoven; and I was bound to pay this pension on conditionshe made no marriage without my consent. A very far-seeing womanthis aunt of mine! I charged Overberg to make known this codicil, and to hand over to Francis the packet which he had found amongstthe General's papers. He had sent it to the Castle, but too late;Francis was already gone. I requested him to do his best to find herout, and to deliver it into her hands. 

Next morning, when I arrived at the appointed place, a little countryinn, the landlady told me that a lady and gentleman were alreadyawaiting me upstairs. I hastened into the large assembly-room, and atthe bottom of it I could perceive Rudolf and Francis, almost hiddenbehind a platform which had been erected for the musicians. Francisstood with her back to the door at which I entered. I wished to giveher warning of my presence, but I could not speak; and as I advancedall of a tremble, I heard Rudolf saying to her--

"Nonsense, my dear! you have no idea of the sort of life you wishto lead. You talk of liberty and independence; but I tell you it isslavery and the whip into the bargain. Do you know our bed-room is inthe stable with the horses? Do you think the women are much respectedbecause they are so politely assisted to mount their horses during theperformance? I can tell you Madame Stonehouse herself is not sparedby her gracious husband. And you would cast in your lot with us, susceptible and haughty as you are!"

"There's nothing else I can do, " replied Francis. "I can manage ahorse, but I cannot become a governess and undertake the care of youngchildren any more than I could earn my bread with my needle. I willnot be guilty of the sin of suicide. I have a duty to fulfil in life, though to me life is but a martyrdom. And this is my only resource. "

"But, you foolish girl, why don't you seek a reconciliation withyour Cousin van Zonshoven? You would then have all a woman could wishfor--your castle back, a beautiful fortune, and a husband who wouldlove you truly. Upon that I'll wager my head. "

"Yes; he's a man of rare loyalty, indeed, and has shown himselfsuch!" she answered with a choking voice. 

"Bah! at the worst he has only acted a little insincerely; white lies, my dear, white lies may be pardoned. Forgive him his peccadillo. Hewill have much to forgive in you, as you have confessed to meyourself. Tell him you are sorry for what you have said. He will thenembrace you and all will be well. "

"It is impossible, I tell you; it is too late. "

"Why too late, Francis?" I exclaimed, as I stepped forward, unableto restrain myself any longer. 

"Leopold!" she cried, turning deadly pale, and covering her face withher hands. 

"Francis, " I went on gently, "nothing is changed; I still regard youas my betrothed wife. "

And saying this I tried to take her hand in mine. But the touchpained her; she sprang back as if she had received the discharge ofan electric battery. 

"Your betrothed! You have given me to understand this by the mannerin which I have been treated!"

"It grieves me to the heart, Francis--I cannot tell you how much. Icome now from a sick-bed, and what the lawyers did whilst I layinsensible in the fever was in opposition to my wishes, and quitecontrary to my intentions. "

"And was it contrary to your intentions to cause my grandfather theshock which led to his death?"

"Most certainly it was, and I did my utmost to prevent it; butyou would not assist me, and afterwards it was too late. It was theexecutors carrying out the last will and testament of the deceased, andit was out of my power to interfere with them. And if the consequenceshastened your grandfather's death, you cannot blame me, Francis. Forafter a calm consideration of all the facts, you will be bound toagree that I was a better friend both to him and to you than you havebeen to yourselves. Because of a little misunderstanding which I couldeasily have explained, you have brought all this trouble on yourself, and caused me the most acute suffering. Still all may be well. "

"All may be well! Oh, Leopold, Leopold! how can you say so, when thegulf between us is so wide, " she replied, with a profound sigh. "Youthreatened me with force, and you have meanly carried that threat intoexecution! You had it in your power to drive me to extremities, yourone fixed idea being to compel me to marry Aunt Roselaer's heir. Ihave heard this so often I am sick of the subject; and though Iacknowledge you are right from a worldly and material point of view, I had given you credit for better things. Don't you understand, thatwere I to marry you now under constraint, I should tug at my chainsuntil they made life unbearable to us both, or until they broke!"

"I agree with you, Francis, if you regard our engagement in this light, and I release you from your promise. "

"Thank you, but I had already taken measures which render suchgenerosity on your part unnecessary. I am going to travel about inthe world, and I have taken steps to separate myself from the pastentirely. I have made my contract with Mr. Stonehouse, to whom Rudolfis to introduce me as soon as he arrives here to sign the same. "

"Your Uncle Rudolf came here, my dear, to dissuade you from such astep; and if you are awaiting the arrival of Mr. Stonehouse, you willhave to wait a long time, " responded Rudolf, coolly. "Did you thinkme such a fool, Francis, as to assist you in your insane idea?"

"Then you never delivered my letter to your master?"

"Certainly not, I did much better. I warned your Cousin Leopold thatyou were going to commit a folly which would lead to your inevitableruin. "

"Oh, I see! this is another plot against me. Enough; as I cannottrust any one but myself, I will ride off at once and ask to seeMr. Stonehouse in person. "

"You will do nothing of the sort, " I said, authoritatively, seeingthat she rose to depart. "The General is dead, Rudolf civilly dead, and I am consequently, in the eyes of the law, your nearest malerelation. Therefore I forbid your entering this abyss, from whenceno one ever rises again, in the flower of your age. "

"What am I to do?" she cried passionately, yet with an accent ofsubmission in her tone. 

"You have simply to return to the Werve, " I answered, "where you willfind a friend actively preparing for your reception. "

"A friend!" she repeated, in astonishment. 

"Yes, Rolf; who is to stay there until further orders. Don't beafraid--I shall not importune you with my presence, for I am goingto travel. "

This latter declaration seemed to make a great impression on her. Sheregarded me with a strange kind of look, and replied in a tone ofvoice which betrayed something more than pride and anger--

"In very sooth, Leopold, you are going to travel? Well, then, I willstay at the Werve. Farewell. "

And she escaped from the room quickly, shutting the door after her. Wesoon heard the pawing of her horse outside, and we trusted she wouldride back to the Castle. 

"Ought I not to follow her?" Rudolf inquired of me. 

"No; any mistrust on our part would offend her. "

"She is in an unusual state of excitement, and such a recklessrider. Only lately she had an accident. "

"That's true; for Heaven's sake follow her! But if you should berecognized yourself?"

"Never fear, I am too well disguised for that. In my present dressI made more than one visit to the Werve during my father's lastillness. I have pressed his hand on his death-bed; and he has givenme his signet ring. Out of prudence I do not wear it on my finger, but like this, in my bosom, attached by a cord round my neck. AndFrancis, " he cried in triumph, "has accepted assistance from meduring these last days of trial. When the Kermis at Laren is over, we shall leave this country; and I shall never more set foot on mynative soil, " he added, sadly, as he mounted his horse; and pressingmy hand for the last time, took an eternal farewell of me. 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

Our surprises were not yet at an end. 

On my return to Zutphen I found Overberg waiting for me at my hotel. Hehad just received from England a packet addressed to Francis, whichFritz had refused to take charge of, as he did not know where to findher. I assured him that Miss Mordaunt had now returned to the Castle;and I offered my driver double fare if he would go at once to theCastle, and bring me back a reçu from Francis. I should then haveproof positive of her return to the Werve. I was very anxious to findout what this packet could contain; and I was in despair as to anysuitable means of satisfying my curiosity, when early next morningold Fritz arrived at the hotel with a note from his mistress. He hadhis orders not to deliver it into anybody's hands but mine. I brokethe seal with trembling fingers, and read as follows--

 "Cousin Leopold--I must speak to you once more before you start on your travels; it is absolutely necessary. You once assured me you were always ready to oblige a woman who exercised the privileges of her sex. May I hope you will come to the Werve to have a last interview with me? Instead of writing I should have preferred to come to your hotel to see you; but I was afraid of scandalizing you by such a liberty. Please send word by Fritz the day and hour I may expect you. 

 F. M. "

I had but one answer to this note; it was to order out the hotelcarriage, and drive back with Fritz. My hopes and fears as we drovealong I will not attempt to describe; they are better left to yourimagination; but everything seemed to turn round before my eyes as wepassed over the old drawbridge, and drove up to the hall-door. Rolfwas awaiting me at the entrance; and he led me into the drawingroomwithout a word, only expressing his delight by the manner in whichhe swung about his cap. 

Francis was seated on the sofa which I remembered so well, her headcast down, paler than on the preceding day; but charmingly beautifulin her mourning-dress. She rose hastily, and advanced to greet me. 

"Thank you, Leopold, for coming so soon. I knew you would come;I had confidence in your generosity. "

"And--am I then no longer contemptible in your eyes, Francis? Youhave received my packet, and read Aunt Sophia's letter?"

"I have received all the documents, read all--more than was necessaryto convince me I had done you an injustice, and ought to apologizeto you. Now I am ready to confess it before all the world that I didyou wrong; will you pardon me without reserve?"

"Need you ask me that, Francis? But you must never doubt me more, never more, Francis. "

After a moment's silence she answered in a low voice--"Never more, Leopold!"

So saying, she pressed my hand with ardour, as a sign ofreconciliation. Still, there was a constraint about her manner whichprevented my pressing her to my heart as I desired to do. 

"Sit down, Leopold, " she said; "now we are reconciled I have to askyour advice as my nearest relation and my most trusted friend. "

At the same time she unfolded the packet which she had receivedfrom England. 

"Lord William is dead, " she went on; "will you read this letteraddressed to me, together with a copy of his will?"

I could scarcely control myself sufficiently to read the letter; butI obeyed mechanically. This letter contained a few words of seriousadvice, breathing nothing but words of paternal love; though I readbetween the lines that it had cost him a struggle after her confessionto regain this kind of calm affection for her. He had left with Cupid'sarrow in his heart. The letter concluded with the most ardent wishesfor her happiness; and he expressed a hope she would one day find ahusband worthy of her, begging her to accept as a marriage portionthe legacy he had left her by his will. Finally, he said, she mustallow no considerations whatever, especially money considerations, to induce her to marry a man whom she did not love with all her heart. 

The family name with which this letter was signed is one of the mostillustrious in the scientific as well as in the political world. 

There was also a second letter from the nephew and heir toLord William's title and immense fortune. He assured Francisof his intentions scrupulously to fulfil the last will of thedeceased. Francis was to receive from the estates an annuity of threethousand pounds for the term of her natural life. 

"Ought I to accept it, Leopold?" she demanded. 

"My opinion is you cannot refuse it, Francis. Your greatest desirehas always been to have an independence; and here it is offered youby the hand of a friend. "

"You are right, Leopold; I shall follow your advice and accept it. NowI shall not be forced to marry any one; and if I should choose ahusband, he cannot suspect me of having done so for the sake of hismoney. Shall I be rich enough to buy back the Werve?"

"No, Francis; the Werve is in the possession of one who will notsell it for money. If you still desire to become Baroness de Werve, you must take another resolution. "

"Leopold, " she said, rising, "you say that independence has always beenmy chief desire. It is possible; but now I understand that my greatesthappiness is to be dependent on the man I love. Leo, Aunt Roselaer hasleft me an annuity which I decline to accept, as a matter of course;but her intentions towards me were kindly, and I will follow heradvice. She has forbidden me to marry without your consent. "

Then with an indefinable mixture of grace, confusion, and malice, she sank down on her knees before me, and said--

"Leo, I wish to marry my Cousin van Zonshoven; have you anyobjections?"

"Heaven forbid! I have no objections!"

And with what rapture did I raise her, and clasp her to my breast, where she shed many tears, whilst my own eyes were not dry. We hadloved so much, and suffered so much for each other. 

What can I tell you more, dear William? We walked out in the grounds, and again visited all the places which had become endeared to usby our former walks. We made all sorts of plans for the future. Wewrote letters to Van Beek and the other men of the law, informingthem in a grave tone that all the bills would be paid at maturity, or on presentation. 

The fact that Francis was in mourning for the General served usas a pretext for being married privately, and in as quiet a manneras possible, an arrangement in accordance with both our wishes. Anold college friend of mine, vicar in a small town near the Werve, married us. 

Little Harry Blount is already confided to the care of the farmersPauwelsens. His mother has perfectly recovered, and will one of thesedays, we trust, marry young Pauwelsen, a son of the farmer, who hadalready fixed his eyes on her before her engagement to Blount. Thisgood news has removed an immense weight from Francis's mind. We aregoing to make a long journey, and try to enjoy ourselves thoroughly;the trials we have both passed through have taught us to appreciateour present happiness. 

During our absence the Werve will be restored, and Rolf will be leftin charge. 

To conclude, dear William, I have got Francis to enclose you a notein her own handwriting. 

Geneva, 1861. Leopold van Zonshoven. 

"That it is becoming in Leo to have sketched the doings of MajorFrank in all their shades and peculiarities, even for a friend, Ishall never allow; but I feel that in his delicate position it wasnecessary for him to ease his mind to some one, and that it was betterhe should do so to a friend across the seas. Therefore I have pardonedhim. Now I will request you not to have his letters printed in anyof your Indian papers! That would be too bad! Not that Francis vanZonshoven would attempt to defend such a person--oh no! It appearsto me no such person ever existed. But there are family secrets inthe letters, which I must seriously recommend to your discretion. 

"Don't wait until your term of service in India expires, but get yourleave of absence and visit us at the Werve. All the windows are nowglazed, and there is room enough for Leo's friend, though he camewith a whole family. 

"Francis van Zonshoven. "

NOTES

[1] Strictly orthodox Dutch people think that a sermon in the light, airy French language cannot be so serious and solemn as in theirown tongue. 

[2] The strictly orthodox party in Holland will only make use of theversion of the Bible approved by the States-General in the seventeenthcentury; the bigots insist upon its being printed in the Germancharacters in use at the time when the first copies were issued. 

[3] The Victoria Cross of the Dutch. 

[4] In Holland one is obliged to fetch a registered letter; they arenever delivered by the postman. 

[5] In Holland every village has its burgomaster, who acts as chairmanof the local board. 

[6] Trineke is a diminutive of Catherine.