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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Major Frank, by A. L. G. Bosboom-Toussaint
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Major Frank
+
+Author: A. L. G. Bosboom-Toussaint
+
+Translator: James Akeroyd
+
+Release Date: December 5, 2008 [EBook #27425]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MAJOR FRANK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Steven Gibbs, Jeroen Hellingman, and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net/
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                          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 Verheyst
+at A----.
+
+
+The Hague, March, 1865.
+
+
+Dear Friend,--If you are not too deeply absorbed in some lawsuit or
+other, come to me by the first express you can catch from your little
+provincial town. Something wonderful has happened, and I have great
+need of a friend to whom I can confide my secret. Imagine Leopold
+van Zonshoven, who seemed destined from his infancy to figure in this
+world as a poor gentleman--imagine your friend Leopold suddenly come
+into an immense fortune.
+
+An old aunt of my mother's, of whom I had never heard, and who it seems
+had quarrelled with all her relations, has hit upon the sublime idea of
+playing the "Fairy Godmother" to me. By her will I am made sole heir
+to all the property she died possessed of. I, who with the strictest
+economy 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 of
+the romancing novelist, who as a rule reforms and rewards the wildest
+youth. I almost knocked over the lamp on opening the letter which
+contained this incredible news; fortunately my landlady caught it,
+for she was waiting for the eighteenpence which the messenger demanded
+for his services, and she has since confessed to me she thought that
+it was a case of "baliffs." I got rid of her as quickly as possible
+and bolted the door behind her. I felt an irresistible desire to be
+alone, and to convince myself that the news was real, and not a page
+out of the "Arabian Nights."
+
+After having satisfied myself of the reality of the affair, I was
+assailed by an indescribable confusion of ideas and impressions. My
+heart beat as if it would burst; I felt a rising in my throat as if I
+should choke; and the first profit which I derived from my new fortune
+was a severe headache. I am not a stoic, and I have never attempted
+to appear in that character. Lately all my thoughts have been fixed
+on some method of changing the miserable position in which I have thus
+far vegetated, and there seemed but one hope left me: a reconciliation
+with my uncle, the Cabinet Minister, who could get me an appointment
+as attaché to one of the embassies. But this would be a difficult task,
+for his Excellency has forbidden me his house because of some articles
+that I wrote in an opposition paper. How I regretted not having been
+able to complete my studies and take a degree, the lack of which has
+shut me out from so many posts open to my fellow-students.
+
+At the age of twenty-nine it is a losing game to compete with
+younger men in possession of a degree; and whilst I sat brooding
+over my misfortunes, suddenly the news reaches me that I am a rich
+landed 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 like
+myself? Do come, then, as soon as possible to talk the matter over with
+me, especially as there is one point on which I must have your advice
+before entering into possession of my estates. Possibly your judicial
+eye 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 of
+gold to crumble to dust. I will decide nothing before consulting
+you. In the meantime I have given my lawyer power of attorney under
+reserve. Here I have many acquaintances, but not one trusted friend
+to whom I can reveal the secrets of my bosom without the fear of
+being misunderstood or made ridiculous.
+
+And now farewell till we meet. With or without the fortune, believe
+me 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 the
+following 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 anonymous
+letter in his fingers, "I fear this looks bad for Leopold. It will be
+hard lines if he has to forego the fortune which is thus dangled before
+his eyes like a bait on who knows what unreasonable conditions. I
+don't like this attempt on the part of some unknown persons to bribe
+his adviser. However, they shall find I am not to be caught in the
+snare. If there be any clause in the will inconsistent with law and
+honesty or with honour, I'll show them I have not been called to the
+bar to no purpose. Poor fellow, he little knows how difficult it is
+for me to leave home at present. Still, as I must go to the Hague
+before my departure to Java, I will set off early to-morrow."
+
+William Verheyst did as he said. He proved himself a true friend and
+no loiterer; caught his train, and five minutes after his arrival in
+the Hague was knocking at his friend's door.
+
+Leopold van Zonshoven occupied a single large front room in a quiet
+part of the town. He was too poor to live in a more fashionable
+quarter, and too honest to attempt living above his means. And
+yet there was an air of elegance about the room which marked it
+as that of a young man of refined tastes, and proved him to be a
+lover of home comforts rather than the pleasures of club life. To
+the ordinary furniture to be found in lodgings he had superadded a
+good writing-table, an easy-chair, an antique, carved book-case,
+and several small objects of art, which stood out in bold relief
+against the shabby wallpaper. This, however, he had tried to hide
+as much as possible by hanging the family portraits all round the
+room, some of them in solid ebony, others in gilt frames rather
+characteristic of this cheap, showy age. Even the space between the
+larger pictures he had tried to cover with small miniatures on ivory,
+and photographs. The young man had evidently done his best to surround
+himself by the portraits of his numerous family.
+
+He was busily engaged at his writing-table when Verheyst knocked at
+his door.
+
+"I was expecting you," he said. "I knew you would come to help your
+friend in need. What a strange letter I wrote you! But now I have
+recovered my senses again."
+
+Then turning to his writing-table, he said--
+
+"Look here, here's a bundle of papers soaked with ink. Though
+my landlady, Mrs. Joosting, saved the lamp from falling on that
+memorable evening, she did not notice the ink-bottle. Three articles
+neatly copied, numbered and ready for the press, are utterly
+spoiled. Nothing for it but to copy them again. Pleasant work this
+for a millionaire! But I have almost finished now, and the work has
+done 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. Though
+he 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 that
+he 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 even
+a condition set down. But there is a desire, a hope expressed in
+this letter from my aunt; and you must read it before giving your
+opinion. It seems to me I must renounce the inheritance if I cannot
+give effect to the wish you will find set down here."
+
+"Is it, then, such a difficult matter?" inquired Verheyst, before
+opening the letter.
+
+"Oh, that depends! My aunt wishes me to marry."
+
+"No unfair request, since she puts you in a position to maintain
+a 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 the
+young lady herself, who seems to be a granddaughter of a certain
+General von Zwenken, who married my aunt's eldest sister. The young
+lady is at present living with her grandfather; and it would seem that
+my shrewd old aunt, to be revenged on the General, has hit upon this
+means of leaving her fortune to her niece and shutting out the rest
+of 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 to
+lay it at the feet of this 'fair lady.' Nothing seems easier or more
+natural. But suppose the 'fair lady' should be ugly, hunchbacked,
+a shrew, or a troublesome coquette. In this case, you know, with my
+ideas about women and marriage, I should feel myself bound to refuse
+the fortune."
+
+"Refuse! refuse!--at the worst you can propose to divide it between
+you."
+
+"Now that would be acting in direct opposition to the express and
+formal wish of the testatrix. Read the letter and you will see."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+The Honourable Miss Sophia Roselaer de Werve's Letter to her
+Grand-nephew.
+
+
+My very worthy Nephew,--Though I am unknown to you, you are not
+unknown to me. I don't know you personally; but I am pretty well
+informed as to what you are, and what you are not. Thanks to all sorts
+of quarrels in our family, and the inconsistent conduct of my eldest
+sister, I have been forced to live estranged (and shall die so) from
+all my relations. My nearest relations, it is true, died years ago;
+the others are scattered over the world, and scarcely remember their
+relationship to me. Their ancestors, who have done their utmost to
+embitter my life, seem to have left it as a legacy to their children to
+forget me, and to trouble themselves as little about old Aunt Roselaer
+as if she had never existed. But man must think of his end. I am in
+my seventy-fifth year, and a recent attack of apoplexy has warned
+me to put my affairs in order, if I would prevent all disputes about
+the possession of my property, and, above all, save it from falling
+into the hands of those who have done so much to embitter my life. I
+will not suffer it to fall into the hands of a host of nephews and
+nieces, who would attack it like sharks, and divide and crumble into
+pieces what I and my forefathers have accumulated with so much care
+and economy. It is for this reason I have decided to appoint one
+of 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 has
+caused me the least grief. She married a man of her own rank, in a
+good position, with the full consent of her parents; and she could
+not help his falling a victim to the horrible Belgian revolution, in
+which he lost his life and fortune, leaving her with seven daughters,
+one of whom was your mother, who, I must say, troubled herself as
+little as any of the other nieces about Aunt Sophia. I can pardon
+her, however, because when she returned from Belgium to Holland an
+occurrence in our unfortunate family affairs had decided me to break
+off all intercourse with my relations. The second reason, and the
+chief 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 of
+friends and strangers, and the information I have received has always
+been such as to lead me to believe you the most fitting person to carry
+out one wish which I urgently request you to fulfil, if it be at all
+possible; namely, to marry the only grandchild of my eldest sister,
+and in this way put her in possession of that part of my fortune which
+the unpleasant divisions in our family cause me to withhold. I wished
+to adopt the girl in her early youth, give her a good education,
+and save her from the miserable garrison life she has led: but my
+request was bluntly refused; and General von Zwenken, her grandfather,
+has recklessly sacrificed the fortune of his granddaughter for the
+pleasure of being revenged on me. Consequently my will is made with
+the fixed purpose of preventing his ever enjoying a penny that has
+belonged to me. On reflection, however, I have come to the conclusion
+that it would be wrong to punish the granddaughter for the sins of her
+grandparents. After my death, on the contrary, I should like her to
+confess that old Aunt Roselaer, whose name she will only have heard
+mentioned 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 I
+were to leave her my fortune, I should only be playing into the hands
+of her grandfather, who would doubtless spend every penny of it in
+the same way he spent that of my sister. And so it has occurred to
+me, Leopold, to single you out and make you the sole possessor of
+all my wealth, with the request that you will make good the wrong
+which I have been forced to do. The question now is, whether you
+will be able to accomplish my desire. Difficulties may be placed in
+your way by the very person most interested in adopting the means I
+have thought out: in this case, I beseech you to persevere as long
+as there remains a hope of success. If, on the other hand, you raise
+obstacles, if you find it insupportable to have a wife imposed on
+you by a troublesome old aunt, a wife you cannot love, then I release
+you from this condition, for I wish at least one member of the family
+to think of me without abhorrence. Should the worst happen, you must
+consult lawyer Van Beek, who knows my intentions, if you do not wish
+to lose my fortune altogether. I expect better things of you, not
+to mention that I count upon your good heart being moved towards a
+young lady who has been deprived of her rights and the advantages of
+her birth from infancy through the ill-will of her relations. These
+rights 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 not
+Baroness de Werve, is the fault of the General; but his obstinacy
+and folly shall cost him dear.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+"Now, what do you say to this?" asked Leopold, as Verheyst folded up
+the letter with a thoughtful face.
+
+"What do I say to it? Well, that it is a real woman's letter; the
+most 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 hatred
+of this family, and probably for what is the merest trifle."
+
+"What shall I say?--From the merest trifles some of the longest and
+most difficult lawsuits have arisen. But, for your sake, Leopold,
+I could wish that this lady had been possessed of better feelings
+towards her relations; it would render the whole business simpler. If
+the young lady pleases you, marry her; if not, then propose to divide
+the fortune between you. You will both be independent, and one can
+live pretty comfortably on half a million."
+
+"Would to heaven she had left me thirty thousand guilders without
+conditions," 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 has
+chosen you to be her instrument of revenge, why you cannot do less
+than accept the encumbrance."
+
+"I don't see it."
+
+"I feel sure that on her death-bed she chuckled at the idea of leaving
+a champion of her griefs behind."
+
+"That may be so; but if she imagined that for the sake of her money I
+should so far demean myself as to serve her evil designs, then either
+she was greatly mistaken in my character, or she received erroneous
+information about me."
+
+"At present, you don't even know whether anything inconsistent
+with your character is demanded of you. Let me remind you that
+the depositions of the dead are not to be discussed, but as far as
+possible carried out. If after due inquiry you find yourself unable
+to fulfil the conditions of this will, it will still be possible for
+you to stop further proceedings."
+
+"I have written to the lawyer in that sense. I feel it my duty to
+see first whether a marriage be possible. This I am bound to do for
+the young lady's sake; but I should like you to pay a visit to the
+Von 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!" answered
+Verheyst--"opening the preliminaries of your marriage by an
+ambassador. 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 this
+answer, which caused Leopold to start up in surprise.
+
+"You do not mean me to take this reproach seriously?" he asked, feeling
+somewhat touched by his friend's words. "You know well enough I only
+asked a friendly service of one whose clear judgment I prize above
+my 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 obliging
+you. 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 making
+my 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 in
+your life, that I have forgotten to tell you about the change in my
+own. You are not the only person on whom fortune smiles. I have been
+offered and have accepted the post of private secretary to the newly
+appointed Governor-General of our Indian possessions. Besides the high
+salary, and the excellent opportunity of travelling to Java in such a
+comfortable way, my future prospects are so promising that I could not
+for a moment resist the temptation to go. It is much more agreeable to
+me than vegetating in a provincial town, on the look-out for ill-paid
+lawsuits or some legal appointment. I expatriate myself for a year
+or two, to return with all the importance of an Eastern nabob,"
+continued Verheyst, with a faint attempt at a jest which evidently
+did 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 enjoyment
+of my fortune were bound up with you--we were to shoot, hunt, and
+travel together."
+
+"What about your wife?" asked William.
+
+"My first condition would have been that she must treat my friend
+kindly."
+
+"It is all the better; you should not be under the necessity of making
+any such conditions. Possibly you may have difficulties enough to
+overcome, without my standing in the way."
+
+"Really, William, I feel inclined to refuse the fortune, and go to
+Java with you."
+
+"Nonsense, man, pluck up your courage, and trust to those feelings of
+honour and delicacy of which your present scruples only afford me a
+new proof. She may turn out to be a pearl of a wife, this young lady
+whom you are requested to enchase in gold. By the way, do you know
+her 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 will
+give me all necessary information about General von Zwenken and his
+granddaughter Francis Mordaunt."
+
+"Mordaunt! Is her name Francis Mordaunt?" exclaimed Verheyst, in a
+tone of surprise and disappointment.
+
+"Yes, don't you like the name? or have you heard it before?" asked
+Leopold, all in a breath, for the serious looks of his friend
+alarmed him.
+
+"Heard it before! Well, yes--indeed, often, as that of an English
+officer on half-pay who some years ago lived in my province; a man
+against 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 opinion
+from gossiping reports. What I have heard may not be correct; but
+if it be so, I cannot hide from you what it would only disturb your
+peace of mind to know. Therefore, I say, make your own inquiries,
+seek information from people you can trust, and trust only your own
+observations and experience."
+
+"Is she deformed? Is she a fright?" asked Leopold, growing uneasy.
+
+"No, nothing of that sort; in fact, I believe she is rather
+good-looking--at least, enough so to attract admirers, but----"
+
+"Come now, never falter, man! Give me the coup de grâce at once. Is
+she 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 worst
+you know of her."
+
+"Oh, there's nothing that one can really call bad; yet in your
+eyes it may appear sinister enough. What I have heard is, that an
+acquaintance of ours, a friend of my youngest brother, was madly in
+love with her, and she refused his offer in a manner little encouraging
+for you. According to his account she must be a regular shrew, who
+declines to marry on the grounds that she will acknowledge no man to
+be 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 has
+taken fright and run away--gone off to Africa, as if afraid of meeting
+her 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 the
+richest banker in our part of the country. I don't wish to frighten
+you, 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 a
+woman, only proves her to be a girl of character. I begin to think
+there will be something piquant in this adventure, and I prefer a
+lively young lady to a wearisome, insignificant girl."
+
+"I am glad to hear you take up the subject so pleasantly. I, for my
+part, should not like to be engaged in such a contest, but you are
+morally obliged----"
+
+"In fact, without the obligation, your account has so excited my
+curiosity that I should feel tempted to undertake this conquest. Do
+you see this portrait of the fifteenth century? It is that of one of
+my ancestors who, for the honour of his lady, suffered his left hand
+to be cut off. He was very ugly, and whenever I was naughty or in
+a 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 of
+that order. She said I had the same fierce glance of the eyes when I
+was naughty, and I have since been convinced that she was right. The
+resemblance struck me in a private interview I once had with my uncle,
+the Cabinet Minister. I was accidentally standing before a glass, when
+he upbraided the memory of my dead father, saying he had married a wife
+without fortune, instead of following his (my uncle's) example--using
+his title as a bait with which to catch an heiress. His Excellency saw
+the likeness, too; for he politely turned the conversation, and led me
+to 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. But
+tell 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 her
+fault, poor girl. I must try to improve her, and be both lover and
+schoolmaster to my wife. Who knows--perhaps I must also teach her
+music and dancing!"
+
+"At any rate, you will not have to teach her fencing, for she's already
+an adept at that--at least, according to Charles Felters' report."
+
+"The deuce she is!" exclaimed Leopold, laughing; "that's almost enough
+to 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 where
+she 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 my
+colours, and then she shall retire from military life to settle down
+as a civilian."
+
+"It does me good to see you treat the matter so lightly, for there
+is 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! I
+have been forced to do so under adverse circumstances hitherto. And
+now, my good fellow, let us go and look out for some dinner. I can
+recommend Pyl's Restaurant."
+
+"Why not at the Club?" asked Verheyst; "there we shall meet many
+friends whom I wish to see before my departure."
+
+"I am no longer a member, my dear fellow. After my father's death I
+was obliged to cut down all unnecessary expenses, as my mother had but
+a small pension, and I could bear retrenchment better than a person
+of her age. It is not the subscription, it is the company one meets
+which 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 to
+write a full account of all that should take place during his absence
+in Java, and send to him by mail from time to time. We can only hope
+that this story will prove no less interesting to our readers than
+it 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 am
+entrusting to paper what I would not confide to any living mortal
+but yourself.
+
+My fortune still hangs in the balance. Without doubt the worthy
+testatrix has done everything possible to insure her heritage to me;
+but there are moments when I feel so great a repugnance to it as to
+make me question whether it were not better to renounce it than to
+become the instrument of Miss Roselaer de Werve's vengeance on this
+side the grave. The idea of having to drive a grey-headed old man
+from his manor-house, and to render a poor young lady, who has a
+family claim on her aunt's inheritance, houseless, is too much for
+me, though a whimsical old woman and the law have done their utmost
+to set my conscience at ease.
+
+But to commence my story. The day after you left me, I went over to
+Utrecht to call on the lawyer, Van Beek. Perhaps in the hurry of our
+parting I forgot to tell you this was my intention. At such times a
+man often forgets the most important things he has to say.
+
+The worthy functionary is a short, thin personage, with a tuft of hair
+hanging over his forehead, sharp eyes, a long, thin nose, and thin
+lips 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 tightly
+that 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 the
+intentions of the testatrix did a fine smile play about his mouth--a
+smile which seemed to say: "You've come round, then, at last, though
+you appeared to hesitate at first."
+
+After a few words as to the sudden death of his client, and her
+express wish to be buried as quietly as possible, without the
+attendance of any of her relations, he told me he had been the
+confidential adviser of Lady Roselaer for the last thirty years,
+and was consequently able to give me all necessary information with
+regard to her dealings with General von Zwenken, and her intentions
+in respect of his granddaughter.
+
+I should only weary you if I attempted to relate all the pitiful
+stories of mischief-making and counter-mischief-making with which,
+long before the birth of Francis, the General and Aunt Sophia
+endeavoured to render each other's life miserable. I now comprehend
+that she neither could nor would leave her fortune to such a man,
+and I approve of the course she has taken for Francis' sake, who
+would have been the greatest sufferer if her aunt had not acted with
+so much foresight and prudence. The General is a spendthrift, or,
+to put it in the mildest terms, a bad financier. His affairs, the
+lawyer says--and the lawyer evidently knows more about them than the
+General does himself--are in such a state that, to use an expression
+of Macaulay's, "the whole wealth of the East would not suffice to
+put them in order and keep them so."
+
+Still, does this justify my aunt's inexorable hatred? I am sure, if
+you saw her portrait, you would scarcely believe her capable of it:
+a stately dame in a rich black silk gown, with silvery grey hair under
+a black lace cap, and a string of priceless pearls round her neck--so
+she appears in a painting done in the last year of her life. And this
+she has bequeathed to her legal adviser, because she believed none
+of her relations would be able to look upon it with pleasure. On this
+point, I fancy, she was not far deceived. I myself, her favoured heir,
+honestly confess that much must happen, much be cleared up, before I
+can regard it with any degree of cheerfulness and gratitude, seeing I
+know what a Shylock-spirit once breathed in that thin, slender figure
+of 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. Being
+strictly orthodox himself, he accounts for all her singularities
+by saying they are the outcome of her great admiration of the ideas
+prevalent 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 Correspondence
+in her hand, though she knew this would not be particularly pleasing
+to the future possessor of that portrait.
+
+"Well, well, Jonker," he continued, "since you ask me for the truth
+about the life and actions of your deceased aunt, I must tell you she
+seldom 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 year
+to all sorts of institutions; subscribed liberally to any fund for
+the benefit of the lower classes; but would never give a penny to
+the 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 her
+not to contribute to the increase of a race of hypocrites. You will
+understand that in my position I could not insist further on this
+subject. Besides, she did not make use of her riches for herself,
+except with the greatest economy. She occupied a small villa just
+outside the town of Utrecht, and her beautiful country-seat in
+Gelderland, as well as her magnificent house in town, were both let
+to strangers. She kept but one man-servant, an aged waiting-woman,
+and a cook. The gardener who rented her kitchen-garden supplied her
+with vegetables, and kept her flowers in order. She had no carriage,
+and sometimes did not go out for weeks together. Neither did she
+receive company, denying herself to all visitors except Dr. D., her old
+friend, who made a professional visit every day, and came regularly
+two evenings a week with his married sister to play cards. I saw her
+as often as business affairs rendered it necessary, and once a month
+she invited me, my wife and daughter, to dinner. On these occasions
+Dr. D. and his sister were also invited; but I never remember to
+have 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 man
+with roguish eyes, and beautiful mustachios; and I suspect he made
+love to her à la Voltaire, for she bought drawings of him which she
+never even looked at. He was, otherwise, a good young fellow, with
+a widowed mother to maintain; and the capital she has left is large
+enough to permit of such a freak of fancy----"
+
+"Oh, certainly!" I interrupted, "I am glad that the latter days of
+her monotonous life were cheered by anybody. But what you have told
+me of her views with regard to the Church leads me to doubt whether
+I ought to accept her heritage, since, once in possession of it, I
+shall feel it my duty to make use of her money for purposes directly
+contrary to her wishes."
+
+"I don't think you need have any scruples; for she was very well
+acquainted with the character of Jonker van Zonshoven, and what might
+be expected of him in such matters. Yet you see this did not deter
+her from entrusting her fortune to you. Besides, she was liberal
+enough with regard to the views of other people. Her maid is strictly
+orthodox, and yet every Sunday a carriage was placed at her service
+to convey her to church; and she is left well provided for during
+the rest of her life. It is probable Lady Roselaer considered you
+the person likely to make good what she had left undone either from
+false shame or obstinacy. Had this not been her intention, she was a
+woman 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 is
+situated on the borders of Gelderland and Overyssel, and is surrounded
+by extensive woods, moors, and arable land. It is at present occupied
+by General von Zwenken, and formerly was in the possession of Aunt
+Sophia's parents. To its possession is attached the title of Baron,
+with seignorial rights--rights which in our time are little more than
+nominal, yet to which old Aunt Sophia seems to have attached immense
+value. Her father, old Baron Roselaer van de Werve, had no son (a great
+trial for him, as you may suppose), but three daughters, of whom Aunt
+Sophia 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 to
+the Castle de Werve and the estates attached to it. This arrangement
+was exceedingly offensive to Aunt Sophia, who had expected her father
+to leave the castle to her, and at one time she had good reasons for
+fostering such expectations.
+
+Her eldest sister had been the source of much grief and sorrow to the
+old people. She had secretly entered into a romantic love-engagement
+with a young Swiss officer--then Captain von Zwenken--and considering
+it impossible to obtain the consent of her parents to such a marriage,
+she eloped with Von Zwenken, who took her to Switzerland, where they
+were married. This union, according to Dutch law, and in the opinion
+of Aunt Sophia, was illegal. The weak parents (as Sophia called them),
+however, at length became reconciled to their son-in-law, and when
+the 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 the
+eldest son in the parable. She had never been on good terms with her
+romantic sister; she persisted in regarding her brother-in-law as
+an 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; but
+even these few days were stormy, and sufficed to divide the family
+connexions into two parties, for and against the Von Zwenkens. Aunt
+Sophia's strong point was the irregularity of the marriage, solemnized
+in a foreign country. Those who disagreed with her and recognized
+the Swiss captain as a relation, she looked upon as deadly enemies;
+while those who took her side in the contest were received by Baron
+and Baroness Roselaer with freezing coolness. In a word, it was the
+history of the Montagues and the Capulets re-enacted on a small scale
+in the eighteenth century on Dutch territory. They did not attack each
+other with dagger and poison, but used the tongue for weapon. They
+annoyed, they insulted each other, whenever and wherever they found
+an opportunity; there were hair-splitting disputes, and retaliation
+without truce or pity; and lawsuits followed which swallowed large sums
+of money. A good business for the lawyers, who only made "confusion
+worse confounded."
+
+When old Baroness Roselaer--who always pleaded for peace and
+forgiveness--shortly afterwards died, Sophia thought she would be
+able to exert unlimited influence over her father, as she now became
+the recognized mistress of the house. She even took advantage of
+her position, during the stay of her brother-in-law for the funeral,
+to make him so uncomfortable, that on leaving the house he told the
+old Baron he would never enter it again. Sophia was in triumph. She
+thought she had banished Von Zwenken from the house; but she forgot
+her sister's children, and the joy and pride the old Baron was likely
+to take in a grandson and future heir to his title and estates. Though
+he never talked to Sophia on the subject, he was secretly embittered
+against her as being the cause of this new estrangement, and his great
+pleasure 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's
+will was read, and she found that the Castle de Werve, with its
+seignorial rights, descended to Madame von Zwenken and her children.
+
+It is true she inherited a just share of the property; but the very
+part she loved best, the home of her childhood, where she had been
+brought up, and which she never willingly would have quitted, was
+taken from her and given to the man whom she considered so unworthy
+of it, and so little capable of appreciating the advantages attached
+to its possession. She felt herself slighted, and to this slight
+is to be attributed the restless hatred and unrelenting bitterness
+with which she pursued the General during the rest of her life. She
+declared her brother and sister had worked upon her father's feelings
+by cunning and intrigue; and she would never believe that the old
+Baron had left them the property of his own free-will, or for the
+sake of his grandchildren.
+
+It being now the Captain's opportunity, he ordered her to leave the
+house with all possible speed; and this was the more galling, as he
+did not himself retire from active service and occupy the castle as the
+old Baron had desired him to do. He was changed about from one garrison
+town to another, daily expecting to be ordered on foreign service, and
+therefore unable to derive much enjoyment from his possessions. His
+wife and children would sometimes stay a few weeks at the castle
+in the summer; but the former did not long survive her father. The
+children stayed with Von Zwenken in the garrison, until the daughter
+was old enough to go to a boarding-school in Switzerland, and the son
+to 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 as
+he afterwards proved himself dishonest. The old steward, who had been
+dismissed to make room for this stranger, was immediately engaged by
+Aunt Sophia to stay in the neighbourhood and keep her informed of all
+that happened at the castle. For though she had removed to another
+province in which her own estates were situated, she could neither
+separate her affections nor her thoughts from her old home.
+
+Sometimes the Captain, who had now obtained the rank of Major, would
+come with a party of friends for the shooting, but he never seemed to
+observe that the whole place was going to rack and ruin. Further, he
+was always in want of money; and when his daughter married an English
+officer, Sir John Mordaunt, he was obliged to sell a considerable
+part of his estates, so as to be able to give her the portion of the
+fortune left her by her mother.
+
+He had already several mortgages on the property, and as his son led a
+wild life at college these went on increasing from year to year; until,
+when at last on obtaining his colonel's pension and the honorary rank
+of general he was able to retire to the Castle de Werve, all he could
+call 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, besides
+inheriting largely from a rich cousin who had taken her part in the
+family quarrel.
+
+As the proverb says, "hatred has four eyes," and so she, making use
+of the information obtained from the old steward, appointed a lawyer
+to buy up on her behalf all the land sold by the General. This lawyer
+had further instructions to advance money on the mortgages, and to
+exact the interest with the greatest promptitude. In this way my
+aunt became so well acquainted with Von Zwenken's money difficulties,
+that she could calculate the day, nay, even the hour, when he would
+be at her mercy.
+
+At last, imagining the favourable moment had arrived, she sent a lawyer
+to offer him a much larger sum for the castle and the seignorial
+rights than any one else would be likely to give, seeing that she
+was secretly in possession of the surrounding estates.
+
+The General's answer was to this effect: "He would not sell the
+seignorial rights at any price; and as for the castle, he had promised
+his deceased wife to keep her sister out of it at all costs, and he
+would rather see it fall about his ears than that Miss Sophia Roselaer
+should ever set foot inside it again."
+
+Poor man, he little knew how much she had him in her power, and all
+the precautions she had taken. Otherwise he would have reflected
+twice before sending such an answer. Something suddenly occurred
+which obliged him to mortgage even the house itself--the cause is a
+mystery--and now Aunt Sophia might have been revenged; but for some
+inexplicable reason she countermanded her orders to Van Beek, who
+does not himself know why. Just before her death she sent for him to
+change 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 the
+invitation.
+
+In the course of the conversation Van Beek said--
+
+"The country seat, Runenburg, will be at your disposal on the 31st
+of 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. They
+are very respectable people. How am I to act in the matter?"
+
+I stared at him in surprise and perplexity. Such a strange feeling
+came 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 was
+paid), 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 until
+the 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 legal
+interpretation of the will."
+
+"Would you not like to see the house whilst you are in Utrecht? It
+is 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 my
+aunt lived: from its surroundings I may be able to obtain a better
+idea of her character."
+
+"Oh, with pleasure, Jonker! I thought I had already told you," began
+Van Beek, somewhat embarrassed, "that the old lady had bequeathed
+it to me, on condition her maid should occupy it as long as she
+lives. It is a splendid legacy; that I do not deny. But consider,
+I have served her thirty years in all kinds of business, some of
+which cost me much trouble and loss of time. And I may remind you
+that 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 serve
+him to the best of my ability by my counsel."
+
+"My dear sir," I rejoined, "it was to be expected that aunt would
+treat you generously. It is not my intention to dispute any of her
+bequests. It will be a sort of pilgrimage for me."
+
+"We will drive there at once after luncheon. It is only half an hour's
+distance from the town."
+
+I must confess the interior of my aunt's dwelling did not enable me to
+gather any new ideas of the strange personage who once occupied it. The
+old waiting-woman received us with coolness, and chanted the praises
+of her late mistress in pious terms. The young cook shed a torrent
+of 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 come
+there to cut off his legacy. The house was furnished in a moderately
+comfortable style, most of the furniture being of the good solid
+sort common in the reign of King William I., though there had been
+an attempt to imitate the style of the First French Empire. There was
+only one sofa in the house, and one armchair à la Voltaire, in which
+Miss Roselaer reposed herself for just one hour after dinner every
+day. 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. I
+pointed out to Van Beek that I should like to possess this small
+but well-selected library. All the books are beautifully though not
+showily 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 the
+side of Goethe and Schiller, and the plays of Iffland and Kotzebue.
+
+This was the first moment of unalloyed pleasure I have felt since I
+came into my fortune, when I once more cast my eyes over the library
+and beheld it with all the pride of ownership. I involuntarily put
+forth my hand to snatch up one of the volumes, as if I thereby wished
+to signify I was taking possession. Van Beek smiled and twinkled his
+cunning little eyes; but the maid, who was standing by, looked at me
+as though I had committed a sacrilege.
+
+"I should rather have thought the Jonker would have preferred my
+lady'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 as
+a memento."
+
+"Oh no, Jonker! such a worldly, new-fashioned book I would not have
+in my possession. I can't look upon it as God's word; and I could
+never understand how my lady found edification in it."
+
+"What's the matter with the Bible?" I asked Van Beek as we left
+the house.
+
+"Nothing, absolutely nothing. It is an ordinary States-Bible, only
+not printed in the old-fashioned German type." [2]
+
+Upon my word, I thought aunt must indeed have been pretty
+liberal-minded to have put up with so bigoted a servant for so
+many years.
+
+The next day I set out for the small town of Zutphen, which is within
+an 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 introduction
+to his friend Overberg, a lawyer in Zutphen, and I called upon this
+worthy man of the law as soon as I arrived in the town. This Overberg
+was the agent of my old Aunt Roselaer in these quarters, and it was
+through his good management of her affairs that she gradually obtained
+possession of Von Zwenken's property, as the General usually borrowed
+money of Overberg. After all, the General was more fortunate than
+if he had fallen into the hands of usurers, who, speculating on his
+weakness, would have ruined him in a much shorter time. Overberg had
+advised the General to accept the offer of his sister-in-law--with
+what result you already know. For this reason he recommended me,
+if I wished to obtain a kindly reception at the Castle, not to
+present myself there as the heir to Miss Roselaer's property; such
+an introduction being calculated to raise a prejudice against me
+from the first. Therefore I decided to present myself as a relation
+anxious to make the acquaintance of the family.
+
+Seizing the opportunity, I began to question Overberg about Miss
+Mordaunt.
+
+"I have only spoken to her once," he said; "the General always comes
+to see me in person. She is never seen in the town now. Once, indeed,
+whilst the General was still commandant of the garrison here, she
+came to consult me on a matter personal to herself, but that is a
+long time ago."
+
+The good-natured lawyer, though ignorant of my matrimonial plans,
+doubtless read disappointment in my face, for he resumed, as if to
+excuse the meagreness of his information--
+
+"You see, sir, the General then lived in grand style; and a wide
+distinction was also made in society between the military and the
+bourgeoisie. I was a widower, my time fully occupied, and I seldom went
+into society. Since my second marriage, however, we have parties and
+dinners enough--and that reminds me my wife has a soirée this evening;
+several young ladies who know Miss Mordaunt are invited. Will you spend
+the evening with us? You can leave tomorrow early for the Werve. I will
+introduce you to the company as a gentleman looking out for a villa in
+our neighbourhood; for as you know, in a small town like ours, it is
+necessary to give a reason for your appearance among us, otherwise one
+will be invented--and such inventions are not always of a flattering
+kind. I can easily give the conversation a turn so as to cause it to
+fall 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 agreeably
+than 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 his
+business and the way to treat his clients politely and persuasively;
+he always discourages lawsuits, recommends delay and an attempt at an
+arrangement, and thus quietly brings about the desired result without,
+as it were, seeming to interfere. Aunt Sophia respected him highly for
+his discretion and foresight, though she took care never to let him
+see through her intentions, since he was not the man to take sharp
+and decisive measures. For any such business she employed Van Beek,
+who is a man to carry out the law to the letter, without feeling any
+pity for the sufferer.
+
+It was therefore in keeping with Overberg's character that he
+recommended me to temporize with the General, to give him time to
+pay his debts, and not to drive such an old man to despair, though
+he was a foreigner. The good man little knew he was preaching to one
+who already shared his views, and whose inmost wish was to deal as
+gently as possible with Von Zwenken.
+
+I must acknowledge that what I heard at the soirée did not make a
+favourable impression on me. The past life of the young lady must
+have been a singular one, if there be any truth in the gossip I heard
+about 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 criticising
+their neighbours.
+
+But, however, you must judge for yourself from what follows.
+
+Among the ladies to whom I was introduced was a charming young
+widow with jet-black eyes and lively features; she is a niece of
+the Roselaers, I am told, and at first I felt very sorry her name
+was not Francis Mordaunt, the niece-elect of Aunt Sophia. However,
+when Overberg had drawn her out a little on the subject of the Von
+Zwenkens, I felt exceedingly glad to think our acquaintance would
+not extend beyond the present evening.
+
+I began to feel a most intense hatred against her, so unmercifully
+did she attack poor Francis.
+
+"Yes, they had been well acquainted when her grandfather was commandant
+of the garrison, and she herself had visited at the house of the
+Colonel. But no, friendship had never existed between her and the
+young lady; she was too eccentric and ill-mannered. Just imagine,
+Jonker, she came to our house one evening when she knew there was to
+be dancing and music. Yes, she dropped in, as nonchalant as possible,
+in a dark merino dress, fastened up to the neck, with a turn-down
+collar and a silk neckerchief--just for all the world like a boy. And
+her boots--they might have belonged to some plough-boy. Upon my word,
+I believe there were nails in the soles; a non-commissioned officer
+would not have been so rude as to enter a salon in them."
+
+"Perhaps she had made a mistake about the evening," I said, by way
+of excuse.
+
+"Certainly not! She received her invitation a week beforehand. Surely
+that was time enough to get a ball-dress made. And it was not because
+she hadn't got any other dresses; for two days afterwards she came
+to a house where we were invited to spend a quiet evening, en grande
+toilette, a low dress (as if she expected to be invited to dance),
+and resplendent with jewellery and diamonds. Now I ask you if that
+was not done to annoy us and to wound our feelings?"
+
+"It seems to me she took more trouble to do honour to the ladies than
+she 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, dressed
+in an old-fashioned style, who I should have thought would have been
+the last person to come to the defence of a sex that had so clearly
+neglected her.
+
+"And the gentlemen--no doubt they reciprocated her nonchalance?" I
+asked. "It is very probable she was left in the company of the elderly
+ladies all the evening to increase the number of 'wall flowers.'"
+
+"Yes! but it was because she wished it," replied the widow. "She
+would be sure of partners, though she were never such a fright. All
+the young officers are, as a matter of course, obliged 'to do the
+amiable' to the granddaughter of their colonel. Moreover, Francis
+Mordaunt is mistress of the art of attracting or repelling as it
+pleases her. Notwithstanding all her strange whims and caprices,
+she is never at a loss for a partner, and the moment she enters any
+ball-room she becomes the observed of all observers. The gentlemen
+flock 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 out
+her smart repartees, and the unladylike answers which have made her
+so 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!" I
+could not help remarking.
+
+"That is not strange, Jonker! The peculiar manner she has adopted to
+render herself noticeable is just the one our sex cannot suffer. In
+all her victories we saw a defeat; the good tone was lost."
+
+"And how did the party pass off for Miss Mordaunt in that curious
+dress?" I inquired, for I had less interest in carrying on a combat
+d'esprit with the vicious little widow than in drawing out a more
+complete sketch of Francis' character, though it might be coloured
+by slander.
+
+"Just as she wished it, I believe. In the early part of the evening
+she was somewhat neglected, and this was evidently her wish, for she
+did nothing to prevent it; on the contrary, she had told the hostess
+that 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 said
+that lest afterwards she should feel ashamed of herself at the close
+of the party, in case no one invited her to dance."
+
+"In fact, it requires more moral courage than the gentlemen in these
+parts 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 the
+unfortunate leader of the dance had to sacrifice himself. Lieutenant
+Wilibald, 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 the
+contrary, she was so recalcitrant, so inattentive and so awkward,
+that she often caused confusion, and her partner had the greatest
+difficulty to rectify her mistakes. Indeed, the polite young officer
+was pitied by the whole company, and the more so because it was known
+that he was sacrificing himself to a sense of duty; for he was engaged
+to a charming young lady who had been prevented from attending the
+ball by a recent death in the family."
+
+"Pardon, madame; permit me to say that your representation of the
+facts is not quite correct," interrupted Captain Sanders, in whose
+favour I immediately became prepossessed on account of his serious
+and earnest look. "Allow me to set you right as to facts, for I am
+a friend of Lieutenant Wilibald's, and I know he would be sorry if
+what you have said should go forth to the world as truth. It was by
+no means a disagreeable task for him to lead out Miss Mordaunt in any
+dress she chose to appear in, for he was too much in love with her
+to notice such small matters as dress. Yes, I venture to say, if it
+had depended on him alone he would not have married the woman he has;
+but he was forced by circumstances, and Miss Mordaunt did her utmost
+to promote the marriage and to put him in possession of a fortune."
+
+I inwardly thanked the Captain for his chivalrous defence of the
+absent, and I would gladly have taken him by the hand and done so
+publicly, but that this would have prevented my hearing more on the
+subject of Francis.
+
+"And has Miss Mordaunt been married since?" I asked, trying to put
+the question as disinterestedly as possible.
+
+"Why, no!" cried the elderly spinster with a triumphant smile. "So
+far as we know (and we know pretty well everything that happens in
+our circle), she has never had an offer."
+
+"Ah! that is very strange; a young lady who seems to be possessed of
+so many attractions," I observed.
+
+"That's not at all strange," interrupted the little widow, in a
+coquettish, sentimental tone. "It was never difficult for her to
+attract admirers and flatterers for the moment, but it is only by
+the heart that a woman wins true affection and esteem; and, with the
+Captain's permission, no one could ever believe Francis Mordaunt to
+be in earnest, for she has no heart--she never cared for anything
+but horses and dogs."
+
+"You forget her grandfather!" pleaded the Captain.
+
+"Well, yes, she has been his idol; but this very fact has turned out
+her 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 the
+elderly spinster who again began the attack.) "He could roar at his
+officers, but he was afraid of a scene with Francis."
+
+"Excuse me for once more contradicting you, miss. Colonel von Zwenken
+never roared at his officers--this I know by experience; but it is
+true he was conspicuous by his absence when Francis Mordaunt went
+into society. He suffered her to go out when she liked, and with whom
+she liked. Alas! he sat at the card table in his club whilst Francis
+by 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 Captain
+Sanders may say, we are not making her conduct appear worse than it
+is; we are only speaking of it as it struck us at the time."
+
+"That everybody must acknowledge," said an old lady, who had thus far
+listened with sparkling eyes. "Only remember what talk her conduct
+gave rise to when she met the stranger staying at the 'Golden Salmon,'
+by appointment, unknown to the Colonel, who had forbidden the man his
+house! Did she not set all our ideas of good breeding at defiance by
+walking in the plantation in open daylight with a perfect stranger."
+
+"In fact, I am assured she pawned her diamonds to pay his hotel
+bill. She even wished to sell them, for she asked a friend of mine
+to buy them."
+
+Overberg's healthy, blooming face turned pale; but he said nothing. The
+Captain, however, spoke again--
+
+"It is only too true she would risk all to attain her ends, if she
+had once set her mind on a thing."
+
+"And that for a person who went to a third-rate hotel--did not even
+give his own name, as it was said afterwards; and who certainly was
+a sharper or a coiner."
+
+"If such had been the case, the police would have looked after him
+sharp," interposed Overberg.
+
+"That is my opinion also," said the Captain; "and I think Wilibald
+Smeekens was right. He said it was some one who had formerly committed
+a breach of military discipline, and whom she out of pity wished to
+assist in getting out of the country."
+
+"Ahem! out of pity," said the old lady. "Young ladies should be careful
+how they show such pity--carrying on an intrigue. I can assure you
+that at the time it was a question whether we ought not to banish
+her from our society."
+
+"But no one dared to pronounce the sentence of banishment," said the
+Captain, "for fear of the Colonel, who had it in his power to refuse
+the military music for the balls and open-air concerts in summer. And
+this he certainly would have done if he had known what was hatching
+against his granddaughter. But the ladies were more prudent; they
+pulled poor Francis to pieces behind her back."
+
+"With this result," added the elderly spinster, "that of her own
+accord she almost entirely withdrew from our society."
+
+"No, there is another reason," said the widow, with a significant
+shake of the head; "it was not our treatment, but her own conscience
+which pricked her after that affair with her coachman."
+
+"Yes, you are quite right; that was a sad affair," assented the
+Captain, 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 words
+stuck in my throat; I felt as if they would choke me. The postmaster,
+however, who had just entered the room, put the question, which the
+tongues of the ladies were quivering with impatience to answer.
+
+"Unfortunately, no one knows the exact particulars," began the elderly
+spinster, whose shrill, sharp voice made itself heard above the rest;
+"but it is generally believed she wished to make her coachman elope
+with her. Possibly she might have succeeded, but the man was already
+married, and when that became known----"
+
+"She pitched him off the box whilst the horses were going at a furious
+rate," put in the old lady, with a demoniacal smile of pleasure.
+
+"Others who are supposed to know, say she struck him dead with the
+whip," added the little widow, who must have her say. "Horrible! most
+horrible!" she continued, turning up her eyes with mock sentimentality.
+
+Yes, horrible indeed, thought I, when both young ladies and old vie
+with each other in a wicked desire to give the coup de grâce to one
+of their own sex who has erred, or, may be, only taken one false step
+in 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 lies
+in the churchyard."
+
+"Yes, now you've got the truth without any figures of speech," jested
+the widow; "and with him the crime is buried, and hushed up for ever."
+
+"With your permission, ladies, had there been a question of anything
+of 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 a
+great friend of the Colonel's, plays cards with him every evening,
+and to palliate the affair, and silence public indignation, he made
+an official visit to the commandant's house. Francis Mordaunt was
+examined, and, as might be expected beforehand, came out of the
+affair 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 you
+mean 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 to
+keep quiet. Such people are easily frightened. One thing, however,
+is certain, and that is, Major Frank has not dared to show her face
+in our circle since; and besides this, it seems to have been the
+cause of her grandfather retiring from the service."
+
+"He had attained the age to be put on the retired list," said the
+Captain; "and with his pension he obtained the honorary rank of
+General."
+
+"Be that as it may, the General retired from the world to Castle de
+Werve," 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 regard
+to the shooting," said Overberg; "for the General has not renewed his
+shooting license and has leased the shooting over his own estates to
+a client of mine, who, however, leaves the hares and partridges in
+perfect peace."
+
+This latter remark led to a long conversation amongst the gentlemen
+about the shooting and fishing in the neighbourhood, whilst the ladies
+set 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 made
+a deep impression on my mind. Taking me aside, he whispered in my ear--
+
+"We will talk this subject over to-morrow morning before your
+departure; in the meantime don't let it trouble you. You know the
+proverb: 'The devil's not so black as he is painted.'"
+
+It was easy for him to talk; but, alas! he knew not yet the reasons
+I had for being so deeply interested in this young lady.
+
+I passed a restless night. In the morning, when the carriage I had
+ordered over-night drove up to the door, I was still debating in
+my own mind whether I should go to the Werve, or tell my driver to
+take me to the nearest station and return to the Hague. After a few
+minutes, however, Overberg made his appearance, and accosted me in
+the following words--
+
+"I believe I have guessed your noble intention, which is to make the
+acquaintance of Miss Mordaunt, and, if she please you, to remove all
+difficulties in the most amiable manner possible. I cannot tell you how
+praiseworthy, how wise and sensible, your plan seems to me; but what
+surprises me is that the testatrix never suggested it to you, she being
+a 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 it
+from you--and it was my intention to follow her advice. But what I
+heard last night has quite changed my mind on that point."
+
+"Nonsense! Never let gossip have any influence over you. Remember
+that people living in a small town are possessed by the evil spirit
+of slander, and furthermore, that they express their opinions in a
+very crude manner."
+
+"That's all well and good; but in a small town where every one is
+known by his neighbour, people would not dare to calumniate and
+slander each other without grounds."
+
+"I will not attempt to contradict your statement; but let me remind
+you that certain uncommon occurrences and eccentric acts on the part
+of a young lady may be explained in different ways, and why should
+you believe the worse account of them, coloured as it certainly is by
+envy, hatred, and malice. I willingly confess I could not contradict
+all that was said about Miss Mordaunt last night; my business has
+always been with her grandfather, who speaks of her in the highest
+terms. For this reason I could not foresee that the ladies would be so
+severe on her conduct. Otherwise I should have avoided the subject, and
+made 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 so
+often seen the most wicked accusations burst like a soap-bubble when
+submitted to the touchstone of cross-examination, that now I believe
+nothing which I have not seen with my own eyes, or for which I have
+not proofs equal to the same."
+
+"Then with regard to the diamonds, you have some certain proofs?" I
+asked.
+
+"You are right; I was engaged in that business. The young lady required
+more money than the goldsmith was willing to advance on them; and they
+were never offered for sale unless he took such a liberty during the
+hour 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 the
+diamonds or accept the interest on the money she lent; consequently
+the 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 one
+with). What the relationship between them was I am unable to say. The
+stranger only stayed four days in the village, and I did not see
+him myself. Of course I have heard the flying reports. Some people
+say 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 latter
+account may also be true, for, as you know, a woman's sympathy is
+often bestowed on the most undeserving creatures."
+
+"With regard to the coachman, you must allow her womanly sympathy
+does not show itself in a favourable light," I interposed, with a
+certain bitterness in my tone.
+
+"I am unacquainted with the facts of that case. Still, I fancy it is
+far from such a bad case as the amiable ladies made it out to be; and
+in your place I should not suffer it to interfere with my projected
+visit to the Werve. Miss Mordaunt has been accused, in my presence,
+of brusque manners, imprudent behaviour, and so forth; but she is
+renowned for her plain and straightforward dealing, which has brought
+her into disrepute with her female friends, they preferring to say
+the most impertinent things in the blandest tone possible. I am sure
+you 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 with
+the General to arrange matters will be absolutely necessary."
+
+There was no refuting Overberg's line of argument. I confessed to
+myself that it would be unfair on my part to form an opinion until
+after a personal interview and further inquiries. So, accepting his
+advice, I stepped into the carriage, and ordered the driver to take
+the road to the Castle de Werve.
+
+The morning was raw and cold, without sun, and the air was so heavy
+that I did not know whether to expect snow or hail. At the toll-bar
+my driver made inquiries about a short cut through a lane planted
+with poplars, which would bring us out near the "fir wood."
+
+As the country was very monotonous, and there was nothing to attract
+my attention, I sank into deep thought, and began arranging a plan for
+my conduct on first meeting with my cousin, a little speech to be made
+when I was presented to her, and so forth. But then it occurred to me
+that our best-laid schemes are generally thrown into confusion by the
+circumstances of the event: how much more likely was this to be the
+case 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 a
+standstill, and the driver pointed out to me that the lane terminated
+in a half-circle--he had taken the lane on the wrong side of the
+wood. Whilst speaking we heard a horse galloping behind us, and in
+another 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 do
+you 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 the
+Castle as soon as possible. A few minutes later, however, he had got
+his carriage on such marshy ground that he was obliged to request me
+to 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 on
+the outskirts of the wood, and separated from the ploughed cornfields
+by a half-dry ditch, luxuriantly overgrown with all kinds of marsh
+plants. On our right was a heath; on the left potato fields. There
+was not a soul to be seen, and on consulting my watch I found it was
+just twelve o'clock. Consequently all the farm labourers had gone
+home 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 in
+the 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 a
+good view of her; and I cannot say that this first sight reconciled
+me to the person who had already caused me so many disagreeable
+emotions. Perhaps it was not her fault; but she was dressed in such
+a strange manner that at first sight I was doubtful whether a man
+or a woman stood before me. She had gathered up her riding-habit in
+a way that reminded me of Zouave trousers, and she had, besides, put
+on a wide cloak made of some long-haired material--which was doubtless
+very useful this sharp, cold spring day, but which, buttoned up to her
+throat, was not adapted to show off the beauty of her form if she was
+really well-shaped. Her head-gear consisted of a gray billy-cock hat
+with a soft, downward-bent brim, ornamented with a bunch of cock's
+feathers negligently fastened with a green ribbon--just as if she
+really wished to imitate the wild huntsman of the fairy tale. And then,
+because it was rather windy, she had tied a red silk handkerchief over
+her hat and fastened it under her chin. She wore no veil. As far as I
+could judge of her appearance, she seemed to be rather delicately built
+and slim, with a fine Roman nose. Still, I was not in the humour to be
+agreeably impressed by a face convulsed with laughter, and bandaged
+up as if she had the toothache. Her laugh sounded to my ears like
+a provocation, and rendered me little inclined to be courteous to a
+woman who had so evidently forgotten all feminine self-respect.
+
+"Listen," I cried--"listen for a moment, you who are rejoicing so
+much at your neighbour's distress. You would do better to direct us
+on our way."
+
+"There is no way. I should have thought you could see that. Any one
+who 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 ditch
+yonder. Imitate me if you feel inclined, though I fear with your horse
+and 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 approaching
+me as nearly as she could on the opposite side of the ditch. "What
+is your business at the Castle, sir?" she inquired, in quite another
+tone, 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 say
+to his granddaughter you can address to me. I am Freule Mordaunt."
+
+"I can scarcely believe it; but, if so, may I request Freule Mordaunt
+to appoint a more suitable place than this. What I have got to say
+cannot be shouted across a ditch in the presence of a third person."
+
+"Then you must drive back to the toll-bar. There they will direct
+you 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 all
+visitors, my little Major," I thought to myself. "But now's my
+opportunity, and I will not let it slip me."
+
+So, giving orders to the driver to go on to the village and wait
+for me there, I took my stout walking-stick, fixed it as firmly as
+I could in the muddy bottom of the ditch, and reached the opposite
+side 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 know
+the way, you run the risk of getting lost again."
+
+"You forget that I have a claim on your company for the rest of
+the way."
+
+"A claim! how do you make that out?"
+
+"Miss Mordaunt promised me an interview; is it strange that I should
+seize the first occasion that offers?"
+
+"I don't even know the way myself. My horse has lost a shoe, and I
+have left him at the game-keeper's, so I shall have to get home as
+well as I can without assistance. Have you really business at the
+Castle? I can assure you the General has an aversion to visitors!"
+
+"I wish to make his acquaintance and yours, as I am staying in the
+neighbourhood, and I, remember, I am related to the family Von Zwenken
+by my mother's side."
+
+"So much the worse for you. At the Castle relationship is a bad
+recommendation."
+
+"That I have already heard; but I am not a Roselaer, I am a Van
+Zonshoven, Freule--Leopold van Zonshoven," I said, introducing myself.
+
+"I have never heard the name before. However, as you are not a Roselaer
+you perhaps stand a better chance of a kind reception. But is it
+quite certain you do not come to trouble the General about business?"
+
+"In that case I should have sent a lawyer, with orders not to
+inconvenience Miss Mordaunt."
+
+"Then you would have done wrong," she rejoined, becoming serious. "The
+General is over seventy, and has had a life full of trouble; and I will
+not try to conceal from you that he has many cares and difficulties
+to contend with even now. It is for this reason I desire you to
+tell me without reserve the object of your visit. Perhaps I can find
+some means----"
+
+"I protest to you that my greatest desire is to assist you in sparing
+your grandfather all annoyance."
+
+"The sentiment does you honour, but it leads me to doubt your
+relationship, for it is contrary to all our family traditions."
+
+"There are exceptions to every rule, as you know, and I hope to prove
+myself an exception in your family traditions."
+
+"Then you shall be welcome at the Werve also by exception, for as a
+rule we admit no new faces."
+
+"That's a pity; for I cannot think it is your wish to live in such
+isolation."
+
+"Quite my wish!" she interposed, with a certain haughtiness. "I
+have had sufficient experience of mankind to make me care little for
+their society."
+
+"So young, and already such a misanthrope--afraid of the world!" I
+observed.
+
+"I am not so very young--I am turned twenty-six; and the campaign
+years, as grandfather calls them, count double. You may speak to me
+as though I were a woman of forty. I have quite as much experience
+of life."
+
+"Ladies talk like that when they wish to be contradicted."
+
+"Ladies!" she cried, with ineffable contempt. "I very earnestly
+request you not to include me in the category of beings commonly
+denominated ladies."
+
+"In which category must I put you? For, to tell the truth, at first
+sight I did not know what to call you."
+
+"I believe you," she said, with a little laugh; "for to any one who
+does not know me I must appear very odd. But, tell me, what did you
+take me for at first sight--for an apparition of the wild huntsman?"
+
+"An apparition! Certainly not; that's too ethereal. I took you for
+a sad reality--a gamekeeper suffering from toothache."
+
+She seemed piqued for a moment, her cheeks coloured, and she bit
+her lips.
+
+"That's rude," she said at last, and glanced at me with scintillating
+eyes.
+
+"You asked for the truth," I rejoined.
+
+"So I did; and you shall find I can endure the truth. Give me your
+hand, cousin; I think we shall become good friends."
+
+"I hope so, cousin. But don't be generous by halves: let me touch
+your hand, and not that rough riding-glove."
+
+"You are a fastidious fellow," she said, shaking her head; "but you
+shall have your way. There."
+
+And a beautiful white hand lay in mine, which I held a minute longer
+than was absolutely necessary. She did not seem to perceive it.
+
+"But call me Francis; I shall call you Leo. The endless repetition
+of 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 great
+insult 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 this
+nickname. I am neither better nor worse for it. I know, also, that I
+am 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 not
+according to the latest fashions."
+
+"But a woman should try to please others in her way of dressing. In
+my opinion, a woman's first duty is to make herself agreeable. Can
+we 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 have
+put on this shaggy cloak to protect me from the east winds?" she
+demanded sharply.
+
+"I do not judge from that single article of dress; I am referring to
+the ensemble, and one gets a bad opinion of a young lady's taste when
+she 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 easily
+remedied, if the wind will respect my billycock;" and hereupon she
+untied the handkerchief and unpinned her riding-habit.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+As she stepped forward, the long train of her riding-habit added
+to the beauty of her slender figure. Now, indeed, I could see that
+she was not ugly, though she had done her best to render herself
+unattractive. It is true her features were sharp and irregular,
+but neither rude nor coarse. In her face there was an expression of
+haughtiness and firmness, that spoke loudly of conscientious strength
+and independent character. It was clear that she had struggled and
+suffered a good deal, without allowing it to rob her of her natural
+cheerfulness and good spirits. Her large blue eyes expressed an
+open-heartedness which inspired confidence. That they could gleam
+with indignation, or glow with enthusiasm, I had already experienced.
+
+She walked along with considerable difficulty, for her dress caused
+her to trip at almost every step. I offered her my arm, but she
+refused 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 not
+laughing at you personally; but I am always so tickled when I see
+the 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 it
+you are so embittered against my sex?"
+
+"Major Frank," she answered, "has but too often had occasion to study
+the character of men."
+
+"That is to say, that after over-confidence in the brilliant uniforms
+which have proved deceptive, Major Frank has decided to revenge
+herself on civilians as well as military men."
+
+"You are quite mistaken. Major Frank is acquainted with all the
+ranks from corporal to general; and in civil life she has had an
+opportunity of studying men wearing court dress, decorations, and
+orders. And this is the conclusion she has come to: that discipline
+is 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 you
+are a perfect stranger in these parts, Leopold. But you need not
+trouble 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 have
+been told you by slanderous tongues. Therefore I will not take offence
+at what you have said; but I request you not to think so meanly of me
+as to believe I would sacrifice my name and my person on the altar
+of Mammon, and make a mariage de raison--the most unreasonable and
+immoral 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 against
+these?" she cried, vehemently. "No, Leopold van Zonshoven, when
+you once know Francis Mordaunt, you will find she does not fear
+calumniators, and that she disdains to seek protection from them in
+the way you recommend!"
+
+"Forewarned is forearmed," and I now understood that it behoved me to
+proceed cautiously. Still I determined to try a ruse of war. Looking
+her steadfastly in the face, I said--
+
+"And suppose my visit to the Werve were expressly for the purpose of
+seeking your hand in marriage?"
+
+"My hand! It is not true you come with such a purpose!" she exclaimed
+in 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 simply
+leave you where you are, in the middle of the heath, to find your
+way 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 object
+in visiting the Castle, your answer would not stop me. I am obstinate
+enough myself; but, as I would not willingly wound the feelings of
+any lady (pardon me the use of this word), I should take good care
+not 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 your
+kind of pleasantry."
+
+In another instant a gust of wind carried away her felt hat, and then
+her net, causing her golden hair to fall over her shoulders in rich
+profusion. At this moment I thought her worthy to sit for a Madonna. I
+could not believe my eyes, or rather I could not remove my eyes from
+her, so much was I struck with wonder and admiration. She doubtless
+read her triumph in my looks, and seemed for an instant to enjoy
+it. 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 were
+nailed to the ground, instead of running after my hat."
+
+I did not suffer her to say this twice, but, running after the
+ugly old hat, caught it just before it could disappear in one of
+the sand pits. She followed me, but unfortunately caught the train
+of her riding-habit in a bush, which tripped her, and caused her to
+fall with her beautiful locks of hair amongst the briers. At first
+she refused all assistance, but in the end she was obliged to let me
+disentangle her hair--a circumstance which annoyed her much more than
+the accident itself. I knelt beside her, and heaven knows with what
+care I loosened one lock after the other. This, however, was a work
+of time, as she was very impatient, and her struggles were every now
+and then undoing the little I had accomplished.
+
+"Now you see into what a predicament your precious advice has brought
+me; how much more practical my own arrangement was! The handkerchief
+looked inelegant, if you like, but it would have prevented me this
+trouble. Why did I swerve from my principles? Why was I led astray
+by other people's ideas?"
+
+At last I could say, "You are free!" at the same time holding out
+my hand to assist her in rising. But no, she would have no further
+aid from me; and bounding up like a hart, requested me to walk on
+in front whilst she arranged her dress. She was not long about it,
+and when she overtook me the hateful handkerchief was tied round her
+hat 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 yourself
+by 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 afraid
+you would mock me and pay me back in my own coin."
+
+As we walked on we continued to discuss the subject of female
+propriety, she claiming the right to live according to her own ideas,
+without any regard for public opinion; I maintaining that reserve
+and gentleness are more becoming in a woman, from every point of
+view, than trying to set public opinion at defiance. She, however,
+interrupted the conversation by pointing out the Werve to me as soon
+as we came in sight of it.
+
+"Now," she said, "I request you to tell me plainly the object of your
+visit to the General, before I introduce you to the house."
+
+"I have already told you: I wish to make the acquaintance of my
+mother's relations."
+
+"I shall feel better satisfied," she rejoined, "if you will promise
+me not to trouble the poor old gentleman about business matters."
+
+I had no difficulty in conscientiously giving such a promise. Then
+Francis continued--
+
+"I must also warn you the General is not alone. We have a certain
+Captain Rolf, an old pensioned officer, quartered at the Werve; he
+is 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 his
+company. Our way of treating each other may surprise you, perhaps
+annoy you. Even when I was a child he called me his colonel, and flew
+anywhere at a wink from me; and he does so still, though his movements
+have been rendered more tardy by his stiff legs and rheumatism. Fishing
+is his favourite amusement since he has been obliged to give up
+shooting. I employ him as my gamekeeper; and when the cook is ill,
+he prefers frying a beefsteak and making the soup himself, to going
+on short commons. In fact, he is a gastronome, and since he obtained
+his pension his whole time seems to be occupied with the grand
+question: 'What shall we eat to day?' And, alas! grandfather is no
+less interested in the same subject, so that most of their morning
+conversation is about the dishes to be prepared for the dinner."
+
+As we drew near the manor-house Francis gently withdrew her arm from
+mine, and stepped on sharply as we heard the clock in the village
+church-steeple strike one, saying--
+
+"I know I am being waited for impatiently, and half the garrison will
+have 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 the
+feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight
+to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as
+a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike. But the wood
+itself was rotting, and the rusty hinges could scarcely sustain their
+accustomed weight. In the tumbledown walls I could see loopholes
+large 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 then
+in vogue had been adopted. There was a sort of rotunda in the centre,
+kept, relatively speaking, in better repair than the rest of the
+building, flanked by two wings, which seemed uninhabited, and in fact
+so neglected as to be uninhabitable. Most of the panes were cracked
+or broken, and only in some cases had the broken glass been replaced
+by gray paper. The aloe-trees, set out to ornament the front of the
+house, 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 the
+Captain, whom I immediately recognized from the description I had
+had of him. He wore a blue jacket and trousers, a waistcoat buttoned
+close up to his chin, and the military black-leather collar, which
+he 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 placed
+his cap jauntily and soldier-like on one side of his head, and his
+entire bearing called up the idea of a military man only half at
+his ease in civilian dress. Though deep in the fifties, his hair is
+still jet black, and the length and stiffness of his mustachios, à
+la Napoléon, indicate a constant use of cosmetics. His face is very
+red, his eyes brown and bold, his features rude, and his thick red
+lips and short round chin give him a sensual appearance. He had in
+his 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 some
+one to be quartered on us?"
+
+"A visitor for the General, Captain," replied Francis, stepping past
+him, 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 of
+humour--and all this because the Freule takes it into her head to ride
+out at inconvenient hours, and return on foot to the fortress leading
+the hero of this pretty adventure in triumph behind her," growled
+the 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, Jonker
+Leopold van Zonshoven; let that suffice you, and if you have any more
+complaints, put them in your report-book."
+
+After this I followed Francis through the vestibule, where a servant
+received us with a military salute, and showed us into an immense
+drawing-room hung with embossed gilt leather. Here the General was
+taking a nap in a high-backed easy-chair. Francis entered the room
+softly enough, but the loud heavy step of the Captain, who thought
+fit to follow us, awoke the sleeper with a start.
+
+Instead of the pourfendeur I had conjured up in my fancy from old
+Aunt Roselaer's accounts, I perceived a little, thin, grey-headed old
+man, the traits of whose face showed him to be a person of superior
+breeding, wrapped in a very threadbare damask dressing-gown. His
+nose was long and straight, his lips thin and pale, his eyes of a
+soft 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 time
+he was speaking.
+
+Francis introduced me in her own peculiar way--
+
+"Grandfather, I bring you Jonker Leopold van Zonshoven, to whom you
+must give a hearty welcome, for he is a curiosity in our family."
+
+"In our family! Jonker van Zonshoven--ah! yes, I remember, I
+understand," he said, in a surprised and embarrassed tone, which
+proved 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 the
+Captain stood as if he intended to dispute the place with me.
+
+Francis rang the bell, and asked Fritz if the luncheon were still on
+the 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 at
+roll-call is not expected. Bring a plate of cold meat and bread into
+this 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 straight
+before me, saying--
+
+"Pardon me, Jonker, I must have a good look at you. There must be
+something peculiar in a young man who has so quickly found favour in
+the eyes of our Major."
+
+I hesitated about giving him the answer he deserved in the presence
+of the General; and, besides, Francis had warned me he was a man of
+no education.
+
+However, the General, speaking in a soft yet authoritative voice,
+said--
+
+"Rolf, there are jests which may pass amongst ourselves, but you
+seem to forget we are not now alone, and you are wanting in respect
+to Miss Mordaunt."
+
+"Because I call her Major in the presence of a relation of the
+family! Excuse me, your Excellency, but you ought to have given me
+the watchword beforehand. I shall not forget again."
+
+"It is no good, grandfather," said Francis; "at his age we cannot break
+him of his bad habits, though we might expect him to be respectful
+to the granddaughter of General von Zwenken, in spite of his having
+taught her her drill when a child. And now, as you have asked for
+the watchword of the day, Captain, attend: it is this, 'Politeness
+to my visitor.'"
+
+It became clear to me that the Captain had long been indulged in
+his vulgar familiarities, and that I ought not to attach too much
+importance to them. As soon as Fritz brought in the port-wine he filled
+three glasses brimful; presented the first glass to me, then one to the
+General, 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 himself
+up 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 little
+deaf."
+
+I complied with his request.
+
+"Pardon me for asking you a question which may seem somewhat out of
+place. Is this the first time you have met my granddaughter?"
+
+"The first time, General;" and I rapidly sketched an account of our
+meeting and walk to the Castle.
+
+"Well, I am glad of it," said the old man with a sigh of relief. "My
+granddaughter is possessed of many excellent qualities, that I can
+truly say; but she has her peculiarities. At times she can be very
+brusque, and she has a foible for braving the laws of good society,
+and setting all the world at defiance, which has made her many
+enemies. It occurred to me she was now trying to make amends for some
+misunderstanding which had arisen between herself and you."
+
+I assured him this was not the case, and that I felt my kindly
+reception to be the more flattering since Miss Mordaunt was not
+accustomed 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 related
+to 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 under
+Napoleon I.; and in those days one did not pay so much attention to
+nationality. Our disagreement with Freule Sophia prevented our making
+his acquaintance. He settled in Belgium, and I heard afterwards that
+Baron d'Hermaele stood in high favour at court in the reign of King
+William I."
+
+"This court favour cost him his life," I added, "for he remained
+faithful to his king during the Belgian Revolution; his castle near
+Larken was pillaged and burnt by the populace, and he himself cruelly
+murdered whilst defending his wife and children."
+
+"Another fact out of those sad and confused times which I so well
+remember. My men were burning with rage to punish such rebels and
+brigands, but, alas! they were kept inactive. What became of the
+widow and children?"
+
+"She returned to Holland with one son and seven daughters, of whom the
+eldest 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 this
+reason----"
+
+"You don't come to talk to me about family affairs, I hope?" he
+interrupted, growing uncomfortable.
+
+"But, my dear uncle, we can speak of family affairs without their
+necessarily causing unpleasantness."
+
+"Hum! Well, you are a Van Zonshoven, a stranger to all the pitiful
+feuds which have separated me from the Roselaers. Whole treasures
+have been thrown away on the lawsuits they have brought against
+me. Francis and I are both still suffering from such losses. Look
+here, if you bring any painful news for Francis, or any humiliating
+tidings for me--I know that even the validity of my Swiss marriage is
+contested--I beseech you, be generous, spare her as long as possible,
+for she is ignorant of this fact. Perhaps, old and broken though I
+be by trials, I can ward off the evil day a little longer; but be
+sincere and tell me plainly----"
+
+"I assure you, General, my chief desire--as I have already told Miss
+Mordaunt--is to save you every kind of trouble I can. I wish simply
+to draw family ties closer, and my most ardent desire is that a Van
+Zonshoven may have the good fortune to heal the wounds caused by
+the Roselaers."
+
+"Many things are necessary! Much money! As we soldiers say, gold
+is the sinews of war--and, pardon me if I make a mistake, the Van
+Zonshovens are not rich."
+
+"You are not mistaken, General. My grandmother and her children
+had 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 and
+rewarded, but he died in the flower of his age. It was impossible
+for the young ladies to keep William II. in constant recollection
+of their father's loyalty. Besides, we decided not to petition or
+supplicate for favours, preferring to rely on our own energies and
+self-help. This principle was instilled into me whilst I was young."
+
+"You surprise me. But is there not a Van Zonshoven Minister for
+Foreign Affairs in the present Government?" asked the General. "He
+must 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 the
+coffee-coloured daughter of a rich Java merchant--for her money,
+of course. She is neither intelligent, amiable, nor educated; and
+indeed, has got little from him in return for her money except the
+right to bear his name and title."
+
+"A pitiful mésalliance, certainly! But for you the consequences are
+a rich and childless uncle?" he observed by way of a query.
+
+"Yes, and he is already old. But, unfortunately, I am estranged from
+him, 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. Though
+poor, I have always prized my independence above all things. I
+have 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 the
+room; and it came from the deep, clear voice of Francis, who had been
+entering the room as I spoke these words.
+
+"You see, Jonker," said the General, somewhat fretfully, and knitting
+his brows, "your style of speaking has touched my granddaughter's
+weak side. Her dreams are of independence, and her illusion is to be
+indebted to nobody."
+
+"Not my illusion, grandfather. My principle is rather to be poor and
+independent, and appear so; and rather to suffer privations and make
+sacrifices, than be guilty of meanness for the sake of supplying
+imaginary wants and desires which we ought manfully to resist."
+
+The General bit his lips, shut his eyes, and sank back in his chair, as
+if he had received a blow from a club; but unwilling to acknowledge a
+defeat, after a few seconds he raised himself up and said to Francis--
+
+"I allow that you far surpass me in bearing privations; but it would
+be well for you to learn a little self-restraint. At my time of life
+it 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 I
+mean them; but you cannot expect me to approve what angers me--such
+self-restraint I shall never learn."
+
+"That's unfortunate," replied the General in a bitter tone; "for
+what will Leopold think of us if he must listen to such reproaches
+at every turn."
+
+"He will think, uncle, that he is on a visit to a family which is
+above dissembling to deceive him, and he will esteem such frankness
+as 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 again
+entered the room. "Our Major has the praiseworthy custom of speaking
+her 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 in
+jest, half in earnest, "you would have been dismissed the service
+long ere this."
+
+"That only proves my long-suffering and patience, Miss Major; you know
+I permit you to treat me like a corporal would a raw recruit. I would
+not 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 to
+be en famille."
+
+"And I, General, not guessing the conversation could be so entertaining
+for you, came to propose our usual remedy against low spirits: a game
+at piquet."
+
+"Thank you, Captain, no cards this afternoon; I am anxious to talk
+to my nephew."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+Francis ordered Rolf off in search of her riding-whip which she had
+lost on the heath in the morning, making sure this would keep him
+out 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 will
+do me a great pleasure," Francis called after him.
+
+"Well, since I need not be on duty with the General, I will do my
+best," he answered.
+
+"You are a cruel despot," I could not help saying to Francis. She
+smiled and coloured slightly.
+
+"Oh, Jonker, this is nothing!" sighed the submissive vassal; "when Miss
+Major was a child, you should have seen what I had to do and suffer."
+
+"Just so," replied Francis; "then you spoilt me, and hence your
+penance is so hard. Give me your hand, my good Rolf; I won't promise
+you absolution, but a truce for to-day."
+
+The old soldier took the hand held out to him, and I saw a tear
+sparkle in his eye, which reconciled me to him in spite of his vulgar
+familiarities. He, ashamed of his weakness, tried to hide it from us
+by a prompt retreat.
+
+Almost immediately afterwards he entered the room again, and
+approaching Francis he said--
+
+"I know I disturb you, Freule, but it is better that I come instead
+of 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 ready
+for 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 the
+General. "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 are
+unprepared to lodge visitors."
+
+"What!" exclaimed Rolf, with a loud laugh, "we could lodge half
+a company."
+
+"Half your company!" Francis cried bitterly; "but you forget that
+Jonker van Zonshoven is accustomed to the luxuries of the Hague."
+
+"To a modest chamber on the second floor, Francis; and he can sleep
+comfortably 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 and
+sorrowful look at me, "I will try to find you a room where there are
+no broken panes. Come, Captain, never mind about the whip to-day;
+you must now act as my quartermaster. Forward, march;" and taking
+him 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 we
+don't reckon on visitors, you have taken us by surprise, and that's
+what vexes Francis. It is so difficult to procure anything in this
+out-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. Francis
+cannot understand our social laws; unfortunately she has not had an
+education suitable to her rank and station. Her own mother she never
+knew; and my son-in-law, Sir John Mordaunt, did not understand the
+kind of training necessary for a Dutch lady of position."
+
+"Don't despair, General; who knows what effect a good husband will
+have on her!"
+
+"That's just my difficulty, Jonker; Francis would refuse to marry
+any man she suspected of such intentions."
+
+"You are right, grandfather," exclaimed Francis, who had again
+entered the room. "Major Frank will never give up her command to
+an 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, that
+I thought Major Frank would do wrong to refuse a good husband.
+
+Francis reddened to the roots of her hair, and then grew pale, as
+she answered with a forced smile--
+
+"Well, you are not a dangerous suitor. As the General will have told
+you, Miss Mordaunt can only accept a very rich husband; and I think
+you have already acknowledged that the Van Zonshovens are not among
+the 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 judged
+nowadays, and you would wish Major Frank to be sold to the highest
+bidder, if sold she must be. But come, Leopold, let me show you the
+grounds before dinner. Grandfather can go with us, for the wind has
+gone down and the sun come out, so that it is quite a mild spring
+afternoon."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+We directed our steps towards the back of the Castle, passing by the
+aviary, which had fallen into decay like its surroundings. The Captain
+had, however, turned it into a poultry-walk, and held undisputed
+sway 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 we
+came to a summer-house, whence we could obtain a splendid view of
+the surrounding country--a sweep of undulating heath as far as the
+eye could reach. Francis said this was her favourite place in the
+grounds, and that she never grew tired of the charming prospect;
+but I could see that her grandfather's thoughts were occupied about
+something quite different from the picturesque view. All the farms in
+the neighbourhood, and all the woods around, formerly appertained to
+the lordship of the Werve; and all these ought to have descended intact
+to 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 silence
+briskly.
+
+Francis burst out laughing.
+
+"Grandfather beginning to take an interest in the fate of six young
+ladies 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't
+it so, grandfather?"
+
+I hastened to answer--
+
+"Three of them died long ago; two others made good marriages, but
+they have children of their own; and one, Aunt Sophia, is maintained
+by the rest of the family, I contributing in proportion to my means."
+
+"Aunt Sophia," repeated the General; "had the d'Hermaeles the foresight
+to make Sophia Roselaer godmother to one of their children?"
+
+"It is possible," I answered, "but I don't know for certain; my mother
+seldom talked to me about her relations."
+
+"At any rate it appears to me she has been made heir to the property
+of that mischief-loving woman, Miss Roselaer," continued the General;
+"and probably you, Leopold, were not informed of the death, nor invited
+to the funeral any more than ourselves? As far as I am concerned I
+expected such treatment; yet I cannot understand that she should allow
+her hatred to deprive the only granddaughter of her eldest sister of
+the property."
+
+I now felt myself on dangerous ground; but Francis came to my rescue
+by 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 a
+rule people are not prepossessed in my favour at a first interview"
+(hereupon she gave me a malicious look), "she seems to have had no
+reason to complain of me;--in fact, if I had only cultivated the
+acquaintance, probably at this moment my name would be in her will
+for 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 certain
+business about which it is not necessary to trouble cousin Leopold."
+
+"She never likes to hear her good deeds spoken of," the General
+murmured to me.
+
+"Oh, it was only a simple duty I had to fulfil; I had to consult
+the celebrated Dr. D. about an unfortunate woman who had lost her
+reason. At his door I had an altercation with his man-servant, who
+wished to put me off till next day under the pretext that the hour for
+consultation was passed, and that his master was taking his luncheon
+with visitors. However, I insisted upon his taking in my card, and
+finally I obtained admission to the dining-room. Dr. D. politely
+invited me to take luncheon with them, and introduced me to two
+elderly ladies, one his sister, and the other his sister's friend. As
+I was very hungry, I accepted without ceremony. I was soon sensible
+that 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 unsparing
+severity. This was just to my taste, and excited me to the contest,
+till, from repartee to repartee, we got almost to a dispute. It was
+my great-aunt Sophia in person, as I afterwards learnt; and just fancy
+her 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! I
+simply answered: 'I had heard her spoken of; that there had been
+quarrels between her and my relations, but that I did not think it
+fair, on my part, to attack her behind her back in the presence of
+strangers.' She answered that she approved of my conduct. The doctor,
+who had for some time been appearing ill at ease, now invited me to
+go to his surgery. After the consultation I met the old lady in the
+passage; she invited me to accompany her as far as the house of a
+friend, where her carriage would await her. I consented, but now I
+was on my guard, as I knew who she was; and when she invited me to
+spend 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 dealings
+with her, grandfather. I said I could not spend a single hour longer
+in Utrecht than business demanded. Before she could say more, a band
+of students, of that class better known outside the lecture-room than
+inside, began to form a circle round us, and treat us to a piece of
+by no means flattering criticism as to the style of our dress. It is
+true I was negligently dressed, far behind the fashions; and aunt's
+bonnet and shawl gave her much of the appearance of a caricature. I
+felt my blood boil, and yet I retained sufficient calmness to tell
+these seedling lawyers, authors, and clergymen they ought to be
+ashamed of themselves, as their conduct was worse even than that of
+street Arabs. My words took effect; one or two dropped off in silence,
+others stepped aside, and one of them even attempted to stammer out an
+apology. We were near the house of lawyer Van Beek, where Miss Roselaer
+was going; and as we took leave of each other she warmly pressed my
+hand, thanking me for my protection and presence of mind, but added
+that 'such conduct was scarcely ladylike in the public streets.'
+
+"It might have been more becoming to swoon, but such farces are not
+in keeping with the character of Major Frank.
+
+"If I had known the story would amuse you so much, grandfather, I
+would have told it you three months ago; but I was afraid it would
+be disagreeable to you to hear I had seen Aunt Sophia."
+
+"And you have never since heard a word of Miss Roselaer?" demanded
+Von Zwenken, fretfully.
+
+"No; but I have reason to suppose she wished to oblige me. I had
+to make arrangements at Utrecht for the proper nursing of my poor
+patient. The most important point was the money, and at the time
+I had very little; but the same evening I received a letter from
+Dr. D., informing me a rich friend, who desired to remain unknown,
+had promised to pay all the expenses. So here you have my reasons for
+surprise that Aunt Sophia should have included me in hatred of the
+family; 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 the
+love of Francis, and to marry her; and I confess my inclinations were
+tending in that direction. Her straightforward, upright character,
+her original and piquant style of beauty, were already beginning to
+act like a charm upon me; still it would be well not to precipitate
+matters, and I controlled a desire which came over me to demand her
+hand on the spot. There were also mysterious events in her past life
+which required clearing up. Besides, I had to consider how it would
+be possible to change her aversion from marriage, the male sex, and
+social life in general. And I was convinced if she once pronounced
+the fatal word "No," my suit was hopeless.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+Fritz, who came up at a trot, after the usual military salute to
+Francis, interrupted our further conversation. He addressed her in
+the following words--
+
+"Freule, the Captain sends to inquire if you have thought of the sauce
+for 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 adjutant
+reminds 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." Then
+calling to Fritz, he said, "Show the Jonker to his room, if it
+is ready."
+
+"Certainly, General; I have taken up his bag."
+
+"So you have brought a travelling-bag?" asked the General, with a
+smile, and giving me an inquiring look.
+
+"What shall I say, uncle; did I take too great a liberty in reckoning
+on an invitation for a few days?"
+
+"Certainly not, my boy!" he replied frankly; "a change is very welcome
+to me--only try to make it all right with Francis."
+
+Fritz led the way up a broad oaken staircase to the first floor of the
+left wing, the very one which had struck me as the least habitable. I
+was shown into a large room that had once been well furnished, but
+which now appeared rather sombre, as all the shutters were closed
+except 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, otherwise
+there 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 therefore
+the broken window-panes have been neglected, and there is no glazier
+in the village."
+
+I dismissed the good fellow, whose fidelity to his mistress was
+evinced by his reticence.
+
+When I had opened one shutter entirely so as to obtain sufficient
+light, I found the room contained a large old-fashioned bedstead,
+with red silk hangings; a splendid couch, the covering of which was
+torn in several places and the horse-hair peeping out--then, even
+worse, I found it had lost a leg; moreover, there was not a chair in
+the 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 on
+its three gilt bear-paws; but it was cracked in several places,
+and the mosaic star in the centre had almost disappeared piece by
+piece. A simple modern washstand, of grey painted wood with light
+green 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 of
+Guelderland, and forming plans for the renovation and embellishment of
+the fallen greatness around--always provided Francis consented--when
+I heard the second dinner-bell, and hastened downstairs, having
+been warned that the General still kept up his military habits of
+punctuality.
+
+I was very curious to see whether Francis had dressed for dinner, how
+she looked, &c. But, alas! my hopes were disappointed. Her beautiful
+hair was loosely confined in a silk net, which seemed scarcely capable
+of sustaining its weight. She had not changed her dress, and had only
+thrown over her shoulders a small faded shawl, which served to hide the
+white and slender form of her neck. She perceived my disappointment; in
+fact, her beautiful eyes regarded me with an air that seemed to say--
+
+"Make up your mind that I am totally indifferent as to the impression
+I may produce on you."
+
+Otherwise she performed her part as hostess with exemplary zeal and
+great ability. She served the soup, carved the meat, and even changed
+the plates herself--as Fritz seemed to consider his duty done when
+he 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 preserved
+vegetables was served up--"surrogate of the primeurs," as the General
+expressed himself; then partridges in aspic and a poulet au riz,
+followed by young cabbages with baked eels, which, the Captain said
+playfully, had only gone into his net for my sake. As plat doux,
+we had a pudding with the wonderful sauce Francis had been called
+into the kitchen to make; and to wind up, a complete dessert. It was
+difficult for me to reconcile all this with the idea of people living
+in straitened circumstances.
+
+The different kinds of wine, furnished in over-great abundance and
+variety by the Captain, who acted as butler, completed the luxuries
+of the table. The wines were of the best brands, and my host and
+his aide-de-camp took care to call my attention to them. My habits
+of abstinence obliged me to exercise great moderation, and I could
+plainly see that they were disappointed at my want of enthusiasm.
+
+Neither the crockery nor the table-linen was in keeping with the
+luxury of the courses. The former was French china, dating from the
+same period as the furniture and the golden leather tapestries, and
+had evidently suffered a good deal from rough usage and servants. It
+was cracked, riveted, incomplete; and modern blue ware had been
+purchased to supply deficiencies, thus enhancing its splendour and
+emphasizing the contrast. The large damask tablecloth, that represented
+the marriage of a Spanish Infanta, had certainly done duty when Aunt
+Sophia ruled as mistress of the establishment. It was exceedingly
+fine but worn, and the rents had not always been neatly darned. As for
+the silver, the speed with which Francis sent the forks and spoons to
+the kitchen and ordered them back, proved to me that the dozens were
+not 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 the
+campaign I have drunk beer out of a milk-pail, and champagne out of
+teacups; 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 a
+common glass; and as our Major (I mean Freule, the commander-in-chief)
+always manifests the greatest indifference in this respect, I have
+charged 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 to
+retaliate in her vehement way.
+
+"Fie, Captain!" she interrupted. "Are you afraid Jonker van Zonshoven
+will not observe how great your merits as quartermaster are? If every
+one 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 General
+now 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 growing
+rosy. Francis rang for Fritz to hand round cigars to the gentlemen, and
+then retired to the drawing-room in spite of the furious looks of her
+grandfather. As the door was open, I could follow her movements in the
+large mirror which faced me. I saw her throw herself on the sofa, wring
+her hands, and bite her lips as if to suppress her sobs. The General
+soon dozed off, and the Captain applied himself to the cognac bottle,
+as he said it was necessary to warm up his stomach after eating cold
+fruit; so I walked over towards the drawing-room, trying to hide my
+cigar. Francis was disconcerted at being surprised in her disconsolate
+mood; 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 had
+almost said ladies).
+
+"Nonsense! I am not so fastidious; and you know that quite well. Shall
+I make you some coffee? The gentlemen yonder do not take any; they
+smoke and drink till----"
+
+I interrupted her with--
+
+"I want nothing but to talk confidentially with you for a quarter of
+an hour. Will you grant me that favour?"
+
+"Certainly; take the easy-chair and sit down opposite; that is the
+best position for a talk."
+
+I obeyed, and she began--
+
+"Tell me, first of all, do you now understand why I do not like
+receiving company?"
+
+"Perhaps. I venture to suppose that you wish to simplify the way of
+living, and that the gentlemen do not approve of it. And visitors
+cause expense."
+
+"Now, indeed, it is clever of you to guess after what you have
+just seen!" and she laughed a merry laugh. "I see I must explain
+matters. But let us talk about yourself, Leopold; that will change the
+current of my thoughts--and they want changing in my present state of
+mind. You see there my constant and daily society," she continued,
+looking towards the dining-room. "They have now reached the topmost
+point of their enjoyment--the General asleep with a cigar in his mouth,
+and the Captain absorbing his quantum of cognac. Afterwards he will
+fill his German pipe, totter off to the billiard-room, and smoke and
+sleep till tea-time. Come, now, as we have a full hour before us,
+confess yourself. Why have you not studied for a barrister?" And
+she fixed her large eyes on me as if she suspected that I had been
+rusticated.
+
+"Simply because my good father died too soon."
+
+"A good father always dies too soon. Even a bad one who neglects his
+child is a great loss. Yours left nothing?"
+
+"Except a widow with a very small pension--too small to maintain
+me at Leyden, and therefore I left after one year's residence, as
+I 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 make
+sacrifices for his mother or his wife's sake, is a rarity. It does
+me good to hear such men still exist."
+
+"Now, Francis, give me your confidence. Perhaps I can assist you in
+your troubles."
+
+"Don't attempt the impossible, Leopold," she replied in a tone of
+profound 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 have
+often been in others, one deception more or less cannot make much
+difference in the grand total. When my grandfather had obtained his
+pension we came to the Werve, as it was urgently necessary for us
+to economize. His rank as commandant in a small fortified town had
+necessitated our living in grand style. He had to invite the mayor and
+other dignitaries to his table, as well as his own lieutenants; and let
+me acknowledge we had both got into the habit of living in abundance
+and of being very hospitable; consequently we had nearly always an
+open table. Owing to many events and painful family circumstances,
+our fortune with the last few years has shrunk so visibly that it was
+impossible to continue our old style of living. And grandpapa at last
+saw 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 all
+our wants; and I cherished a secret hope of saving money, so as one
+day to make some repairs and raise this castle from its state of decay.
+
+"At first everything went on tolerably well. We came in the
+summer-time. We both needed rest; the splendid and varied scenery
+enticed us out on long rides and drives; in fact, everything combined
+to make us enjoy our solitude. But, alas! the autumn came with its
+long evenings and chilly days; the General suffered from rheumatism
+and could not mount his horse. Then weariness overmastered him like
+a plague, and I tried music and reading in vain. He is not fond of
+music, and he does not care for reading. He cannot bear to see me
+with a book in my hand, unless it be an illustrated book to ornament
+the drawing-room table. When I had read the paper there was nothing
+more to say. I played dominoes with him and piquet-à-deux. I could
+hardly do it any longer; but he never had enough of it. He grew
+fidgetty and melancholy, began to languish, and was less and less
+satisfied with our simple way of living. I could not bear to see
+him so cast down, without the means of helping him. Just about this
+time one of his former comrades, who had also obtained his pension,
+invited grandfather to visit him in Arnheim. I thought it would be a
+nice change, and encouraged him to go. He was quite happy and quite
+at his ease there, and stayed the three winter months."
+
+"And you?"
+
+"I stayed at home. They had forgotten to invite me; and when they
+thought of it, it seemed to me such a formal invitation that I made
+up my mind to decline it, as I had before reflected it would save a
+great deal of expense in ball dresses and other ways of squandering
+money which such visits necessarily bring with them."
+
+"Yet, even here, a little attention to dress would not be out of
+place," I interposed, seizing the opportunity to tell her my opinion
+on the subject.
+
+"Oh, it does not matter for me. I can speak as a certain French woman
+du temps que j'étais femme. That time's past; what does it matter
+how Major Frank dresses?"
+
+"Major Frank," I replied, "should wear a uniform suitable to her rank
+and 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 with
+her 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 poor
+officer, 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. But
+don't trouble me with any more of your silly remarks about dress;
+let me continue.
+
+"My grandfather returned from Arnheim, cured of his melancholy and
+more deeply in debt than ever. His stay, even with a friend, had cost
+him 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 were
+fees to servants; and, worst of all, that abominable high play which
+is the curse of our nation. In short, on his return he was obliged to
+sell the home-farm, and even this did not bring in sufficient money
+to satisfy his creditors. This time my grandfather solemnly vowed he
+would never enter society again, and he has kept his word; but he soon
+fell into a black melancholy, from which he is only just recovering.
+
+"Rolf, a brave soldier, but one who, in spite of his merits, would
+never have obtained the rank of officer without grandpapa's protection,
+called upon us. He was a sort of servant in the house before I
+was born, making himself generally useful as only soldiers can. His
+sister was my nurse, my mother having died soon after I came into the
+world. Unfortunately, she had neither education nor character to fit
+her for the task. With the best intentions, she thoroughly spoilt me,
+a work in which she was assisted by her brother, Sergeant Rolf, who
+would sooner have thought of disobeying his colonel than of opposing
+any 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 his
+company seemed to be a welcome change to grandfather; and perceiving
+that a third person would be an agreeable addition to our society,
+I proposed to him to take up his quarters here, as he could live
+on his pension in one place as well as another. My proposition was
+eagerly accepted, and I took the command, as he expresses it, whilst
+he did his best to cheer up the General, and the winter has passed
+less monotonously than I anticipated.
+
+"Meantime Rolf has inherited some property in North Brabant, and now
+he insists upon paying his quota towards the housekeeping expenses,
+to which I have consented for the General's sake, because he is so
+fond of delicacies. But you don't know how I suffer when I see them
+rivalling each other in the pleasures of the table, and think of the
+humiliation and abasement of my grandfather----"
+
+Fritz entered with the lamp, and asked if Freule had not rung for the
+tea. The General and the Captain followed. The conversation languished
+over the tea-table, and Francis became silent; when suddenly the
+Captain 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," muttered
+the 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 the
+tea-things. We took our seats, and the General, as I thought, fixed
+the counters tolerably high.
+
+The old man seemed to undergo a thorough change the moment he
+held the cards in his hand. His dull, sleepy eyes brightened with
+intelligence and sparkled with enthusiasm. Every limb moved; the tips
+of his fingers trembled, and yet they still held the cards firmly
+whilst he examined them to calculate, with mathematical precision,
+what was wanting in ours. His pale cheeks flushed a deep red, his
+nostrils expanded or contracted according to the chances of the game;
+and the melancholy man, who usually sat with his head bowed down as
+though overburdened, was of a sudden seized by a spirit of audacity,
+of rashness, of foolhardiness, that not seldom gained him splendid
+success, and reminded me of the saying, "Good luck is with the rash
+man." It certainly is with the audacious player.
+
+As for myself I made many blunders, which greatly amused my
+companions. I had already lost a considerable sum, when the door
+opened 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 the
+Captain cried--
+
+"Our Major in full dress."
+
+"What strange whim is this?" growled the General, with difficulty
+suppressing his anger, for he had an excellent hand of cards this
+time. "The whole day you have gone about like a Cinderella, and
+now----"
+
+"The fairy has come, and I appear as a princess," replied Francis.
+
+"And the famous glass slipper is not wanting," I said, admiring the
+beautiful 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 in
+the 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 disturb
+you."
+
+Her playing was like herself, fantastic and bizarre; gradually,
+however, it became sweet and melancholy, and moved me almost to
+tears. My thoughts were with the music, and I lost every game
+afterwards. The General was furious, and let me perceive it. I was
+about to pay my debt, when Francis entered precipitately, and said
+in a decided tone--so decided, indeed, as to displease me--that I
+should not pay. I answered in the same tone, and to cut short all
+arguments I placed the money on the table. She then tried to snatch
+out of Rolf's hand the note I had given him. I told her I thought
+her 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 seemed
+to gloat over his gains, remained silent during this little scene. It
+gave me a painful insight into his character. I pitied the old man,
+who played not for amusement but for the sake of money, and would
+take 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, I
+thought 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 the
+keys 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 in
+the 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 in
+real life it is just the contrary, and I like reality."
+
+Fritz came to announce supper. The gentlemen were cheerful, the
+Captain noisy and jovial; Francis only gave short and dry answers,
+and showed me her ill-humour by only giving me the tips of her fingers
+when she wished us all good-night.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+Unromantic though it may sound, I must confess to having slept
+well on the first night I spent under the roof of my mother's
+ancestors. Sleep surprised me whilst I was reflecting on the
+strange 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 by
+a detestable education, by the manners of a sutler and a rudeness
+of the worst kind. And then, in addition to all this, there was the
+question of her past life which I had heard painted in such black
+colours. It seemed doubtful whether Major Frank could ever become
+Lady Francis van Zonshoven.
+
+When I awoke the sun was streaming through the one window whose
+shutters I had purposely left open, with the intention of taking
+an early morning walk. I crept silently down the stairs so as not
+to awake anybody, but I met Fritz in the vestibule, and he made his
+military salute in silence. The hall door was wide open. I took the
+direction of the home-farm, where I hoped to obtain a glass of new
+milk, and draw the tenants out a little about the inhabitants of the
+Castle--one in particular.
+
+I had not gone very far before whom should I see coming from the farm
+but 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 taken
+another path if she had seen me a little sooner.
+
+"I never knew we had ceased to be so," she answered, colouring
+a little.
+
+"Hem! Towards the close of the evening, in spite of what you may say
+to the contrary."
+
+"Say, rather, in spite of myself. Believe me, Leo, I was not morose
+out of caprice; I was troubled and anxious. I saw my manner displeased
+you, but I was afraid that to flatter grandfather's weakness you were
+suffering 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 then
+to squander your money in such a way in our house--it seemed to me
+like card-sharping."
+
+"No, no; nothing of the sort. But supposing it had been, you have
+tact enough to understand that it was beneath my dignity to take the
+money back."
+
+"That's true, I am of your opinion; but I warned you beforehand that
+my 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 deserve
+correction, will you on your part acknowledge that you are making
+somewhat too much ado about a little mistake?"
+
+"But you, who are so proud, how can you suppose that a man will
+consent to be protected by a woman?"
+
+"Again you are right, Leopold; such a man would be like so many others
+I know."
+
+"Pardon me, Francis; our friendship is like a tender plant, and we
+must 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 on
+condition that our little quarrel of last night be forgotten and
+forgiven."
+
+I felt myself under the charm again, and seizing her hand in a
+transport 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 forget
+to whom you are speaking--I am Major Frank."
+
+"I will have no more of Major Frank; my cousin Francis Mordaunt must
+suffer me to offer her my arm." And taking her hand again, I gently
+drew her arm within mine. She submitted in silence, with a singular
+expression 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 people
+insisted 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 I
+have brought on myself; and yet, if the others could be remedied as
+easily!" she said, with a profound sigh.
+
+She became pale as death, her lips quivered, and, withdrawing her arm
+from mine, she stood still, covering her face with her hands as if she
+would force back the tears already rolling down her cheeks. I remained
+by her side, and after a pause I said, with gentle earnestness--
+
+"Tell me what has happened, Francis; it will be a relief to you and
+ease your mind."
+
+"Yes," she resumed, calmly, "I must confide my sufferings to some
+one, but not now. I will not spoil our morning walk by calling up
+such a frightful scene. I can myself scarcely understand how it is
+possible that I, who cannot bear to see dumb creatures suffer, have
+to reproach myself with the death of one of my fellow-men."
+
+"I beseech you to tell me all, trusting in me for my sincerest
+sympathy."
+
+"Not now," she cried; "what good would it do? It would only embitter
+the few minutes we have to spend together."
+
+"May I help you with a word it seems to cost you trouble to
+pronounce? Is it not a certain unfortunate incident with regard to
+your coachman?"
+
+"Just so, that's it," she replied, assuming her defiant and bitter
+tone. "If you wish to know more about it, ask the people at the
+farm--they know all the particulars."
+
+"I shall take good care not to go making inquiries into your secrets
+behind your back, Francis."
+
+"My secrets!" she exclaimed, her voice quivering with
+indignation. "There is no secret in the matter. It is a question
+of a dreadful accident, which happened on the public high-road
+in the presence of a crowd of spectators attracted by the noise;
+but the occasion was not lost to set public opinion against me. Was
+it not Major Frank, who never acted like anybody else--Major Frank
+the outlaw! It would have been a pity to let such an opportunity
+of blackening her character pass. I ought to have reflected that
+you would have heard the story; and very likely you are come here
+'to interview' the heroine of such a romantic adventure. It would
+be a pity you should lose your pains. There's the farm--go straight
+on and ask the people to tell you all about the affair between Major
+Frank and her coachman Harry Blount; both the man and his wife were
+witnesses. And, Jonker van Zonshoven, when they have satisfied you, you
+may 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 a
+state of terrible confusion.
+
+One thing at last seemed clear to me; I had lost her for ever. Should I
+follow and overtake her? She appeared resolute to tell me no more. Yet
+I must know more! I could neither stay at the Werve nor go away until
+my doubts were cleared up.
+
+I went on to the farm, and was soon served with a glass of milk. The
+farmer's wife seemed to know all about my visit, and thought it quite
+natural for the Freule to send me there for a glass of new milk. She
+was loud in her praises of the Freule, said her equal was not to
+be found in the whole aristocracy, "so familiar and kind-hearted,
+but at times flighty, and then she goes off like a locomotive"--she
+pronounced it "leukemetief." But it would be impossible for me to
+reproduce her Guelders dialect; and, to confess a truth, I had myself
+sometimes great difficulty in understanding her.
+
+She showed me the farm and the dog, a splendid brown pointer who
+allowed me to stroke him, probably for his mistress' sake. Once the
+good farmer's wife had loosened her tongue, she rattled away with
+great volubility--
+
+"Yes, she was sorry the General was no longer their landlord; but
+Overberg was not a bad fellow--he had made many repairs, and even
+promised to build a new barn which the General would never consent
+to. It was a pity for the man! A good gentleman, but he took no
+interest in farming; the whole place must have gone to wrack and
+ruin if the General had not agreed to sell it before it was too
+late. The Freule was sorry, for she liked farming; she had learned to
+milk, and talked to the cows just as if they were human beings. And
+horses--yes, Jonker, even the plough horses, before they go out into
+the field in the morning, she talks to them. My husband was groom to
+her grandfather, in his youth; I think I can see the greys she used to
+drive with so much pride, and Blount the coachman at her side, as proud
+as a king, with his arms folded, and looking as if the team belonged
+to him. Oh dear, yes! And now all that grandeur has disappeared. The
+beautiful carriage-horses are sold, and the Freule has only her English
+horse which my husband stables and grooms for her. What a sin and shame
+it is when the gentry fall into such decay! And the family used to be
+the greatest in these parts, and good to their tenants. My parents and
+grandparents always lived on the estate; but oh, oh! since the marriage
+of the eldest Freule Roselaer, they have never prospered. What can I
+say? 'A house divided against itself cannot stand,' as the Scriptures
+tell us. The Jonker has certainly heard of all these things?"
+
+"Enough, Mrs. Pauwelsen, more than enough," I responded, for the good
+woman's chatter was becoming insupportable. I hastily took my leave
+of her and arrived just in time for breakfast; in fact, I was in the
+breakfast-parlour before either the Captain or the General. Francis
+was alone, but when she saw me she left the room under the pretext
+of 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 your
+curiosity?"
+
+"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 did
+not want to hear anything."
+
+"Forsooth! You have shown more self-control than I thought a man
+capable 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 to
+me. 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 if
+she regretted her want of confidence in me--making all sorts of
+mistakes. The General's tea was sweetened twice over, and the Captain
+found he had no sugar in his, a defect which he remedied as furtively
+as possible, whispering to me--
+
+"Our Major's got out on the wrong side of the bed this morning. We
+must 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 ordered
+for?" 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 to
+look 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 of
+the eye; and he walked over to the window where Francis stood. Then
+with 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 simply
+sent off to Zutphen for his luggage."
+
+It was now my turn to speak, and I asked Francis if she would keep
+me 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 only
+assisted in bringing in my box, but also a number of packages, bottles,
+tins, &c., which he spread over the table, and clapping the General
+on the shoulder, as he said--
+
+"Now, what says your Excellency; have I not made a splendid foraging
+party?"
+
+"No more of your 'Excellency' and insolent nonsense," burst out
+Francis, her eyes striking fire and her cheeks burning with rage. "You
+clearly forget, you d----d rascal, that you are an inferior; otherwise
+you would not dare to act like this. Bless my soul, what a foolish
+throwing away of money is this--perdrix rouges, pâté-de-foie-gras,
+all kinds of fish in jelly, all kinds of preserved fruit. Why, it
+looks as if you were going to start a business here. Why have you
+brought all these useless dainties again?" And she struck the table
+with her clenched fist till the pots and bottles danced again. "The
+General ought to turn you out of doors; and he would if his tongue
+and 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 a
+shame, and if you had the least fortitude left you would put a stop
+to such extravagance."
+
+"Major, Major!" interposed Rolf, deprecatingly.
+
+"Silence, you miserable epicure--I am no longer your major; I have
+had enough of your quasi-pleasantry. If I had my will all this should
+be 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 voice
+still higher. "But I will not suffer you to take such liberties any
+longer; and if grandfather does not call you to order, I will myself
+put 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 unseemly
+conduct."
+
+"All the better. The Jonker chooses to become our guest, and he
+shall see and know into what a mean and miserable a household he has
+entered. I will put no blind before his eyes."
+
+"There is, however, a difference between trying to blind people, and
+tearing 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. I
+must speak plainly. I would rather live on bread and water than be
+beholden to another for these luxuries."
+
+With this she left the room, giving me a defiant look, which I
+returned by a shake of the head, to signify how much I disapproved
+of her conduct and the intemperance of her language.
+
+Whilst we stood staring at each other, we three gentlemen, in a state
+of stupefaction, she just put her head in at the door and said--
+
+"Captain, you will attend to the housekeeping duties to-day; I am
+going for a ride."
+
+"At your service, Commandant," answered Rolf, bringing his hand to
+his cap in military fashion.
+
+I could not help expressing my amazement at the coolness with which
+he treated the whole affair.
+
+"What could I say, Jonker; such outbursts are not new to me. I saw
+this morning that the weather-glass stood at storm. The quicker and
+more violent the storm, the sooner it is over; and you know an old
+soldier is proof against weather."
+
+"I am glad I warned you beforehand, nephew, of my granddaughter's
+temper," said the General, with a deep sigh, without raising his
+head to look at me. "Once she's got an idea into her head, there is
+no opposing her; she'll drive through anything, like a man on his
+hobby-horse; she never reasons."
+
+I thought to myself, she reasons only too logically for you; and he
+evidently felt it, for throughout the whole scene he had sat with
+his head down, nervously playing with his ring.
+
+"Come, General, don't be cast down," said Rolf, cheerily: "we'll
+maintain our alliance against the common foe, and the wind will
+change again."
+
+As he spoke he unfolded a long, small parcel; it contained a
+riding-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. It
+was a mistake to promote her to the command before we had taught her
+the discipline."
+
+"A great mistake," sighed the General.
+
+Rolf now set to work to attend to his housekeeping duties, and I
+excused myself under the pretext of having letters to write; for I
+had a great wish to be alone and reflect on all I had seen and heard
+this morning.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+
+Once in my room, I threw off my coat, loosened my collar, and made
+myself 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 dressed
+in her riding-habit, and brought me an inkstand, which she placed on
+the table, then took a chair quite at her ease, though she could see
+I 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 scarcely
+believed her sole object was to supply me with an inkstand; and I
+pointed out to her I had got my own writing-case with me. My freezing
+manner 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 a
+riding-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 her
+sex. 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 causes
+your ill-humour. I have come into your room. Well, pass it over--you
+know I am so little of 'a lady.'"
+
+"That's only too true, Major."
+
+"Major!" she repeated angrily, opening her large eyes in
+astonishment. "I thought you disliked my nickname."
+
+"Not since I have seen the soldier in action. But I should like
+to know to which class of majors you belong, tambour-major or
+sergeant-major? For I believe the command of a regiment is usually
+given to a man of refinement--to a person, in fact, who can make
+himself respected by his gentleman-like behaviour and dignity; but
+after the scene I witnessed this morning----"
+
+"Leopold!" she cried, deadly pale, her lips quivering, "this is a
+personal insult. Do you mean it as such?"
+
+I was surprised at the change, for I had expected her to wreak her
+anger 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 you
+to assume."
+
+Still no answer. And I began to be embarrassed in my turn, which
+embarrassment was only increased by her breaking out in a plaintive
+tone--
+
+"Leopold, you strike deeper than you suppose."
+
+"Francis," I cried, changing my tone, "believe me, it is not my
+intention to wound you; I wish to cure you."
+
+I was going to take her hand, when she sprang up as if she had received
+an 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 your
+precious 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 in
+spite of yourself. When you made such a terrible scene in my presence
+this morning, I understood you. It meant this: He is staying here
+to study the character of Major Frank; well now, he shall see it in
+all its rudeness and insufferableness, and we shall see how long he
+will stay in spite of me. Miss Mordaunt, I have seen through your
+intentions, and I am not to be frightened away by the rude mask you
+have 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--is
+to have broken with all social hypocrisies, me whose chief pride is
+to speak my mind plainly without regard of persons. I did not think
+it necessary to measure my words in your presence; it appeared to me
+you had made yourself one of the family, and I thought it best you
+should know the relationship in which we stand to each other."
+
+"Just so," I replied, smiling. "You acknowledge that in raising your
+voice several notes too high when you gave those two humiliated men
+a piece of your mind, your real object was to drive a third person
+out of the house. Be sincere, Francis, confess the truth."
+
+I tried in vain to look her in the face whilst I spoke. She had turned
+her head away, and was kicking the leg of the table.
+
+"I observe, and not for the first time, that you can be disagreeable
+when 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 own
+sake. But never believe, Leopold, whatever stories you hear about me,
+that I am deceitful, that I would play a part. I was myself when I
+made the scene--violent, angry, and burning with indignation. I have
+my whims and fancies, that I know; but I never feign--that would
+ill become me; for, I may say, I have too much good in me to act
+falsely. Yet there are so many contradictory feelings in me that I
+sometimes stand surprised at myself. And let me tell you, Leo, I came
+here to seek consolation from you, but your tone and your words have
+bitterly disappointed me, so much so that for a moment I have asked
+myself whether you were one of those snobs in patent-leather boots,
+who, while expressing horror at an ungloved hand, are yet not afraid
+of soiling its whiteness by boxing your wife's ears. Because I did not
+observe 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 sharply
+had I not succeeded in controlling myself.
+
+"Pardon me, Francis, I should consider myself the greatest of cowards
+to strike a woman; but it was no question of a woman just now. We were
+speaking of Major Frank--Major Frank who is angry when reminded of
+the 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 without
+mincing matters."
+
+Francis listened this time without interrupting me. She was staring
+at 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 I
+think we are quits. Are we again good friends?"
+
+"There's nothing I desire more ardently; but, once for all, with
+whom? 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 could
+no longer keep back. How gladly I would have kissed them away, and
+pressed her to my heart and told her all! But I could not compromise
+my commencing victory.
+
+"Should I have spoken to you in this way, Francis, if I had not been
+your sincere friend?"
+
+"I see it now, and I have need of a sincere friend. Well then, the
+Captain is ruining himself for our sakes; and grandfather, in a most
+cowardly 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 in
+this place for life with the Captain. When he has rendered himself
+poor for our sakes, I cannot send him away. Now do you understand I
+had 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 way
+to such fits of violence puts herself in the wrong, even though she
+have right on her side. Just think for a moment what a scene if the
+Captain 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 right
+in principle; but let me beseech you to change your manner of
+proceeding. The gentleness of a woman is always more persuasive than
+the transports of passion. You have told me your early education was
+neglected; 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 at
+the Castle----"
+
+"As long as you will keep me, Francis."
+
+"Well, stay as long as you can--that is, if you can fall in with our
+ways. 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 couple
+of days."
+
+I handed over my purse, and told her to take out of it as much as
+she required. What a strange creature! What a comic conclusion to
+our battle!
+
+I also felt as if a little fresh air would do me good, and so I walked
+off to the village post-office with my letter to Overberg.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+
+Downstairs I met the General ready for a walk, and he offered to
+accompany me. He had also a letter for the post, which was a secret
+to be kept from Francis; and he expected to find a packet awaiting
+him, which could not be entrusted to a servant. The packet was there
+amongst the letters marked poste restante; but when he had opened
+it 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 we
+walked back from the post. "Such business I must manage unknown to her;
+she does not understand these things, and she would not agree with
+me; and with her temper--at my age I have great need of quiet--that
+you comprehend. The Captain is entirely indebted to me for his rank,
+and it is but natural he should pay me some little attention. Yet you
+heard how my granddaughter took the matter up this morning. Instead of
+being content with me for retiring to this wilderness of a place, which
+I 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 the
+slightest 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 that
+I have been in want of all my life. There are so many mortgages
+on the Castle that nobody would give the sum necessary to pay
+them. Besides, the person who bought it would like to possess the
+neighbouring estates. My sister-in-law, who possessed the Runenberg
+estates bordering on my property, wished to buy it, but I refused
+her; family hatred would not suffer me to make room for her. Thank
+heaven, she's gone. She instituted proceedings against me about a
+strip of land of no real value to either of us; and the lawsuit cost
+me thousands of guilders. She won, as a matter of course, and then
+laid claim to a small bridge which connected the land in question
+with my grounds. Again I lost my money and my case; and now I must
+make a long round to reach places quite near, because the use of the
+bridge 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 say
+that the heir to the Runenberg is likely to make you an advantageous
+offer for the Werve."
+
+"It could be done privately--as in the case of the farms? Overberg
+arranged that for me--and there are reasons for avoiding a public
+sale," cried the old man, brightening up with a ray of hope.
+
+"Yes, Overberg said as much; the only question was whether you could
+be induced to sell it."
+
+"For myself, yes, with all my heart. But Francis--there's the
+rub! She has an affection for this old rats' nest, for the family
+traditions, and for heaven know's what; nay, even for the title which
+its possession carries with it. God bless the mark! She has got it
+into 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 her
+only chance of doing it is to make a rich marriage. Formerly she had
+chances enough amongst the rich bachelors, but she treated them all
+slightingly; 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 her
+if I sold it without her consent. Besides, she has a right to be
+consulted. When she came of age I had to inform her that her mother's
+fortune was nearly all spent. It was not my fault. Sir John Mordaunt
+kept up a large establishment, and lived in English style, without
+English money to support it; for he was only a second son, and his
+captain's pay was not large. A little before his death he lost an
+uncle, to whose property and title Francis would have succeeded if
+she had been a boy. Shortly after this event my son-in-law died of
+apoplexy, and I was left guardian to Francis. My evil fate pursued
+me still, and being in want of a large sum of money to clear off a
+debt, which would disgrace the family if not paid at once, Francis
+generously offered me her whole fortune. I accepted it, as there was
+no alternative, but only as a loan; and promised to leave the Werve
+to her at my death."
+
+"But Francis is your only grandchild--or stay, I have heard you had
+a son, General; has he children?"
+
+"My son is--dead," Von Zwenken answered, with a strange kind of
+hesitancy in his voice. "He was never married so far as I know--at
+least, he never asked my consent to a marriage; and if he has left
+children 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 it
+without reckoning with her."
+
+It struck me that Aunt Sophia had never foreseen this, and the mine
+she had been digging for Von Zwenken would have blown up Francis in
+the ruins if things had been allowed to take their course. I had, in
+fact, at my side, a type of the most refined selfishness, profoundly
+contemptible, recounting to me his shameful scheming under the cover
+of a gentlemanlike exterior and a polite friendliness, which might
+deceive the shrewdest man alive. Could I any longer wonder why Francis
+had so great an aversion to outward forms and ceremonies.
+
+"But," I resumed, "are you not afraid that after your death your
+granddaughter will be sadly undeceived, and perhaps cheated out of
+her all by your negligence."
+
+"What can I say, mon cher? Necessity knows no law; and I still hope
+to 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 the
+post-office. I believed I had seen it contained long lists of numbers;
+they were certainly the official numbers of some German lottery. The
+unhappy man evidently rested all his hopes on this expedient for
+re-establishing order in his affairs; and probably invested every
+penny he could scrape together in such lotteries. I though him an
+idiot to trust to any such means.
+
+"Nephew," he exclaimed, briskly, and with vivacity, as if a bright
+idea had struck him, "if it be true Overberg intends to treat with me
+about the sale of the Castle, would it not be well for you to break
+the subject to Francis, just to sound her? It appears to me you have
+some influence over her; and the greatest obstacle would be removed
+if 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 Captain
+would become less of a necessity for me if I were in some town where
+other society is to be found."
+
+Fortunately I did not need to answer him: we were at home, the luncheon
+bell was ringing, and the Captain came out to meet us, jovial as
+ever. Francis had not returned, and we took luncheon without waiting
+for her. Only at dinner-time did she put in an appearance. Her toilette
+was simply made, but she was dressed in good taste, and her beauty
+brought out to perfection. I was charmed. She seemed to tell me in
+a silent way that Major Frank had given place to Miss Mordaunt. She
+was quiet and thoughtful at dinner, and did not scold the Captain,
+who watched all her movements with dog-like humility. She paid much
+attention to the General, who seemed absent and out of sorts, for he
+only tasted some of the dishes. The dinner itself was a much simpler
+affair than on the preceding day; yet there was sufficient, and one
+extra dish had been made specially for Von Zwenken, who did not ask
+for the finer sorts of wine, but made up for this want by drinking two
+bottles of the ordinary wine without appearing any the worse for it.
+
+The only difference between him and the Captain was, that unlike the
+latter, he did not frankly confess that he lived to eat, and that
+his belly was his god. I began to feel a most hearty contempt for
+this grand-uncle of mine, and more especially when I reflected on
+the conversation we had had during our morning's walk.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+
+Dinner over, I did not hesitate about leaving the gentlemen
+to themselves. I declined a cigar, and followed Francis to the
+drawing-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 by
+that hateful nickname? Can't you see by her elegant dress she desires
+to appear herself--Miss Mordaunt?"
+
+"Indeed I am a blockhead not to pay better attention; but the truth
+is, 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 we
+not, Jonker?"
+
+"May I say one word," interposed the Captain, "before the Freule and
+the Jonker begin to philosophise; should the General come in I cannot
+say it. You know the day after to-morrow is the General's seventy-sixth
+birthday. I had intended the celebration to be a brilliant affair;
+but when I hear of wrong tracks, changes, and such farrago, I begin
+to fear all my plans will fall through."
+
+"Oh! was that the reason you brought in all those dainties this
+morning?"
+
+"Yes, and I thought the Jonker would be an agreeable addition to
+our 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 his
+arrangements, carefully shutting the folding-doors behind him so as
+to isolate us from the dining-room.
+
+I was just going to compliment Francis on the change in her style of
+dressing, when she complained of the closeness of the room, and skipped
+off into the garden. Left thus to my own resources, I lit a cigar
+and 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 see
+the sun set. Instead of taking the regular path, Francis preferred
+making direct for the object in view; and we had to trample through
+the underwood, and were many times tripped by the roots of felled
+trees. In answer to my remarks on this whim of hers, she replied--
+
+"People say my education was neglected, which is not quite correct. I
+am not altogether a child of the wilderness. In fact, much trouble
+was given to my training, only it was not of the right sort. I was
+brought up as a boy. As you know already, my mother died a few days
+after my birth, and Rolf's sister was my nurse. Her own child had
+died, and I replaced it for her. She had a blind affection for me,
+almost bordering on fanaticism; she obeyed all my wishes, giving as
+an excuse to any remonstrances that she was the only person in the
+world who loved me. This was an exaggeration, for my grandfather, who
+lived in the same house with us, made much of me, though it is true
+Sir John Mordaunt took little notice of his child. He had previously
+had a son called Francis, like myself, on whom all his hopes were
+fixed 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; and
+he received me with so little welcome that I have heard the last hours
+of 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, strong
+child I was. 'Indeed,' she said, 'it might have been a boy.'
+
+"Rolf has since told me that my father seemed suddenly struck by an
+idea. From that day forth he devoted much attention to my training,
+and this has made me what I am. Under pretext of hygiene and English
+custom, I was dressed in a loose costume, 'a boy's suit,' as my nurse
+called it, and I was taught all kinds of gymnastic exercises. They
+hardened me against heat and cold like a young Spartan. Rolf taught
+me the military exercise, and made me quite an adept at fencing,
+and all the young officers who dined with us were invited to have a
+bout with me. Out of complaisance to papa, they allowed me to come
+off victor; and Sir John was sure to reward me splendidly for any
+praise I won. At this time grandfather held the rank of Major, and
+I suppose it was an idea of Rolf's to give me the title of 'Little
+Major,' with which my father was so pleased that he often addressed
+me by this sobriquet, and so gave it the stamp of his authority. I
+well remember, on one occasion, an officer, evidently a stranger,
+addressed me as Miss Francis, which so much surprised me that I
+uttered a good round oath in English--it was Sir John's favourite
+expression; 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 you
+even to this day."
+
+"My nurse of course told me it was wrong, and tried to break me
+of 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 girl
+and could never become a man. I never went to children's parties; I
+was 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 on
+horseback. When my nurse acknowledged she had lost all control over me,
+a tutor was engaged--yes, a tutor: don't be surprised. Sir John had
+never either announced the death of his son or the birth of a daughter
+to his relations in England. For this reason I was isolated from my
+own sex, and even learned to regard it with somewhat of an aversion,
+owing to the conversation of Sir John and Dr. Darkins. I profited by
+such training, though perhaps not exactly as they desired, for I hated
+a lie, and my chief desire was to show myself such as I was, proud
+and frank in all my dealings with men. I am convinced grandfather
+had no hand in this plot, but he was too weak to speak out and set
+his face against it. Sometimes, however, he gave me needlework to do,
+and he had a strong aversion to Dr. Darkins. Disputes arose between
+him 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 that
+I should be sent to an aristocratic ladies' boarding-school. There I
+played all sorts of pranks, smoked like a grenadier, and had always
+a supply of extra-fine cigarettes wherewith to tempt my schoolfellows.
+
+"The cause of this great change in my life was brought about in this
+way. Aunt Ellen, a sister of my father's, had come over to Scheveningen
+with her husband for the bathing season, and thence she made a flying
+visit to see her brother, taking everybody by surprise--nobody more
+so than Sir John himself.
+
+"'Francis must be a big boy now; what are you going to make of him?' I
+heard her ask my father.
+
+"'There's nothing to be made of him,' my father answered angrily in
+his 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 believed
+you had a son, and you have done nothing to undeceive us; and the
+old 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 mean
+by it? Have you acted like a gentleman?'
+
+"Papa lisped something about 'absolute necessity,' and seemed anxious
+to induce her to co-operate in his schemes. The proud lady burst
+forth 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 listening
+with all my ears.
+
+"I obeyed very unwillingly, and not until I had spoken to Aunt
+Ellen. He ordered me to hold my tongue, and there was a mingling
+of menace, of anxiety, and embarrassment in his looks which drove me
+sheer out of the room. I had never seen him look like that before. What
+passed between them I cannot say. Aunt Ellen afterwards gave me fifty
+pounds, and promised to make me that yearly allowance if my conduct
+was satisfactory at school. I told her I hated girls' schools, and
+that I should much prefer going to England with Dr. Darkins, as had
+been promised me.
+
+"'That's out of the question, my child.' More she did not say, and
+I knew better than to ask Sir John any questions.
+
+"Well, as you may imagine, I did not stay a whole year at school. In
+some things I had the advantage of the eldest girls, whilst in others I
+was more stupid and ignorant than the children in the lowest class. My
+knitting 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, to
+make matters worse, if any one laughed at me for my awkwardness,
+or punished me for my carelessness, I flew into the most violent
+passion. I fought with the assistant-mistress, and boxed the ears
+of any girl who called me Major Frank--a girl from the same town as
+myself having betrayed me. Before I had been there six weeks I ran
+away, and had to be taken back by Sir John himself; but six months
+later I was dismissed as an untractable, incorrigible creature, whose
+conduct was pernicious in its effect on the rest of the school. The
+dismissal, however, was an injustice to me. Music was the only thing
+I liked at school, and the music master was the only teacher who had
+never 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 followed
+to inquire into the cause of the disturbance. Of course the master
+had the first word, and he was base enough to say I had become so
+violent on account of his correcting my fingering. When asked for my
+explanation, I answered that I would not contradict a liar--it was
+beneath my dignity.
+
+"I declined to apologize, and was threatened with the severest
+punishments known in the school. They shut me up in a room and fed
+me on bread and water, but all in vain; the mistress was obliged to
+write for my father.
+
+"He sent my old nurse to fetch me away, and I confided the truth
+to 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 was
+so glad to get away from the school that I prevented her carrying out
+her 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 fuss
+about a kiss. The music master kisses me,' she continued, 'and all the
+others who are pretty,' as he says. Still, we are much too sensible
+to 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 a
+servant 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 ever
+very polite to my face, and calumniated me directly my back was
+turned. Thus, you see, under these forms of decorum all kinds of lies
+and infamy are hidden."
+
+"Francis, I am quite of your opinion that a man's fine manners are
+no guarantee of his morality or uprightness; but do you think society
+would be improved by turning all its sin, wretchedness, and ugliness
+to 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 obliged
+to 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 to
+social life an aspect which renders it supportable."
+
+As we returned from the ruin the sky had become misty, and the sun
+was setting behind the clouds, its presence being only marked by the
+orange and purple rays struggling through the mist; the fields were
+already invisible under this wet sheet of nature's procuring. It
+was time for us to seek shelter from such humidity as surrounded
+us. Francis proposed to enter the house with all speed.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+
+Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of
+her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
+
+She went on to say that a Swiss governess was engaged to teach her
+needlework and other ladylike accomplishments.
+
+"My father," she said, "seeing all his plans foiled by the unexpected
+visit of my English aunt, left me entirely in the hands of my
+governess. And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the
+old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship,
+and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the
+accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of
+exchange from that source. It was these bills of exchange which had
+enabled him to keep up such an expensive establishment. He ought now
+to have adopted a plainer style of living; but he preferred drawing
+upon his capital.
+
+"I thought it my duty to write to Aunt Ellen, and to tell her the truth
+about my having left the school. She answered me in affectionate terms,
+and enclosed the annual fifty pounds with many exhortations to industry
+and much good advice. She even promised me I should come to London on
+a 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 English
+relations since.
+
+"Mademoiselle Chelles, my governess, was a woman of tact, and won
+my affection and esteem. In the long walks we took together our
+conversation was confidential, and she spoke of the sufferings of the
+poor, 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 had
+ever done before. She inspired me with a love for the beauties of
+nature, and awoke the better feelings which, thus far, had lain
+dormant; assisting me in my preparation for confirmation. Perhaps
+she 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 with
+her. She could not bear the grand soudard, the 'ogre,' as she called
+him; for his manners frightened her, and he made his offer in such
+a maladroit fashion that she walked off to my father, and said she
+would leave the house if ever that man were allowed to put his foot
+into it again. This, as everybody said, was assuming the 'high tone'
+on her part. Grandfather and nurse were on Rolf's side, and my father
+answered--'It's only a governess, let her go.' I myself said little
+for her; I was too anxious to regain my ancient liberty--though I have
+since known the loss I sustained in losing her. I was young then;
+my father ought to have known better. Even to the present day this
+is 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 hunted
+together, and when he allowed me to drive I was ever ready to show
+off 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 person
+in the world who really loved me. I had to take her place, and fulfil
+the duties of mistress in the household. My father was expecting a
+visitor from England----"
+
+She stopped abruptly, and fixing her beautiful blue eyes on me with
+a 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 have
+sometimes suffered from the intermittent fever called love?"
+
+"I have done my best, cousin, to escape it. Knowing myself to be
+too poor to maintain a wife in these expensive times, I have always
+observed a strict reserve in my relations with them in order not to
+be 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 you
+will 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, who
+is neither a fool nor a coxcomb, but who, on the contrary, has given
+evidences of his shrewdness and penetration, not to observe pretty
+quickly that a girl--how shall I express myself?--that a girl is
+deeply attached to him, even though no word of love has been exchanged
+between them?"
+
+I was greatly embarrassed. What could be her meaning? Was this
+simplicity or maliciousness on her part, to address such a question
+to me? After a few moments' reflection, however, I answered--
+
+"I believe that, in general, both men and women very quickly discover
+the mutual feelings which they entertain towards each other, even
+though no words on the subject have passed between them."
+
+"That is my opinion also now; but at the time I am referring to I was
+as inexperienced as a child. My father's friends always regarded me
+as an ill-bred girl, whimsical and capricious, a sort of savage whom
+nobody cared to invite into society either for the sake of their sons
+or daughters. The young officers who visited at our house would try
+to make themselves agreeable; but their conduct appeared so insipid,
+so ridiculous, that I only mocked them, and gave such biting replies
+as to disconcert the most intrepid amongst them.
+
+"It was at this time that Lord William came to stay with us. He
+was introduced to me as a schoolfellow of my father's; at Eton he
+had been Sir John's fag, and indeed was his junior by only a few
+years. For some reason, unexplained to me, it was said he had been
+obliged to leave England, and my father offered him the suite of
+rooms left vacant by my grandfather. Lord William appeared to be
+rich; he brought over an immense quantity of luggage, and paid right
+royally for any service rendered him. I believe, indeed, he had a
+private agreement with my father about the housekeeping expenses,
+though neither of them ever told me so. Now a housekeeper was engaged
+to assist me in the management of the house, and yet it was with
+the greatest difficulty that I could adapt myself to the duties
+of 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 his
+use. Moreover, he was highly gifted with the faculty of communicating
+his knowledge to others in a pleasant and agreeable manner. He was an
+enthusiastic lover of art and poetry; he could read and even speak
+several modern languages, and was passionately fond of antiquities
+and ancient history. He knew--what we were all ignorant of--that the
+library of our own small town possessed works of inestimable value on
+these subjects, and I think this was his reason for choosing it as
+his place of sojourn on the Continent. At all events he made great
+use of the library. You may understand my surprise at seeing a man,
+evidently of high rank, who cared neither for hunting nor noisy
+pleasures of any kind, and who declared the happiest moments of his
+life to be those spent in his study, and yet withal he was a perfect
+gentleman and man of the world. The gentlemen said he was ugly;
+the ladies were silent on that point, but appeared delighted with
+the slightest attention he paid them. I thought he bore a striking
+resemblance to our Stadtholder William III., though less pale. He had
+a high forehead, strongly marked features, and dark eyes, which made
+you 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 not
+to detain you too long, I will at once confess he exercised a powerful
+influence over me for good. I soon discovered that my manners were
+displeasing to him, and that he evinced towards me a compassionate
+sympathy, as if he regretted the sad turn my tastes had taken. One
+day I overheard him ask my father why he did not take me out into
+society. He gave as a reason my wild and brusque manners, and the
+kind of society to be found in a small town like ours. Lord William
+was not a man to be easily discouraged. He spoke to me privately
+about my previous life, and put all sorts of questions to me about
+my education. I told him everything, in my own way, without trying
+to 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 my
+tastes. He soon made me acquainted with the masterpieces of German and
+French literature, and discovered to me the beauties of the classics
+in his own language; and I learnt from him most assiduously that
+which 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 thread
+of my narrative. It is at your desire I recount to you the story of
+my past life; and how much wiser would you be if I were to compress
+it into a sentence like this for instance: 'Lord William came to our
+house 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 was
+jealous of the praise lavished on this stranger. And what right had
+I to be jealous?
+
+She was the first to break the silence which ensued.
+
+"Leopold," she said, "I perceive that this account of the events of
+my youth is anything but agreeable to you. If you had left us as I
+wished you to do this morning, I should not now be wearying you with
+my 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 with
+all the strength of a first love, and with all that innocency of a
+young heart which does not yet even know that the passion which sways
+it is love. I soon found that Lord William was dearer to me than all
+the world beside, and that my chief delight was to obey him in all
+things, to consult him on all occasions, and to accompany him when and
+wherever it was possible. I even found means to interest myself in his
+archæological researches. I translated for him Dutch documents which
+formerly I would not have taken the trouble to read. Besides, finding
+that, like most men, he was fond of a good dinner, I took care to have
+such dishes prepared as I knew to be to his liking. I began to pay
+attention to my dress, because he himself, without going to extremes
+or exceeding the bounds of good taste, was always well dressed. He
+introduced me into the society of our small town, and I felt vexed
+every time he paid the least attention to another lady, though I took
+care not to let him see it. We also gave dinners and received company,
+and the ladies were greatly astonished at the manner in which Major
+Frank played the hostess. The winter was drawing to a close, and it
+had been settled that, on the first fine day which offered, we should
+all make an excursion to the Werve. My grandfather had returned to
+the garrison, and I was soon aware he disapproved of my sentiments
+towards 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 in
+my hand, when I heard my grandfather and father, who sat on a bench
+underneath, speaking of Lord William and myself in terms which excited
+my curiosity.
+
+"Grandfather, in a very bad humour, said: 'She is always parading him
+about, and he pays no attentions to anybody but her. In your place,
+I should ask him to declare his intentions, and then the engagement
+can be publicly announced.'
+
+"My father burst out in a loud laugh.
+
+"'Major,' he said, 'what are you thinking of? William, whose intentions
+are perfectly honest, was at school with me; he is only two or three
+years my junior, and Francis has not completed her seventeenth year.'
+
+"'What does that matter? He does not look much over thirty, and I
+tell you she's madly in love with him. How is it possible you have
+never perceived it yourself?'
+
+"'Bless me, Major!' cried my father, 'you must know that William is
+married; and, moreover, I am very grateful to him for acting the part
+of mentor to Francis; indeed she had need of one!'
+
+"'In truth, Sir John, either you are too simple, or you indulge a
+confidence in your friend I cannot approve of.'
+
+"'You would have the same confidence in him that I have, if you knew
+him as well. He is every inch a gentleman, sir, and if I hinted the
+slightest suspicion he would leave the house instantly. And, besides,
+he is generous, very generous--I am deeply indebted to him. His stay
+with us is almost at its close. He must return to London to preside
+at the meeting of some society of antiquarians of which he is the
+president. The disagreeable affair which obliged him to come to
+the Continent is almost arranged. He was afraid of a lawsuit which
+would have caused much scandal in high life, but the mediators are
+now hopeful of success. His wife, who is travelling in the South with
+his relations, has written him a very humble letter, imploring him to
+forget and to forgive. He has told me his mind is not yet quite made
+up, but that he has a great repugnance to a divorce; probably then----'
+
+"Hereupon the two speakers got up and walked away into the garden. As
+for 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 read
+me! I loved--I loved with passion, and all at once I discovered my
+passion to be a crime. And he, had he not deceived me by leaving me in
+ignorance of what it was most important for me to know? Ought he not to
+have foreseen the danger into which he was leading me by his kind and
+affectionate treatment? Without doubt he felt himself invulnerable;
+without doubt he still loved his absent wife. It is true that with
+his kind manners he always maintained a certain reserve with me; once,
+indeed, and once only, he had kissed my hand with marks of tenderness
+for some attention or other I had shown him. That night I could not
+sleep 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 I
+considered his deception towards me; but he was not at home, and
+would not return before dinner. At table I could not help showing
+him how much my feelings towards him had changed. This he observed,
+and when the other gentlemen lit their cigars after dinner, instead
+of following me to the drawing-room, as was his wont, he took a cigar
+and stayed with them. I remembered that I could smoke also, and I
+followed his example. I saw him frown; he threw away his cigar, and
+invited 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 cannot
+understand the reason for this change in your behaviour towards me.'
+
+"'On a little reflection, my lord, you will easily discover the
+reason. You know how much I love plain-speaking.'
+
+"'Very good.'
+
+"'What can I think of you when I hear from other people that you
+are 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 all
+others?'
+
+"'Sir John has told me nothing; I have heard it by accident. By
+accident, you understand, my lord, and now I think I have the right
+to hear from your own lips more particulars about your wife.'
+
+"He drew back some paces; his features became so contracted under an
+expression of violent suffering that I myself was afraid. For a time
+he 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 arrived
+when I could give you such a mark of confidence. There is too much
+of bitterness in your tone for me to suppose your question arises
+out of an interest in my sorrows, and only those who have such an
+interest have a claim to my explanations. Is it a young girl like
+you that I should choose out by preference, in whom to confide the
+sad secrets of my unhappy marriage? And how could I begin to speak
+about 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 danger
+in leaving me ignorant of your marriage?'
+
+"'No, certainly not. I came here to divert my thoughts from my
+troubles, and to seek solace--which I have found--in my favourite
+studies. I made your acquaintance in the house of your father, who
+received me hospitably; and I thought I perceived your education had
+been neglected, nay, that even a false turn had been given to your
+ideas. This I have tried to remedy and I must acknowledge you have
+gratefully appreciated and seconded my efforts; but it does not follow
+that I ought to acquaint you with all my personal affairs and all
+my griefs and troubles. I fled from England to escape the condolence
+of my friends and the raillery of my adversaries. I wished to avoid
+a lawsuit in which my name--a name of some renown in England--would
+have been exposed to the comments of a public ever hungering after
+scandal. Could I have talked to you on such a subject? It would have
+cast a gloom over the golden dreams of your youth, and rendered the
+autumn 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 seeing
+that my ignorance of your marriage has caused me to embark on a sea of
+illusions, where in the spring-time of life I shall suffer shipwreck.'
+
+"A movement of fright escaped him. I broke forth in complaints and
+reproaches; he fell back on a divan and covered his face with his
+hands. He protested he had never guessed at such an idea, never even
+suspected anything of the sort. Afterwards, when I had eased my mind
+and was sitting sobbing before him, he recovered himself, and coming
+over to me he said, in his usual calm and affectionate tone--
+
+"'My child, there is much exaggeration in all you have told me. Your
+imagination has been struck, and you have suffered it to carry you
+away, so that you believe all you say now; but I can assure you, you
+are mistaken. You are impressionable, susceptible, but too young to
+understand the real passion of love. At your age, young girls have
+very often some little love affair with the engaging young dancer
+they met at the last ball. You, who have been kept out of society on
+account of the masculine education you had received, have known no
+such temptations; but perhaps for this very reason you were the more
+exposed to illusions of another kind, which I confess I ought to have
+foreseen, namely, that of falling in love with the first gentleman
+who showed you more than the usual attentions of common civility. I
+happen to be this man. We have read several plays of Shakespeare
+together. Every young girl may imagine herself a Juliet; but that
+is 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 would
+be. I am about the same age as your father; I am turning gray; I
+should also be as stout, but for a disease which threatens me with
+consumption. All this is far from poetic, is it not? Exercise your
+reason, your good sense, and you will be the first to acknowledge
+that 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. He
+approached me, and laying his hand on my shoulder, with the greatest
+gentleness said--
+
+"'I was married one year before your father, and though I have no
+children, I might have had a daughter of your age. I had accustomed
+myself, gradually, to regard you as my own daughter; you deprive me
+of this pleasure, for the present at least, though I am sure you will
+one 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 of
+abasement to which the passions may lead a woman who has not energy
+enough to overcome them. If I had a son--I have only a nephew, who
+will be heir to my title and property--and if----"
+
+"'Thank you, my lord, I could never address you as my uncle!' and
+I burst out in an hysterical laugh. There was a beautiful edition
+of Shakespeare lying on the table, a present from him; I took it up
+and tore it leaf from leaf, scattering them about the room. At the
+same instant my maid knocked at the door; she came to remind me it
+was time to dress for the ball. We had accepted invitations for this
+evening to the house of a banker, one of the most prominent men in our
+province. My pride having been touched to the quick, I determined to
+seek solace in the wildest excitement. I flirted with the only son
+of this banker, who all through the winter had been very attentive
+to me. I felt much pleasure in showing Lord William how easily I
+could forget him; but my eyes were all the while furtively following
+him to see the effect my conduct might produce. He remained calm and
+cool as ever. After a while he seated himself at the card-table, and
+lost a considerable sum of money to my grandfather. On the morrow,
+I perceived preparations were being made for his departure in all
+haste. Lord William had received the letters he had so long expected,
+and seemed to have no time to notice me. I became transported with
+passion, when my father told me at luncheon that the banker's son had
+asked permission to wait upon me in the course of the afternoon. You
+can understand my rage. 'What a falling-off was there!'--from Lord
+William 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 accustomed
+to in Sir John. 'You have given the young man encouragement, and you
+had better reflect on the consequences of refusing such a good offer.'"
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+
+"Poor Charles Felters was quite thunderstruck at the reception
+I gave him. His gay partner of last evening's dance had changed
+into a veritable fury. I told him plainly I didn't care a jot for
+him. He hesitated, he stammered, and couldn't make up his mind to
+go. 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 the
+room. Scarcely knowing what I was about, I seized a foil, handed it
+to my would-be lover, and taking another myself, I took up my position
+on 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 a
+voyage round the world to escape from me; but the truth is he only
+made 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 the
+father of a family; nevertheless, all his relations bear me the most
+intense hatred, and lose no opportunity of serving me a malicious
+turn. I still held my foil in my hand when Lord William entered the
+room. His look was sufficient to show me his disapprobation.
+
+"'If your father had taken my advice, Francis,' he said, 'he would
+have waited some little time before informing you of the intentions of
+Felters; still there was no reason for your acting in this way. For
+shame to treat a poor fellow, who perhaps never had a foil in his
+hand before, in such a manner. But, well! I have always hesitated
+about putting you to the test; permit me now, however, to take the
+place 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 decline
+his challenge, and I determined to show him that he was not fencing
+with an inexperienced girl. He handled his foil with a lightness and
+firmness of hand I had little expected to find in a man of letters,
+confining himself, however, to parrying my attacks only; and yet this
+he did so skilfully that I was unable to touch him. I exhausted myself
+in 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 falling
+in upon him I broke my foil upon his breast. He, with a smile, had
+neglected to parry this attack, and I saw a thin stream of blood
+trickle down his shirt-front. Now I was overwhelmed with sorrow and
+repentance. 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 will
+perhaps cure her of her taste for such unladylike weapons.'
+
+"'I will never, never more touch them,' I cried in terror when I saw
+his pocket-handkerchief, which he had applied to the wound, saturated
+with blood.
+
+"And I have kept my word, though it has not prevented my obtaining
+a wide reputation as a duellist. Neither Charles Felters nor the
+servant of Lord William could hold their tongues, though the latter
+had been forbidden by his master to say a word on the subject. I was
+reminded very unpleasantly, next time I appeared in the town, that
+the affair had become public property. Lord William would not allow us
+to send for a surgeon, but had the wound dressed by his own servant;
+and, fortunately, it turned out to be less dangerous than I feared
+at first. I sought my own room, and hid myself there with all the
+remorse of a Cain. I resolved to throw myself at his feet and beg his
+pardon. But the reaction to my excited state of feelings had now set
+in, and I fell exhausted on a sofa, where I slept for several hours
+a feverish kind of sleep. When I awoke Lord William was gone. After
+this I was seriously ill; and on my recovery my grandfather took me
+as soon as possible to the Werve for the fresh country air. Sir John
+told me, when I was quite well, that Lord William had certainly given
+proof of his good-nature to allow me to touch him; for while at Eton
+he had been considered one of the best fencers in the school, and
+just before quitting England he had fought a duel with an officer in
+the Horse Guards, and wounded him in a manner that report said was
+likely to be fatal.
+
+"My answer to this was that I had never suspected Lord William of
+being a duellist.
+
+"'That he never was; but in this instance his honour was at stake. He
+could not leave the insult of this captain unpunished. Perhaps,
+however, he would have acted more justly if he had put his wife
+to death; and though an English jury would certainly have brought
+him in guilty of murder, yet, considering the great provocation he
+had received, public opinion would have sympathized with him in the
+highest degree. Now he is reconciled to her again, at least in outward
+appearance; but he has written to me that he is going to make a tour
+all 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 now
+followed in rapid succession. My father died suddenly; my grandfather
+was promoted in rank, and we removed to Zutphen, where I proposed
+to begin a new life. But though we break with our antecedents, it is
+impossible to sponge out the past. However, more of this hereafter. I
+must attend to the other gentlemen, otherwise I shall be accused of
+neglecting my duties. I will tell you more of this history at another
+time if it interests you; for it is a relief to me to confide it to
+a friend. Only never begin the subject yourself, as there are moments
+when 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 passed
+through 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 I
+tried to think these were her "campaign years," as she calls them,
+though it was evident her heart had suffered long before she attained
+her twenty-fifth birthday. If she had told me of deception, so common
+in the world, of an engagement broken off, of a misplaced affection,
+such things would not have troubled my peace of mind. What affected
+me was to think this Englishman had won the place in her affections
+which I wished to be the first to occupy--that place which permits
+a man to inspire a woman with confidence, and exercise over her an
+influence authoritative and beneficial. Time had done much to cool
+her love for him, but she had not forgotten him; and it was certainly
+a devotion to his memory which rendered her so indifferent to the
+merits of other men. I wondered if she had told me all this history
+in order to make me comprehend the improbability of my being able
+to replace her ideal. Had she not told me on the heath, on our first
+meeting, that if she suspected I came to demand her hand in marriage,
+she would leave me there and then? I felt myself diminishing in her
+estimation. And there was a portrait of William III. hanging over
+the 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 vain
+shadow. Eight years had passed since these events. She was no longer a
+little girl, who could imagine she saw a Romeo in her mentor who was a
+long 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 of
+committing an imprudence, I made up my mind to ask her whether she
+regarded the loss of her Lord William as irreparable. It was necessary
+for me to know what chance of success was left me.
+
+This night I slept little, for I was rolling over in my mind all
+sorts of extravagant declarations which I intended to make to my
+cousin next day. This, however, was the day preceding the General's
+birthday, and Francis was fully occupied with the Captain in making
+all sorts of preparations; so that during the whole day I never once
+could find a suitable moment to begin the subject. The master of the
+village school would bring up to the Castle his best pupils to recite
+verses made for the occasion; the clergyman and the notables would
+also come to offer their congratulations.
+
+Francis sent me to the post-office to fetch a registered letter for
+her. [4] General von Zwenken was in a bad humour because Rolf had no
+time to amuse him, and finding myself rather in the way I went off
+to my room to write.
+
+Here in the afternoon I found on my table a little Russian leather
+case, on which my initials had been embroidered above the word
+Souvenir. Inside I found a bank-note equivalent to the sum Francis had
+borrowed of me; on the envelope which inclosed it she had written,
+in a bold hand, the word Merci, her name, and the date. The case
+itself was not new. Poor dear girl! she must have sat up half the
+night to work my initials in silk, as a surprise. I now felt more
+than ever how dear she was become to me, and I promised myself not
+to temporize any longer. Then the idea occurred to me: If I can get
+her permission, I will ask her hand of the General to-morrow after
+I have congratulated him on his birthday.
+
+This idea threw me into a transport of joy. I got up from my chair
+with the intention of seeking my cousin and bringing matters to a
+crisis 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 hoarse
+voice called several times--
+
+"Francis! Francis!"
+
+Astonished, and wishing to know who this could be, I stood
+motionless. The voice cried again--
+
+"Francis, if you don't open the window I will break the sash all
+to pieces."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+
+As, for very good reasons, Francis gave no answer, a vigorous arm
+forced open the window, and a man sprang into the room, seemingly
+quite indifferent about any damage he might have caused.
+
+"What is your business with Miss Mordaunt?" I asked, advancing towards
+the 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, and
+I am the person surprised."
+
+"Well, yes, my entrance is somewhat irregular," he replied, in the
+most familiar style possible; "however, Mr. Unknown, I am neither a
+thief nor a housebreaker. I have entered in this way because I wished
+no one but Francis to know of my arrival, and I was sure I should find
+her here; but, now I am here, allow me to rest myself whilst I reflect
+a little upon the best means of obtaining an interview with her."
+
+And he threw himself at full length on the old sofa, which creaked
+under his weight.
+
+"Ah! ah!" he continued, examining the walls, "the family portraits
+are gone--eaten away, no doubt, by the moths and the damp."
+
+It was quite clear to me the stranger was not here for the first
+time. Though his manners were free, there was something gentlemanly
+in his personal appearance. Still his dress was fantastic. He wore
+a short velvet jacket with metal buttons, and a silk handkerchief
+loosely 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 some
+minutes. "I have ridden for three hours, and my throat is almost
+choked 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 at
+rest for a moment; his greenish-grey eyes, the fine wrinkles on his
+high sunburnt forehead, and the paleness of his cheeks, all marked
+him as the adventurer endued with strong passions--an impression
+that was increased by his thick-set face, large nose, and the tufted
+mustachios hanging over his thick, sensual lips. I could not refuse
+him a glass of water, unwelcome as I found his presence. As I handed
+it to him I said--
+
+"You seem to know this house well."
+
+"Yes, and that's no wonder; I played many a prank here in my
+boyhood. 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 who
+you are?"
+
+"That's true enough; and I would tell you with pleasure, but it's a
+secret which concerns others besides myself. Call me Mr. Smithson--it's
+the 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 word
+derogatory to the character of Miss Mordaunt, I shall instantly make
+you 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 offensive
+word about Francis. Now, since you know her, you ought to be aware
+that she would never refuse to assist a person in distress out of a
+sense 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 are
+her----I should have thought Francis Mordaunt more capable of
+commanding a batalion than of bowing herself under the yoke of
+marriage. But, after all, women do change their minds. Then you are
+the 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 name
+is Leopold van Zonshoven."
+
+"Well, upon my word! Probably we are cousins, for I am also related to
+the General. Francis will not refuse to come, I assure you--especially
+if 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, and
+possibly yours also--for you seem as yet only half-and-half convinced
+that I am not a highwayman."
+
+I no longer hesitated; but took the precaution to lock my door on
+the outside, lest he should follow me, and surprise Francis before
+I had warned her. Having reached her room I knocked gently, and she
+answered "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?" she
+exclaimed.
+
+"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 to
+give 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, and
+offered to make him retrace his steps if she desired it.
+
+"No, there must be no disturbance," she said, in a state of
+agitation. "My grandfather must not even suspect he is here. I will
+go with you, Leopold; this once you must excuse me if I do anything
+you consider in bad form. How dare he show his face here? I can do
+nothing 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, fast
+asleep. When he saw Francis standing before him, he jumped up as if
+to embrace her, but she drew back. He did not seem hurt, but he lost
+his tone of assurance.
+
+"I understand, Francis, that my return is not a joyful surprise
+to you."
+
+"You have broken your promise. You gave me your word of honour you
+would stay in America. At any rate, you ought never to have set foot
+in your native country again----"
+
+"Don't judge me without having heard----"
+
+"Is it not tempting fortune to come back here to the Werve, where
+you may so easily be recognized?"
+
+"Oh, don't make yourself uneasy on that score, my dear. I have taken
+precautions; and as for breaking my promise, I beg your pardon on my
+bended 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 some
+steps from him.
+
+"Heaven forbid! On the boards, to gain a livelihood, it is another
+thing; but in your presence, before you, Francis, whom I honour and
+love, I wish to justify my conduct. You may condemn me afterwards, if
+you like. It was really my intention never to appear before your eyes
+again. Alas! man is but the puppet of fortune, and I have not been able
+to swim against the stream. I have had all sorts of adventures--but
+can I tell you all now?" he added, looking significantly at me. "To
+tell 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 need
+no protector where I am."
+
+"I know that, but I will not again expose myself to calumny for your
+sake. As for your security, Rudolf, I can answer for my cousin Van
+Zonshoven'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 most
+indifferent shrug of the shoulders, and he again stretched himself at
+full length on the sofa. "The least indiscretion, and my life will be
+forfeited. 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 try
+to 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 was
+heir-presumptive--a presumption which, alas! is destined never to be
+changed 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 'My
+uncle.' It is my own fault. I have never been able to inspire people
+with the necessary respect for me. Well, now, Cousin van Zonshoven,
+you know who I am, but there is one point I must rectify: Rudolf von
+Zwenken 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 something
+like suicide, for he would be arrested and shot."
+
+"And knowing that, after all that has been done to put you beyond
+danger, 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 is
+true we give representations in the provinces; but the person who
+appears in public is Mr. Smithson, so well begrimed that Baron von
+Zwenken himself would not recognize his own son."
+
+"That's very fortunate, for it would be the death of him," retorted
+Francis, harshly.
+
+"How you exaggerate, dearest. Monsieur mon pere never had so much
+affection 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 father
+again."
+
+"Can you be so hard-hearted, Francis?"
+
+"My duty obliges me, and I must have some regard for the feelings of
+your father in the first place."
+
+"But, my dear child, try to understand me. I only wish to kiss his
+hand and beg his pardon. With this object I have run all risks, and
+imposed on myself all kinds of fatigue. I have just ridden hard for
+three hours, hidden myself in the old ruins, climbed the garden wall
+at 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 cannot
+be; you will still be my good angel, and arrange the meeting I so
+much 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 I
+am returned again like the prodigal son, with an empty purse, 'after
+eating 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 in
+clean greenbacks, as a commencement of restitution, an earnest of
+my reform. What do you think my father would say if he found them
+to-morrow morning on his pillow? Don't you think he would receive me
+with 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 of
+restitution. What is this sum in comparison with what you have
+cost him, and all the suffering you have caused him and me? Such
+sacrifices as we had made gave us the right to hope you would leave
+us in peace--forget us."
+
+Rudolf bowed down his head and heaved a deep sigh. I could not help
+pitying the unfortunate man. I should have liked to say something
+in his favour; but the cold, haughty, nay, contemptuous attitude of
+Francis seemed to impose silence on me. There must be some reason,
+I felt sure, for her inexorable severity; consequently I remained a
+passive spectator.
+
+At length Rudolf roused himself from his despondency, drank off a glass
+of water, and, turning towards Francis, said in his most serious tone--
+
+"Just listen, Miss Mordaunt. It appears to me that, under the pretext
+of acting as guardian to my father, you oppose a reconciliation between
+us, 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 will
+be 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 a
+bitter 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!" exclaimed
+Francis, 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 to
+set you at ease about any consequences which might result from my
+reconciliation with my father. To the world I am Richard Smithson,
+American citizen; but let me have the pleasure of being for the few
+minutes I stay here Rudolf von Zwenken, who would speak to his old
+father once more, and take a last farewell of him. How can you oppose
+such 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 father
+in the large drawing-room--I have not forgotten my way about the
+house--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 out
+like an old soldier."
+
+"The devil take Rolf! What's the old ruffian doing here?" spitefully
+exclaimed Rudolf.
+
+"The old ruffian does all he can to cheer the declining years of your
+father, whom you have rendered unhappy by your conduct."
+
+"My misery would not be complete without your contumely," sobbed
+Rudolf. "I came here so cheerful and well disposed."
+
+"Mr. Rudolf," I said, "allow me to arrange an interview for you with
+the 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 know
+it is impossible, and therefore better to say nothing. Rudolf well
+remembers I threw myself at the feet of my grandfather, and besought
+him not to send his son into exile unforgiven, and it only added
+to the pain and sorrow of the scene. Don't forget, either, that you
+yourself caused the report of your death to be spread abroad. The old
+man believed it, and I have since heard him say it was a comfort to
+him. His fears lest you should be arrested, tried, and condemned,
+were only set at rest when he heard the news. Would you renew his
+distress, and put him to these tortures again?"
+
+"It is true, too true--you are right," said Rudolf, quite breaking
+down.
+
+"But you shall not leave the house without some refreshment," returned
+Francis in a kind tone, now she felt her victory to be certain; "I
+will go and fetch you something to eat immediately. Cousin Leopold
+will allow you to have supper and to repose yourself in his room."
+
+Whereupon she left the room, and I was left alone with this singular
+cousin of mine.
+
+"Bah!" he said, "our Major is not to be trifled with. What eyes she
+gave me! I felt as if she would pierce me through and through; and
+yet 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 towards
+a relation," I interposed.
+
+"What shall I say? She knows only my evil deeds as she has heard
+them recounted by my father. When chance or misfortune has thrown us
+two together, it has always been under circumstances which could
+not dispose her in my favour. I have cost her both trouble and
+money--nay, I even fear her reputation has been called in question on
+my account. When I was in trouble she came to my assistance, regardless
+of what public gossip might say. It was at Zutphen. My father's door
+was 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--in
+fact, very seldom except on Sundays. But we were discovered; certain
+idlers took it into their heads to play the spy on us, and Heaven
+only knows what sort of reports they set flying about the town. The
+generous girl had pawned her diamonds in order to assist me, unknown
+to her grandfather. This act of devotion was of course interpreted to
+her disadvantage. You may think it would be more noble on her part
+not 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 horse
+without a defect. Though she were to scratch and to bite me, I would
+still 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 with
+a most voracious appetite.
+
+When he had somewhat allayed his hunger, he began--
+
+"Francis, my darling, where am I to pass the night? I cannot go
+into that part of the house occupied by the General and Rolf, that's
+certain. I would go into the stable and sleep in the hay, but that
+I 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 to
+ride----but Francis, my angel, you are quite pale; have you also sold
+your beautiful English saddle-horse?"
+
+"No, Tancredo is stabled at farmer Pauwelsen's; but it is the
+recollection of Harry Blount which causes me to turn pale. I--it is
+dreadful--I was the cause of his death."
+
+"Nonsense; come, come! In a moment of passion?" (here he made the
+gesture 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 occurred
+during 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 left
+us. Harry wanted to try them himself for the first time, but I took
+it 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 rejoicing
+in my triumph; but still Harry shook his head, and recommended me
+to be prudent. The sky became clouded, and a thunderstorm threatened
+us. In my folly, I urged the horses on still faster, though they were
+already taking the bits between their teeth. Harry became alarmed,
+and tried to take the reins out of my hands; but I resisted, and
+would not give them up. In an instant the thunder began to roll,
+and lightning struck right across our way; the horses took fright and
+began to rear on their hind-legs. Blount jumped off the box to go to
+their 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 violence
+of the shock caused me to swoon. When I was again conscious, I saw
+the unfortunate Blount lying on the road, crushed, with scarcely a
+breath 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 your
+sake, I would that I had been the victim of this accident rather than
+Blount. You would have had one burden less to bear. Don't take it so
+to heart, my child. I have seen others fall from their horses never
+to rise again alive. What can we do? Wait till our turn comes, and
+not 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 the
+ruin? It is a cold place, and doubly so when I think of the parental
+castle close by."
+
+"The truth is, I cannot offer you a room, Rudolf. There is not one
+suitable for the purpose."
+
+"But why cannot Rudolf share mine?" I asked; "I will give up my bed
+to him."
+
+"No," he replied quickly; "I will be content with the sofa, if Francis
+will 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 now
+good-bye. It is time for me to go; otherwise my absence will be
+remarked 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 veritable
+Yankee uncle. I have not discovered a gold mine. Accept at least what
+I 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? I
+have committed many follies in my life--I have been a fool, a
+ne'er-do-weel, a spendthrift, I am a deserter--but a forger of false
+bank-notes! Francis, could you suspect me of such infamy?"
+
+"I wish I had only suspicions, Rudolf; unfortunately I have the
+proofs."
+
+"The proofs!" he cried, in a sorrowful tone of voice; "but that's
+impossible."
+
+"What am I to think of the false letters of exchange in which you
+forged your father's signature? We have got them under lock and key,
+these terrible proofs, and they have cost us dear. I have pardoned
+this fault with the rest, Rudolf; but facts are facts."
+
+"It is impossible, I tell you!" he answered with firmness. "There
+must be some terrible mistake in this case, and I trust you will
+assist me in clearing it up. If my father believes that of me, I am
+not surprised he should rejoice at my death, nor am I astonished you
+despise me. However, I solemnly protest to you by all that's dear to
+me, I am innocent, Francis."
+
+"Yet these bills were presented to Baron von Zwenken, and we paid
+them to prevent a lawsuit. It could not have affected you very much,
+for you were in America; but my grandfather would have been obliged
+to retire from the army."
+
+"Francis, you are possessed of good, sound sense. How dared I have
+committed such an offence just at the time I was in hiding near
+Zutphen, at the moment when you were so generously raising funds
+for my enterprise in America; nay, at the moment when my sincerest
+desire was to carry my father's forgiveness with me into exile? Show
+me these accursed bills, and I will prove my innocence."
+
+"They are in the General's possession; I cannot get at them to show
+you them."
+
+"If we had them here, I would soon prove to you that it is impossible
+for me, with my wretched handwriting, to imitate the fine and regular
+hand 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 filling
+with tears. "My father has been accustomed to spend his leave in
+fashionable watering-places; is it not possible for him there to have
+made the acquaintance of some wretch wicked enough to serve him such
+a turn?"
+
+"For the last few years the General has not been from home, except
+one winter which he spent in Arnheim."
+
+"Can Rolf have done it?"
+
+"No, don't suspect Rolf; he never had any education, but he's the
+honestest man living, and he would pluck out an eye rather than cause
+the old General any trouble."
+
+"Then I don't know whom to suspect. Now take these notes, Francis--they
+are real, I assure you; take them as a proof you still believe
+my word."
+
+"I believe you, Rudolf; but I think you have more need of them than
+I have."
+
+"Never mind me; I have a good position now: first rider in the Great
+Equestrian Circus of Mr. Stonehouse, of Baltimore, with a salary
+of two hundred dollars a month--is it not splendid? You see I have
+not 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 demands
+courage and address. But I will not accept your money; I never take
+back what I have given. To-morrow morning we shall see each other
+again. 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 the
+bottle, 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 making
+Francis a subject of conversation with such a fellow.
+
+"Do you imagine I have no eyes? I know the women, I can assure you. I
+have come across all sorts, and all sizes and colours, in my vagabond
+life; 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 used
+to say of herself. I don't know what you intend to do, but it appears
+to 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 thoroughbred
+horse. With much patience, much attention, and a firm hand that knows
+when to be gentle, so one succeeds. As for myself, I was always too
+rash, too impatient. These gracious devils soon perceive it, and once
+they know it, you are thrown--there's no help for you. After all,
+perhaps I am mistaken," he said, seeing I remained silent; "otherwise
+I 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, I
+acknowledge, yet not more than my own fortune which came to me from
+my mother, as the eldest and only son. John Mordaunt could tell us
+something if he were alive. He got his wife's fortune when they were
+married, and Francis ought to have had something when she came of
+age; 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 to
+the Werve with my tutor, for I had begun to understand and to make
+observations. After the death of my sister I was never invited to
+the house of John Mordaunt. But perhaps it will not interest you to
+listen 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 Breda
+because he was prejudiced against it. He insisted upon my studying
+law at Leyden: this, he said, would lead to a fortune. Ah, I have
+found a fortune!" he repeated, with a bitter laugh. "Since I was
+sent to study for my father's pleasure, I thought it only right
+to seek my own; and, as he made me a fair allowance, I was soon
+noted as the wildest and most extravagant of students. I kept my
+horses and a Tilbury, and ran up enormous bills. Still I attended
+those lectures which interested me, and I had just put on a 'coach'
+for the final examinations, when my father lost a lawsuit against my
+Aunt Roselaer. The supplies were stopped, and I left college without
+having passed my examination as Master in the Law. My father's
+interests obtained for me a place in the financial world, but with
+the condition I should marry a rich heiress. The misfortune was, the
+heiress in question was of an over-ripe age, with a nose too red for
+my taste, and I neglected her. My father grew furious, and declared
+he would discard me. Moreover, I could not settle down to the regular
+routine of a counting-house for several hours a day, and sometimes
+extra work in the evening after dinner. I found in the office an
+old clerk, a regular old stager, who had sat on the same stool at
+the same desk for twenty years without a chance of promotion. This
+is 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 clerk
+started 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 swallowed
+up by this affair and a lawsuit arising out of it. What could I do
+now? I had a good voice, and I proposed to go to some music academy
+abroad, and return as an opera singer. My father would not consent
+to this, and told me the best thing I could do was to enlist in the
+ranks as a common soldier. I caught at this idea in the hope of
+being promoted to the position of an officer at no distant date;
+but I had never been habituated to discipline. I was sent to a
+small fortress on the frontiers; Rolf was my lieutenant, and he
+did 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. One
+fine morning I walked off altogether. I was caught, and I wounded an
+under-officer in self-defence; the charge against me was as clear as
+the light of day. But I succeeded in breaking out of prison. I own I
+was not very strictly guarded, and Francis, as I afterwards learnt,
+had done her utmost to facilitate my escape. Again I was free as
+the air; but I must live. I tried everything. I gave lessons in
+French and in Latin to little German boys, and I taught the little
+Fräuleins music and singing; I was even appointed private singer to an
+Austrian princess, who was deaf, and imagined that my voice resembled
+Roger's. I wandered about with a travelling opera company, and sang
+myself hoarse in the open air. I have been coachman to a baron, and
+travelled for a house in the wine trade, but when they wanted to send
+me to Holland I had to give up the post. Afterwards I was waiter at
+an inn, billiard-marker, valet to the secretary of a Polish count,
+who, appreciating my ability at the noble game of billiards, took
+me to Warsaw, and hastened to initiate me into his plans for the
+'Independence of Poland.' As a matter of course, his enterprise was
+unsuccessful; but he got sent to Siberia, and I myself was kept in
+prison for some weeks because I refused to give evidence against
+him. Again I found myself thrown on the wide world without a penny
+in my pocket. But I will not weary you with a recital of all I have
+done and suffered. Perhaps the best thing, and the simplest, for me to
+have done, would have been to plunge into the Rhine and stay at the
+bottom; but I have always had a repugnance to suicide, and, besides,
+I have always been blest with a fund of good spirits and health. I
+now made a tour of the German watering-places from north to south,
+getting along as best I could, and changing my name very often. Once
+I was imprisoned with a Moldavian prince accused of murder, but I was
+let go, as I could prove my connection with the prince was posterior
+to 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 had
+succeeded in America, and I decided to try my luck there; but I must
+have money. I flattered myself that after ten years my father would
+consent to do something for me. I wrote to Francis. The answer was not
+encouraging. My father threatened, if I dared to cross the frontier,
+he would hand me over to a court-martial. I thought Francis said this
+only to frighten me. I came to Zutphen, well disguised, and there I was
+convinced she had told me the truth. Francis, poor soul, was the only
+person who took pity on me, and you know already what it cost her. And
+when I think she could believe me to be guilty of forgery! Oh, the fact
+is 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 by
+passions. I am not 'passion's slave.' Wine, play, and pleasant company
+have run away with my money, and in some respects I am no more than
+a great baby; but a real passion, a tyrannical passion, capable of
+making me a great man or a great malefactor, such a passion I have
+never known. Some one in our family, on the contrary, has been ruled
+by such a passion; and many things I observed in my boyhood without
+thinking much about them. But you are a discreet man, otherwise
+Francis 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 had
+the honour to be croupier in a gaming-house. There, unrecognized by my
+unfortunate father, I have seen him play with a violence of passion
+of which you can form no idea; and, believe me, in spite of all my
+faults, it is in that way both his own and Francis's fortune have
+been lost. I would have thrown myself at his feet, and besought him
+not to precipitate himself deeper into this abyss; but my position
+prevented me. Still, I watched him without his knowing it, and I soon
+found out for a certainty that he borrowed money of a Dutch banker,
+to whom he gave bills on Francis's property;--and, you see, rather
+than 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 already
+sullied. I only desire to clear myself in Francis's opinion. But to
+conclude my history: I was not more lucky in the New World than I had
+been in Europe; I was shipwrecked and lost my all before I could land
+at New York. I then went to the far West without meeting with anything
+which promised me a future; in short, I felt quite happy when I made
+the acquaintance of Mr. Stonehouse, who engaged me to accompany his
+circus to Europe. And so it has come about that I once more tread
+my native earth under the protection of the American flag. Once so
+near the Werve, I was seized with an irresistible desire to see the
+old place again. My satisfaction and reception have not been very
+flattering, as you have witnessed; but I will keep my promise to
+Francis, cost me what it may. And now good night."
+
+Without awaiting my answer he threw himself at full length on the
+sofa, and soon gave me auricular evidence that he was enjoying the
+profoundest slumber. I had nothing better to do than follow his
+example. 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 surmises
+were right, and that the father had defamed his own son to escape
+the remonstrances of a granddaughter.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+
+When I began to reflect on the coming day, I remembered that it
+would be necessary for me to congratulate my uncle on his birthday;
+and I felt it would require a stretch of the forms of politeness to
+do this in a becoming manner. It occurred to me now that if Francis
+could only see through that little glass window in my breast, she
+would have the best of the argument in future on the subject of the
+conventionalities of society; for I confess to you, dear William,
+I had become a convert to Aunt Sophia's opinions with regard to this
+same General von Zwenken, and now I admired her prudence in preventing
+her 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 manor
+imposed upon him; and one which he performed as he would have done
+any other duty laid down by the military code. The clergyman was old,
+monotonous, and wearisome. The greater part of the congregation went
+to sleep under the effects of his sermon. Francis took up a Bible
+and pretended to read, whilst it seemed to me the wakeful part of the
+congregation paid more attention to us than to their minister; and the
+remarks they whispered about one to another struck me as not being
+very favourable to us. The General alone kept his eyes fixed on the
+preacher throughout the sermon; but whether his mind was so intently
+occupied with the subject matter, I will not take upon myself to say.
+
+On our return the fête commenced. The village schoolmaster brought
+up his scholars, who recited a string of verses glorifying the Baron
+as patron of the school, though I doubt whether he had ever entered
+it. And I believe the same verses had done duty for several generations
+on similar occasions, when the owners of the Werve admitted the master
+and his scholars to an audience.
+
+Then came the Pauwelsens from the farm, who still address the
+General as their landlord; after them some of the villagers. All
+these people were regaled with cake and chocolate. The burgomaster
+[5] called in his turn; he was a regular rustic, and paid a good deal
+more attention to me than to the General. He evidently saw in me a
+mystery which excited his curiosity.
+
+Captain Willibald also put in an appearance, and after congratulating
+my 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. Here
+in 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 an
+occasion; but I will take care to make up for this omission of mine
+very soon."
+
+Uncle rejoined in a whisper--
+
+"The one thing I should like you to do is to reconcile yourself with
+your uncle, the Minister for Foreign Affairs."
+
+Happily it was not necessary for me to reply to this remark. Francis
+entered the room, and quite charmed me by her manner. She was cordial
+to all the visitors--I thought I had never seen a better hostess. I
+saw how amiable she could be when quite at her ease, and not beset by
+fears of what envious tongues might say as soon as her back was turned.
+
+The dinner was beautifully arranged. The Captain had put on his
+full-dress uniform, the General his also, and I had given some extra
+attention to my toilette. Francis was dressed plainly as usual,
+without much regard for the day or the visitors; and yet there was
+something original in her style of dress, an elegance which seemed to
+heighten her beauty considerably. I was struck by the richness and
+weight of the silver, all engraved with the family coat-of-arms. I
+felt sure that the Captain and Francis had put their money together
+to get it from the pawnbrokers for the occasion. At table she took
+her place between the clergyman and myself. The village lawyer, the
+postmaster, and some rough-looking country farmers, together with
+the churchwardens and several members of the local board, had been
+invited to the dinner. Rolf took his place in the midst of them, and
+soon loosened their tongues by pointing out the various sorts of wine,
+and filling up their glasses with no sparing hand. Even the clergyman
+I found to be much more entertaining at table than in the pulpit,
+and the conversation never flagged. Fritz, assisted for the nonce by
+one of the sons of farmer Pauwelsen, had donned a livery which I felt
+pretty certain was the uniform of an officer metamorphosed. He was
+more attentive, and more particular than ever in his manner of serving
+every one; it seemed to me as if he had something on his mind, he was
+so solemn and serious. In spite of myself I could not help thinking
+of the utter ruin this once opulent house had fallen into, and of the
+unhappy son banished from his father's table. As for the General, I had
+never yet seen him in such good spirits. The table so well served, the
+appetizing dishes, and the wines which he had such a delicate manner
+of tasting--all this just suited his epicurean habits. Afterwards
+we drank coffee in the garden, and Rolf insisted upon our drinking
+a bowl of May wine; for he was most anxious to display his skill in
+the composition of this very famous German beverage.
+
+This completed the entertainment, for the country people are accustomed
+to retire early; and the evening was still young when a great lumbering
+coach drew up before the hall door, to convey the visitors back to
+the 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 to
+the Pauwelsens with some of the dainties for the old bed-ridden
+grandmother. And her first care on her return was to inquire the
+whereabouts 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. But
+you are sure that he is gone?"
+
+"Certainly, before I was awake; but he left his pocket-book on the
+table. I will take it to him to-morrow."
+
+"Don't do anything of the sort, I am sure he will come back; this
+thought has pursued me like my shadow all this day. But tell me what
+you thought of my dinner."
+
+"You were a charming hostess, Francis. How I should like to see you
+mistress of a well-furnished house of your own!"
+
+"And one in which it would not be necessary to take the silver out
+of 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 please
+my old grandfather, upon whom I can be severe enough at times about
+his weaknesses. Rolf, who in spite of his faults is the best-natured
+fellow in the world, went to the town of----, and we polished it up
+ourselves. We would not let Fritz into the secret."
+
+"And to me, Francis, to whom you owe nothing, you have given much
+pleasure, by surprising me with this little Russian leather case----"
+
+"Don't mention such a trifle. I only wished to mark the day on which
+you became my friend."
+
+"Yes, indeed, your friend for life," I answered, gently drawing her arm
+within mine. This word had given me courage, it rendered me bold. "I
+thank you for that word, Francis; but it is not yet enough. Let me
+be 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 destroy
+this relationship which is dear to me, by striving after the
+impossible. Promise me seriously, Leopold, you will not mention this
+subject to me again, or use any such language to me."
+
+This answer seemed very like a formal refusal, and yet I remarked an
+emotion in her voice which to a certain extent reassured me.
+
+"And why should it be impossible, Francis?" I resumed, mustering up
+all my courage.
+
+This time I got no answer; she uttered a shriek and rushed off to the
+summer-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 appearance
+motionless. 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 as
+a corpse. The trellis work alone had prevented his falling to the
+ground. His face had turned a little blue, his eyes were fixed and
+wide open, and his features distorted. Francis rubbed his temples with
+the 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 himself
+in 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 I
+explained 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 the
+only 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 little
+capable 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 him
+to his room; Leopold will give us a hand."
+
+"That's not necessary--he is my father, and it is my place to carry
+him."
+
+In an instant he took up the old man with so much gentleness, and yet
+with such firmness of muscle, that you would have thought he carried
+a babe. He refused my assistance even up the staircase. He laid the
+old Baron on his bed, with his eyes still fixed, and quite unconscious.
+
+"Thank God! there he is safe," said Rudolf, falling into a chair. "I
+have had many a hard piece of work in my life, but never one in which
+my heart was so deeply concerned. May I stay here until he regains
+consciousness?" 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 like
+a chicken's."
+
+It occurred to me that the more simple and prudent plan would be for
+me to go and make the Captain acquainted with what had happened, and
+obtain his promise to keep silent and to pretend not to know anything
+about Rudolf's presence. He was enjoying his after-dinner nap when I
+found him, and I was afraid he would have an attack of apoplexy when
+I told him about the coming of Rudolf. His anger seemed to make him
+forget the gravity of the General's position. I endeavoured to make
+him understand that the accident might possibly be attributed to a
+fit of cold, caused by drinking May wine in the cool of the evening so
+shortly after the copious dinner of which the General had partaken; but
+he 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 have
+him forthwith arrested as a deserter.
+
+It was only with the greatest difficulty that I could get this fixed
+idea out of his head. I succeeded, however, at length in proving to
+him that the duty which he owed to humanity far surpassed all others at
+present; that it would be an unheard-of cruelty to arrest the son now
+at the bedside of a father, dying, for all we knew; that even Francis
+herself had consented to his staying, and that we were in duty bound
+to cast a veil over the family secrets. Finally the inborn good-nature
+of Rolf triumphed, and we went together to the General's room.
+
+The doctor had just arrived. He considered the case serious, and said
+it would be necessary to bleed the patient. Fritz and Rolf were left
+to aid the doctor and undress the invalid. Meantime I led Francis
+into a cabinet where Rudolf had taken refuge and was breathlessly
+awaiting the doctor's verdict.
+
+As we had left the door ajar we heard the patient recover
+consciousness, and call for Francis in a strangely altered voice,
+and address questions to her in a frightened tone; which questions
+the doctor, not understanding, put down to delirium, though they
+made 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 to
+brain fever," said the doctor on leaving.
+
+"Would you like to see the person you referred to just now?" I asked
+the 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. Rudolf
+had understood.
+
+Rolf and Francis undertook the duty of watching at the bedside of
+the patient during the night; and I led Rudolf to my room--I may say
+supported him, for the strong man reeled. He threw himself on the
+sofa and wept like a child.
+
+"It is finished," he said. "I could not, after all, have expected
+anything else, and I have my deserts."
+
+"Francis was in the right, you see; you ought not to have broken
+your promise."
+
+"It is not my fault I broke it. Fritz caught me this morning just as I
+was scaling the garden wall, and I was obliged to make myself known to
+him, otherwise he would have given me in charge as a housebreaker. He
+then offered to hide me in an unoccupied room on the ground floor until
+to-night. Thence, unseen, I could watch the movements of my father;
+and when his guests were gone, I saw him walking alone towards the
+summer-house, where he sat down, and, as I thought, he had fallen
+asleep. Then it was I ventured out of my hiding-place and approached
+him. It appears, however, he must both have seen me and recognized
+me. But now I have said enough, and this time I will go away for
+good. God bless him! May the Almighty strengthen dear Francis."
+
+I persuaded him to spend this night with me, and try to get a little
+rest. From time to time I went to make inquiries about the General,
+and towards morning I was able to inform Rudolf that his father had
+passed a fair night and was now sleeping calmly; he could therefore
+leave with his mind more at ease. I accompanied him a part of the way
+outside the grounds, and promised to keep him informed of the state
+of his father's health. He gave me his address, as I was to write
+to him under the name of Richard Smithson, and he then parted from
+me with the most passionate expressions of gratitude for the little
+kindnesses I had been able to show him.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+
+The General escaped for this time, but his recovery was slow. He was
+weak, and both his arms and legs seemed as if they were paralyzed. I
+allowed 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 two
+had to be constantly at the side of the convalescent, for Rolf had
+better intentions than judgment. He let the General have just what
+he asked for, and would soon have brought on a relapse if we had not
+watched them both. Francis was very thankful to have me with her; and
+yet she could not be satisfied that it was possible for me to spare
+so much time from all my business. She little suspected that my most
+pressing and agreeable occupation was to remain at her side and win
+her affections. Her devotion to her grandfather was sublime; she forgot
+all the wrongs he had done her, and only reproached herself for having
+caused him pain by her plain speaking. Notwithstanding, as the old
+man gradually grew better, she was soon again convinced that a certain
+amount of firmness was absolutely necessary to manage him. During his
+illness he had requested me, in his first lucid moments, to receive
+and open all his letters. And in this way I became aware that he
+was engaged in "risky" speculations, and that he was making debts
+unknown to Francis. When he was well enough to talk on such a subject,
+I ventured to remonstrate with him, and to point out the consequences
+of persisting in such a course, both for himself and for Francis. He
+promised me he would give up all such speculations, and excused the
+past on the grounds that he wished to leave Francis something when he
+died. I was to make the best conditions I could for him in the sale
+of 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, had
+lost all patience. And I was not yet sure of Francis. Weakness on my
+part, you will say; but no, it was delicacy--it was the fear of having
+to cut short my stay. I was afraid of the obstinacy of Francis--that
+she would not consent to a marriage even though I might have won
+her heart. I was constantly calling to mind that terrible sentence
+she had uttered in the garden: "You will not use such language to me
+again." I shuddered at the very idea that a new attempt on my part
+might draw from her lips a definite and decided No.
+
+The old General had discovered my intentions--of that I was
+convinced. He was continually insisting upon a reconciliation with my
+uncle the minister, and that I should prepare Francis for the sale of
+the Werve. On this latter point, I assured him Francis would listen to
+reason, and, armed with his power of attorney, I went over to Zutphen
+to arrange the preliminaries with Overberg. Van Beek was growing
+less and less manageable; he had sent in reams of stamped paper to
+Overberg, and the interest on several of the mortgages was six months
+over due; in fact the situation of affairs had become desperate. I
+charged Overberg to write to Van Beek that the Werve would be sold,
+in all probability, at the same time as my marriage with Francis took
+place; and I thought this would be enough to keep the lawyers quiet
+for a few days longer. I brought back some little presents for the
+General and Rolf, who were both highly pleased; and a plain set of
+earrings and a brooch for Francis, as the time had not yet arrived
+when I could offer her the diamonds I intended for my bride.
+
+On my return, to my great surprise, I found Francis sadder and more
+anxious than I had left her in the morning. She accepted my present,
+but seemed to be little interested in it. She retired early, and I
+followed her example, as I did not find Rolf's company particularly
+interesting. Most of the night I spent in reflection and conjectures as
+to this change in Francis; for I had observed tears in her eyes when
+she bade me good-night. Once more I made up my mind that the coming
+day should put an end to all my doubts. At breakfast, Francis, less
+depressed than the night before, told us she had received a letter
+from Dr. D., of Utrecht, who gave her very encouraging news of the
+invalid in whom she was so much interested. I wished to propose to
+her 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 met
+Francis in the hall, arrayed in her riding-habit. This time she had
+put on an elegant hat and blue veil, and was waiting for her beautiful
+horse 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, with
+a certain tone of impatience in my voice that could not escape her.
+
+She looked at me in surprise and silence as she played with her
+riding-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 we
+have had to take a long walk since your grandfather fell ill. Don't
+refuse 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 to
+smile. "Well, you shall have your way," and she threw aside her
+riding-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 time
+than I could have imagined my cousin reappeared in a very neat
+walking-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 round
+point, and rest there on the rustic bench which you perhaps remember."
+
+And so we walked through the great lane towards the wood, silent, just
+because 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. She
+herself seemed to have a thousand other things to talk about beside
+the one I wished to come to. At length I tried to change the subject
+by saying it would be necessary for me to fix a day for my return to
+the 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 suitable
+answer 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 would
+have 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: you
+have 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 have
+spoilt me, and I shall feel my loneliness doubled when you are gone."
+
+"Not for long, though, for I will come back soon--with--with a
+trousseau!"
+
+"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 that
+your cousin Mordaunt has no intentions of ever marrying."
+
+"Listen to me, Francis! When we first met on the heath, and you told
+me your intentions on this point, I had no reasons for trying to
+dissuade you from them; but to-day, as you yourself know, the case is
+different. You will recollect the freedom with which I have pointed
+out to you any defects which I considered a blemish on your noble
+character. Do you think I should have taken such a liberty if I had
+not conceived the idea, fostered the hope, of your one day consenting
+to become--my wife?"
+
+The word, the all-important word, was at last said.
+
+"Well, indeed, Leo," she began with a profound sigh, "since you
+force 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 not
+altogether indifferent to you?"
+
+She turned aside her face in silence, but I was sure I heard something
+like a suppressed sigh.
+
+"Is it possible you are not disengaged?" I inquired, taking her
+hand gently and placing myself before her so that I could look into
+her eyes.
+
+"Disengaged! Certainly I am disengaged," she answered bitterly. "I
+have done my best to remain so; and I have all along told you I must
+be independent. It is necessary."
+
+"Ah, I comprehend, Francis!" I exclaimed, carried away by an absurd
+jealousy; "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. Could
+I 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 you
+throw yourself into this abyss of misfortunes and miseries, in which I
+am 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 with
+you, and help you to bear them. We will overcome them together--be
+assured of that, my adored----"
+
+Passion was getting the mastery over me; I caught her in my arms and
+pressed her to my breast. She made no resistance, but, as if wearied
+with the struggle, she rested her head on my shoulder--her head so
+charming in its luxuriancy of golden curls. Her eyes were closed and
+her 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 not
+surprising she neglects the little boy."
+
+Such were the words we heard close to us, uttered by a hoarse voice
+and 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 if
+thunder-struck.
+
+The person who had spoken these offensive words, and who had doubtless
+been watching our movements for some time, was an old peasant woman
+bearing a strong resemblance to the witches in Macbeth. Her sharp
+black eyes, bare skinny arms, as red and dry as a boiled crab, her face
+wrinkled and tanned, her blue checked handkerchief tied over her white
+cap, and the stick on which she supported herself, all contributed to
+call up before my mind one of those creatures our ancestors would have
+burned alive. I confess I wished her such a fate when she advanced
+towards Francis and said, with her ingrained impertinence--
+
+"Now, miss--now I see what you have been so busy about the last five
+weeks, 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 young
+gent there, that's another thing, eh? I tell you all the village is
+talking 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 firm
+tone: "neither you nor the village have any right to interfere with
+my 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 on
+account of a week's delay in payment, either at your hands or your
+daughter's, I will take him away from you. To-morrow, or the day
+after, I shall come to see him myself, and I shall make inquiries of
+the neighbours."
+
+"What! You would disgrace me and my daughter by taking him away? You
+try 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 tried
+to make money out of your daughter's misfortune."
+
+"And he must have shoes and socks, or else he will have to run about
+bare-legged in clogs like a peasant's child."
+
+"I will provide them, Mrs. Jool; and now I have heard enough. This
+is the path which leads to the village."
+
+"What a hurry you're in!"
+
+"These are private grounds; do you understand that? Now take yourself
+off, 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 policeman
+for her." And so she limped off along the path indicated, mumbling
+all the way.
+
+Francis then turned to me and said--
+
+"Well, Leopold, this incident will serve to enlighten you; behold a
+power opposed to my freedom and happiness."
+
+"I understand," I answered, trying to assume a calmness I did not
+possess; "I understand, Francis--you are too honest to bind any man
+to you for life, saddled as you are with such a burden. But why did
+you not confide this terrible secret to me sooner? I will attempt
+the impossible to save you!"
+
+"But, Leopold, what are you thinking of?" she responded, quite red
+with emotion; "you surely do not suspect me of anything unworthy? You
+comprehend that my honour is not herein concerned, though I must
+suffer for the deplorable consequences of the fault I committed."
+
+"I am listening, Francis; but, excuse me, I do not rightly understand
+you. Is this not a question of a child which you are obliged to
+maintain?"
+
+"Yes, certainly; and that's not the heaviest part of the burden. I
+have 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 light
+charge for me, in my position, to bring up a child, and provide for
+its mother whom I have sent to a private asylum?"
+
+I thanked Heaven from the bottom of my heart that she, in her
+innocency, did not suspect the conclusions I had drawn from the words
+and manner of the old witch.
+
+"This is the fatal consequence of my rash obstinacy with poor Harry
+Blount," she continued. "You have heard me speak of the accident
+before. He was carried in a dying state into the cottage of this
+Mrs. Jool and her daughter. In my despair, I repeated several times:
+'It is my fault; I have killed him, I have killed him.' The daughter
+knelt beside Blount in the wildest agony; and Harry could just murmur,
+'My wife, my poor wife; have pity on her, Miss Francis!' I did not
+know until this moment that they were secretly married. I promised
+solemnly I would care for her, and even if I had made no promise I
+should 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 a
+good match. After the funeral, she made such good use of my words
+uttered 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, as
+to the measures we ought to take to contradict and put a stop to
+such slanderous charges. This, of course, did not relieve me of my
+obligations towards the daughter, in whom, very soon after the birth of
+her child, symptoms of insanity manifested themselves. The child had to
+be taken from her, and it was given in care to a sister of hers in the
+neighbouring village, who had just lost her youngest born. Perhaps you
+would imagine she took it out of sisterly charity; but no, she insisted
+upon my paying her monthly wages as I should have to do any other wet
+nurse. Besides, I had to do what I could for the poor mother. It was
+most fortunate for me that on the occasion of my visit to Utrecht
+I met with Aunt Roselaer, otherwise I could not have afforded the
+expense the mother has cost under the care of Dr. D. Mrs. Jool,
+not caring to live alone, went to the house of her married daughter
+under 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 long
+been weaned, and ought not to be left in their charge. I am always
+threatening 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 false
+charges such a change would give rise to. The mother and child are
+now costing me the greater part of my income. My grandfather finds
+fault with me about it, for he regards it as so much money thrown
+away. Now, Leopold, do you think I could draw a man I really loved
+into such a maëlstrom as this?"
+
+"The man worthy to possess you, Francis, will not be drawn in, but
+will 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 way
+to treat such people as Mrs. Jool. The child must be taken away from
+her and brought up by respectable farmers; perhaps the Pauwelsens
+would 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 us
+to-day."
+
+"When she sees us together to-morrow she will understand that it is
+useless playing the spy on us any longer."
+
+"But then she will make us the talk of the country-side. You don't
+know the wickedness that woman's capable of."
+
+"Well, what can she say more than that we are an engaged couple? And
+is this not true, Francis?" I said, gently taking her hand in mine.
+
+"You come back to the subject again, even now you know all," she
+murmured; "but you have not calculated all the troubles and burdens
+which would fall upon you: Rolf, whom we could not send away from
+the Werve; my grandfather with his large wants--and small income. Oh
+yes, I know you are going back to the Hague to reconcile yourself
+with 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 you
+have yourself said it would demean you."
+
+"Reassure yourself on that point, Francis; I may forgive my uncle
+and seek to be reconciled to him, as my religion bids me; but never
+for the sake of his favours. But why so many difficulties? Don't you
+see I love you, Francis; that during the last few days I have been at
+some pains to suppress my feelings, and have therein succeeded better
+than I gave myself credit for; that, now I have told you all, we must
+either part for ever, or I must have the assurance you will accept
+me as your husband? I desire it, Francis; I desire it with a firmness
+of will that despises all objections and will remove all difficulties."
+
+"Leopold," she replied, "don't talk to me like this. No one ever spoke
+to me as you have done--you make me beside myself. And yet I ought to
+resist. 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!" This
+was my only answer.
+
+"You persist? Can it be? May I still be happy!"
+
+"Enough, Francis; you are mine! I will never forsake you; you are
+mine for life!"
+
+"For life!" she repeated after me, becoming so pale that I was afraid
+she 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," she
+whispered 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 true
+we were not hungry. We returned to the house slowly, and almost
+in silence, and we even slackened our pace as we drew nearer the
+Castle. 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 soon
+as I enter yonder. I cannot yet separate myself from my happiness. Oh,
+Leopold! I wish we could fly away together, that no one might interpose
+between us two."
+
+"We will fly away, dearest; but first we must go through certain
+formalities which will give us the right to appear in the world as
+man and wife, and lift up our heads with the best of them."
+
+"And then will follow the breakfast, the visits, and the
+congratulations of mean and false people, who come with a hypocritical
+smile to wish us joy, whilst behind our backs they will make a mock
+of the man who has dared to marry Major Frank!"
+
+"Oh, what a supposition!" I replied; "you must pay for that," kissing
+her sad face into cheerfulness.
+
+"I don't understand," she continued, "how people can treat so serious
+a subject as marriage with such lightness. The woman especially
+makes an immense sacrifice--her name, her will, her individual self;
+a sacrifice which I always considered it would be impossible for me
+to make, until I met you."
+
+"And now?" I asked, kneeling before her on the moss, the better to see
+into her beautiful eyes, which sparkled with happiness and tenderness.
+
+"Now I have no longer so many objections," she replied with her
+sweetest smile. "But do not remain in that position before me,
+Leopold. It is only acting a lie, for I foresee you will be my lord
+and master. But let us now go in, my dear, otherwise they will be
+alarmed about us at the Castle. They won't know what to think of our
+long 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 had
+been sent out in search of us, as the General, though in a good
+humour, was most impatient to speak to us. When we entered his room
+he was arranging his papers, and did not give us time to announce
+our engagement, as we intended.
+
+"Francis," he cried, "why did you stay out so long when I have such
+good news to tell you?"
+
+"That's just what I have to tell you, grandfather; but what can have
+pleased you so much? You have not been made heir to Aunt Roselaer's
+property, have you?"
+
+"It comes almost to the same thing, my child. Know then that the heir
+to Aunt Roselaer's property asks your hand in marriage. It is one of
+the 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 too
+great a hurry to inform the old Baron of the real state of affairs. I
+had 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 comes
+too 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 heir
+to Aunt Roselaer's property and your cousin Leopold van Zonshoven are
+one and the same person; and on the condition that you should marry
+the 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 difference
+for you," I continued, "is this: you thought you were giving your
+heart 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 disagreeable
+to you?"
+
+"Not a disagreeable surprise to me"--she almost shrieked, with
+scintillating eyes and flushed cheeks--"to find you have put on a mask
+to deceive me! Have you not succeeded in inspiring me with esteem for
+you by your proud and dignified behaviour, and the elevated sentiments
+you professed? And do you think I can be happy to find that all this
+was but a comedy? Could a gentleman have treated me so? But you have
+deceived yourself, Jonker van Zonshoven. I gave my heart to a young
+man without fortune, whose upright and noble character I admired, and
+in 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 on
+a disguise to win the heart of the woman he was ordered to marry, for
+this hypocrite, this pretended sage, I have nothing but--my contempt!"
+
+"Be careful, Francis; I know your violent temper often causes you
+to say that which in cooler moments you regret; but don't insult in
+such a manner the man you have just accepted as your husband--a man
+whom no one ever dared to address in such language, neither will he
+meekly 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 here
+like a spy, and carried on your mean and degrading speculations up to
+the very moment when you thought it impossible for me to retract my
+word? Once more, sir, I tell you, you are mistaken in my character. I
+will never pardon a man who has abused my confidence!"
+
+"I have not abused your confidence, Francis," I answered, in as
+calm and gentle a tone as I could; "I have only been studying your
+character, and trying to gain your affections, before I would venture
+an avowal of my sentiments--that is all I have done."
+
+"You have been false, I tell you. How can I any longer believe in your
+love? 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 not
+as you now appear in my eyes. I will not be disposed of in marriage
+by any person dead or alive; and as for you, I refuse your offer. Do
+you 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 my
+legs trembling under me. Rolf, tender-hearted as ever, had withdrawn
+to a corner of the room with tears in his eyes. The General, with
+agony 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 in
+this way. Reflect that the Castle is mortgaged to the last stone, and
+that the last six months' interest is not yet paid. If sold to-morrow
+it will not fetch a third of the amount for which I have mortgaged
+it, and it is only by the generosity of Jonker Leopold that the sale
+can any longer be delayed. He has offered to take it off my hands,
+together with all the mortgages with which it is burdened, and to
+allow me a yearly income which will make me comfortable for life; but
+you must marry him, otherwise all our plans come to nought. Understand
+that, and don't insult a man who has such generous intentions towards
+us. He is still willing to forgive you, if you don't persevere in
+your senseless refusal, I am sure; for I have for some time already
+been 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 its
+provisions 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 in
+marriage by anybody's testamentary disposition; that she will neither
+sell herself for one million nor for two millions, and that she has
+decidedly refused Jonker van Zonshoven's offer of marriage."
+
+Feeling confident Francis would do me justice when more calm and
+resigned, but feeling also the necessity of not giving way to violence
+in dealing with a character such as hers, I said--
+
+"I who have your promise and will not release you from it, I request
+the General to write to Overberg that Miss Mordaunt has accepted my
+offer, and that the transfer of the Castle de Werve can forthwith
+be concluded."
+
+"If I will consent to the sale," interposed Francis, still pale
+and unmoved.
+
+"I beg your pardon, Miss Mordaunt," I rejoined, "your grandfather is
+the sole owner of the Castle; and during his life the will by which
+it is bequeathed to you has no force nor value."
+
+"Ah! if she could only be brought to see all the circumstances in
+their true light," sighed Von Zwenken.
+
+"Well, uncle, you write what I have requested you to write; you know
+only too well the consequences of any other decision."
+
+"He wants you to write lies!" cried Francis, exasperatingly; "he'll
+stick to his million, that's clear."
+
+"Francis," said the General, with the tone of a supplicant, "if you
+knew 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 you
+will simply take the hand he holds out to you. Remember he can force
+us 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 us
+out 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, becoming
+furious, and advancing towards me--"you, Leopold," she added, with
+an accent of real pain.
+
+"Yes, Francis," I answered, resolved to follow up my advantage, "you
+shall submit to the constraint of your own conscience, which must
+tell you that you owe me an apology. I am going away. Farewell. Try
+to reflect on this in your calmer moments. You have touched me to
+the quick; you have wounded my feelings of honour and my heart. Do
+not let me wait too long, or the wound will become incurable."
+
+I gave her a last look of gentle reproach, but her glassy eyes seemed
+insensible 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. Within
+an hour she will regret what she has said, I am sure; the storm was
+too violent to last long."
+
+But my mind was made up. I packed up my luggage, slowly, I must
+confess, and always listening for a well-known step and a knock, which
+should announce Francis repentant and seeking a reconciliation. But
+she did not come.
+
+I was miserable beyond all expression. It was like being shipwrecked
+in the harbour after a long voyage. To think this was the same woman
+at whose feet I had kneeled an hour ago, and whose hand I had kissed
+in a delirium of pleasure. And now she had turned upon me like a fury
+and declined my offer with contempt! I reflected that I ought to have
+acted more frankly and straightforwardly with her. For a moment the
+idea occurred to me to renounce all my rights as to Aunt Sophia's
+property; but, after all, what good end could it serve--it would
+only reduce us both to poverty. I promised myself that, once arrived
+at Zutphen, I would send her in writing a complete statement of how
+affairs 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 large
+a 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 Werve
+for orders. I flattered myself I should speedily receive an answer,
+and all the following day I passed in a feverish excitement, only
+increased in the evening when no answer came. During the night I never
+slept a moment. Another day passed, and still no answer; and now I gave
+myself up to the most complete despair. There was nothing for me to do
+but settle my affairs in all haste at Zutphen and return to the Hague.
+
+I kept Overberg in the dark about my rupture with Francis, only
+telling him pressing business called me back to the Hague. I signed
+all the papers he put before me, and told him I would return as soon
+as possible. The fact was I felt seriously unwell, and, as you know,
+home is the best place under such circumstances; I thought I could
+there immerse myself in my favourite studies, but I only remember
+feeling an unbearable weight of oppression come over me.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+
+Instead of regaining my usual calm in my own "sweet home," I fell
+seriously ill the first night after my return. I was attacked by a
+nervous fever, and remained for several days insensible. My landlady
+now proved herself a faithful and attentive nurse, and she tells me
+that my life was almost despaired of for some days. I am convalescent
+at 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 my
+table during my illness, I found a card from my uncle the minister, who
+had called to make inquiries about me. My worthy uncle had heard the
+report that I was a millionaire. I also found quite a heap of letters
+from Overberg and Van Beek, which I had not the courage to read; one,
+however, marked "Important," I broke open. It announced the death of
+my uncle Von Zwenken, and I was invited to the funeral. The date told
+me that the letter was three weeks old! What had become of Francis?
+
+Doubtless she was still ill-disposed towards me. She seemed to be
+unaware of my illness, since she had invited me to the funeral of her
+grandfather. What must she have thought of my silence? Not a single
+word of comfort or encouragement from me. What annoyances she might
+already have suffered from the lawyers. I was expecting my doctor
+every moment, and I had determined to ask his permission to start
+immediately for Zutphen, when I heard some one coming up the stairs,
+whom my landlady was endeavouring to call back, she being very strict
+about my being kept quiet. But, in spite of all her efforts, Rolf
+burst into the room--Rolf, whom I had ended by loving almost as much
+as I detested him the first few days of our acquaintance.
+
+"My General is dead," he said, with tears in his eyes--"died in my
+arms. Francis is gone----"
+
+"She is not ill, however?" I interrupted quickly.
+
+"Not in the least, she is in excellent health; but--she has turned
+me out of the Werve."
+
+"What do you say?"
+
+"Oh, it was not done in anger or malice; but because she herself will
+be forced to leave the Castle very soon. In fact, she has already
+hired a room at farmer Pauwelsen's; but she will tell nobody what
+she 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 to
+Overberg in the sense you advised him. And as everything was vague and
+uncertain because of your answering nobody's letters, the lawyers lost
+patience; and Overberg, egged on, I believe, by that quill-driver in
+Utrecht, wrote to Freule Mordaunt to know for certain whether or not
+she 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 can
+assure you. I know she reproaches herself bitterly, and has done so
+since 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 utmost
+confusion with us from the fatal Friday you left----But I see this
+is sherry, may I help myself?"
+
+"Certainly, Captain; I beg your pardon, I ought to have thought of
+asking you sooner."
+
+"Well, then, after you were gone she fainted. Such a thing never
+happened to her before within my knowledge. I felt almost ashamed
+of her; but she loved you so much, as she later confessed to me
+weeping! When she came to herself again, and whilst, as we thought, she
+was reposing in her own room, she had stealthily gone off to the farm,
+ordered Tancredo to be saddled, and ridden away at full gallop. At
+dinner we became dreadfully uneasy as she did not put in an appearance,
+and neither the General nor myself could eat. But it was much worse
+when, in the evening twilight, young Pauwelsen came to say Tancredo
+had returned to the stable alone, without saddle and white with foam."
+
+"An accident!" I cried, beside myself. "Do tell me the worst at
+once. What has happened to her?"
+
+"Oh, it was not so bad after all, Jonker--only a sprained foot; we
+found her lying on the moss at the foot of an oak, to which she had
+been able to crawl to rest herself a little."
+
+"I know that oak!" I exclaimed. "I feel what she must have felt
+there. 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 the
+town, and then, suddenly changing her course, was returning to the
+Castle through the wood; but either she must have pressed Tancredo
+too hard, or dropped the reins--she cannot explain it herself. But
+certain it is, the noble animal, no longer recognizing the hand
+of his mistress, galloped home, and she fell out of the saddle. We
+carried her home, and laid her on the sofa in the drawing-room. The
+surgeon declared there was no danger, but said she must not be moved
+for 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 tell
+you perhaps, but she wrote a note to you."
+
+"Which I never received."
+
+"No, for young Pauwelsen was charged to deliver it into your own
+hands at Zutphen; but when he arrived there they told him you had
+left, 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 off
+in such a hurry?"
+
+"My dear Captain, I felt I was going to be ill; I was ill already. But
+how was it she did not receive my packet? I waited until the third
+day for an answer."
+
+"What could you expect? Everything was turned upside down. Fritz had
+orders to place all letters on the General's writing-table, and he
+had taken such an aversion to anything in the shape of a communication
+from the lawyers, that he never opened one of them. Miss Francis was
+scarcely able to move about again when those accursed creatures set
+to work and threatened to send in the bailiffs, and Heaven only knows
+what besides. Then she had to attend to everything, for the General
+had a second attack of paralysis: those people have been the death
+of him, and I could not prevent it."
+
+The Captain forgot to add here, what I afterwards learnt, that he
+had himself hastened the General's end by administering a glass of
+old cognac to him under the pretext of strengthening him for the
+occasion of meeting the bailiffs.
+
+"As soon as his eyes were closed," he continued, "the lawyer from
+Arnheim, who was in possession of the General's will, and Overberg
+advised Francis to arrange matters with you in an amicable manner;
+but she would not listen to them. You understand, it was in your name
+these 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 imagines
+I 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 was
+in the Castle!"
+
+"Afterwards she took me aside. 'Rolfie,' she said--it was her word when
+she wanted to get anything out of me--'Rolfie, now tell me honestly,
+have you not sacrificed the greater part of your fortune to the wants
+of my grandfather?'
+
+"'Well, certainly not, Maj--Miss Francis; we have only spent that small
+sum which we won in the lottery. The General would make use of his
+part of it to try his luck once more; but I preferred spending my part
+on a few extras for the table that we might all enjoy it together.'
+
+"'Then that story of yours about an inheritance was a pure
+invention?' 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, I
+would 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 that
+part 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 no
+castle, the best room in the house is set apart for your service.'
+
+"'I thank you most cordially, my good Captain; I was most anxious
+to know whether you were provided for. But we must separate, my
+dear Rolf.'
+
+"'And where will you go, what will you do?'
+
+"'I cannot tell you that; but one thing is certain, you cannot go
+with 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 through
+the 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. I
+shall give you a letter for the lawyers to stop all proceedings, and
+you will take command of the fortress until I come. Retain Fritz in the
+service, and try to find the packet. I shall be with you to-morrow or
+the 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's
+papers."
+
+"Then try to find out where Miss Francis is, and induce her to return
+to the Werve; but don't tell her I am coming there."
+
+At the same moment my landlady brought me the following telegram
+from 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 could
+stop 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 a
+letter awaiting me from Rudolf, who was still travelling through the
+provinces of Guelderland and Overyssel with his troupe, which was
+now performing at Laren fair. It ran as follows--
+
+"If you wish to prevent Francis from committing the greatest folly she
+has 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 sent
+for Overberg, who confirmed all I had heard from Rolf, and explained
+many things I thought inexplicable. It was Van Beek who had pushed
+matters to extremities, and he (Overberg) had been quite willing
+to grant any reasonable delay. He told me one thing I was still
+ignorant of. A lawyer had sent into Van Beek a copy of a codicil to
+Aunt Sophia's will, drawn up by her order on the eve of her death,
+by which she bequeathed to her grandniece, Francis Mordaunt, a yearly
+income of three thousand florins in case she did not marry Jonker
+van Zonshoven; and I was bound to pay this pension on condition
+she made no marriage without my consent. A very far-seeing woman
+this aunt of mine! I charged Overberg to make known this codicil,
+and to hand over to Francis the packet which he had found amongst
+the 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 her
+out, and to deliver it into her hands.
+
+Next morning, when I arrived at the appointed place, a little country
+inn, the landlady told me that a lady and gentleman were already
+awaiting me upstairs. I hastened into the large assembly-room, and at
+the bottom of it I could perceive Rudolf and Francis, almost hidden
+behind a platform which had been erected for the musicians. Francis
+stood with her back to the door at which I entered. I wished to give
+her warning of my presence, but I could not speak; and as I advanced
+all of a tremble, I heard Rudolf saying to her--
+
+"Nonsense, my dear! you have no idea of the sort of life you wish
+to lead. You talk of liberty and independence; but I tell you it is
+slavery and the whip into the bargain. Do you know our bed-room is in
+the stable with the horses? Do you think the women are much respected
+because they are so politely assisted to mount their horses during the
+performance? I can tell you Madame Stonehouse herself is not spared
+by 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 a
+horse, but I cannot become a governess and undertake the care of young
+children any more than I could earn my bread with my needle. I will
+not 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 with
+your Cousin van Zonshoven? You would then have all a woman could wish
+for--your castle back, a beautiful fortune, and a husband who would
+love you truly. Upon that I'll wager my head."
+
+"Yes; he's a man of rare loyalty, indeed, and has shown himself
+such!" 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. He
+will have much to forgive in you, as you have confessed to me
+yourself. Tell him you are sorry for what you have said. He will then
+embrace 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, unable
+to restrain myself any longer.
+
+"Leopold!" she cried, turning deadly pale, and covering her face with
+her hands.
+
+"Francis," I went on gently, "nothing is changed; I still regard you
+as my betrothed wife."
+
+And saying this I tried to take her hand in mine. But the touch
+pained her; she sprang back as if she had received the discharge of
+an electric battery.
+
+"Your betrothed! You have given me to understand this by the manner
+in which I have been treated!"
+
+"It grieves me to the heart, Francis--I cannot tell you how much. I
+come now from a sick-bed, and what the lawyers did whilst I lay
+insensible in the fever was in opposition to my wishes, and quite
+contrary to my intentions."
+
+"And was it contrary to your intentions to cause my grandfather the
+shock which led to his death?"
+
+"Most certainly it was, and I did my utmost to prevent it; but
+you would not assist me, and afterwards it was too late. It was the
+executors carrying out the last will and testament of the deceased, and
+it was out of my power to interfere with them. And if the consequences
+hastened your grandfather's death, you cannot blame me, Francis. For
+after a calm consideration of all the facts, you will be bound to
+agree that I was a better friend both to him and to you than you have
+been to yourselves. Because of a little misunderstanding which I could
+easily 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 the
+gulf between us is so wide," she replied, with a profound sigh. "You
+threatened me with force, and you have meanly carried that threat into
+execution! You had it in your power to drive me to extremities, your
+one fixed idea being to compel me to marry Aunt Roselaer's heir. I
+have heard this so often I am sick of the subject; and though I
+acknowledge you are right from a worldly and material point of view,
+I had given you credit for better things. Don't you understand, that
+were I to marry you now under constraint, I should tug at my chains
+until 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 such
+generosity on your part unnecessary. I am going to travel about in
+the world, and I have taken steps to separate myself from the past
+entirely. I have made my contract with Mr. Stonehouse, to whom Rudolf
+is 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 a
+step; and if you are awaiting the arrival of Mr. Stonehouse, you will
+have to wait a long time," responded Rudolf, coolly. "Did you think
+me 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 that
+you were going to commit a folly which would lead to your inevitable
+ruin."
+
+"Oh, I see! this is another plot against me. Enough; as I cannot
+trust any one but myself, I will ride off at once and ask to see
+Mr. Stonehouse in person."
+
+"You will do nothing of the sort," I said, authoritatively, seeing
+that she rose to depart. "The General is dead, Rudolf civilly dead,
+and I am consequently, in the eyes of the law, your nearest male
+relation. Therefore I forbid your entering this abyss, from whence
+no one ever rises again, in the flower of your age."
+
+"What am I to do?" she cried passionately, yet with an accent of
+submission in her tone.
+
+"You have simply to return to the Werve," I answered, "where you will
+find 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 be
+afraid--I shall not importune you with my presence, for I am going
+to travel."
+
+This latter declaration seemed to make a great impression on her. She
+regarded me with a strange kind of look, and replied in a tone of
+voice which betrayed something more than pride and anger--
+
+"In very sooth, Leopold, you are going to travel? Well, then, I will
+stay at the Werve. Farewell."
+
+And she escaped from the room quickly, shutting the door after her. We
+soon heard the pawing of her horse outside, and we trusted she would
+ride 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 reckless
+rider. Only lately she had an accident."
+
+"That's true; for Heaven's sake follow her! But if you should be
+recognized yourself?"
+
+"Never fear, I am too well disguised for that. In my present dress
+I made more than one visit to the Werve during my father's last
+illness. I have pressed his hand on his death-bed; and he has given
+me 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. And
+Francis," he cried in triumph, "has accepted assistance from me
+during 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 my
+native soil," he added, sadly, as he mounted his horse; and pressing
+my 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. He
+had just received from England a packet addressed to Francis, which
+Fritz had refused to take charge of, as he did not know where to find
+her. 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 the
+Castle, and bring me back a reçu from Francis. I should then have
+proof positive of her return to the Werve. I was very anxious to find
+out what this packet could contain; and I was in despair as to any
+suitable means of satisfying my curiosity, when early next morning
+old Fritz arrived at the hotel with a note from his mistress. He had
+his orders not to deliver it into anybody's hands but mine. I broke
+the 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 hotel
+carriage, and drive back with Fritz. My hopes and fears as we drove
+along I will not attempt to describe; they are better left to your
+imagination; but everything seemed to turn round before my eyes as we
+passed over the old drawbridge, and drove up to the hall-door. Rolf
+was awaiting me at the entrance; and he led me into the drawingroom
+without a word, only expressing his delight by the manner in which
+he swung about his cap.
+
+Francis was seated on the sofa which I remembered so well, her head
+cast down, paler than on the preceding day; but charmingly beautiful
+in 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? You
+have received my packet, and read Aunt Sophia's letter?"
+
+"I have received all the documents, read all--more than was necessary
+to convince me I had done you an injustice, and ought to apologize
+to you. Now I am ready to confess it before all the world that I did
+you 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 of
+reconciliation. Still, there was a constraint about her manner which
+prevented my pressing her to my heart as I desired to do.
+
+"Sit down, Leopold," she said; "now we are reconciled I have to ask
+your advice as my nearest relation and my most trusted friend."
+
+At the same time she unfolded the packet which she had received
+from England.
+
+"Lord William is dead," she went on; "will you read this letter
+addressed to me, together with a copy of his will?"
+
+I could scarcely control myself sufficiently to read the letter; but
+I obeyed mechanically. This letter contained a few words of serious
+advice, breathing nothing but words of paternal love; though I read
+between the lines that it had cost him a struggle after her confession
+to regain this kind of calm affection for her. He had left with Cupid's
+arrow in his heart. The letter concluded with the most ardent wishes
+for her happiness; and he expressed a hope she would one day find a
+husband worthy of her, begging her to accept as a marriage portion
+the legacy he had left her by his will. Finally, he said, she must
+allow 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 most
+illustrious in the scientific as well as in the political world.
+
+There was also a second letter from the nephew and heir to
+Lord William's title and immense fortune. He assured Francis
+of his intentions scrupulously to fulfil the last will of the
+deceased. Francis was to receive from the estates an annuity of three
+thousand 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 desire
+has always been to have an independence; and here it is offered you
+by the hand of a friend."
+
+"You are right, Leopold; I shall follow your advice and accept it. Now
+I shall not be forced to marry any one; and if I should choose a
+husband, he cannot suspect me of having done so for the sake of his
+money. Shall I be rich enough to buy back the Werve?"
+
+"No, Francis; the Werve is in the possession of one who will not
+sell 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 been
+my chief desire. It is possible; but now I understand that my greatest
+happiness is to be dependent on the man I love. Leo, Aunt Roselaer has
+left me an annuity which I decline to accept, as a matter of course;
+but her intentions towards me were kindly, and I will follow her
+advice. 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 any
+objections?"
+
+"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 had
+loved 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 us
+by our former walks. We made all sorts of plans for the future. We
+wrote letters to Van Beek and the other men of the law, informing
+them 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 us
+as a pretext for being married privately, and in as quiet a manner
+as possible, an arrangement in accordance with both our wishes. An
+old 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 farmers
+Pauwelsens. His mother has perfectly recovered, and will one of these
+days, we trust, marry young Pauwelsen, a son of the farmer, who had
+already fixed his eyes on her before her engagement to Blount. This
+good news has removed an immense weight from Francis's mind. We are
+going to make a long journey, and try to enjoy ourselves thoroughly;
+the trials we have both passed through have taught us to appreciate
+our present happiness.
+
+During our absence the Werve will be restored, and Rolf will be left
+in charge.
+
+To conclude, dear William, I have got Francis to enclose you a note
+in her own handwriting.
+
+
+Geneva, 1861.    Leopold van Zonshoven.
+
+"That it is becoming in Leo to have sketched the doings of Major
+Frank in all their shades and peculiarities, even for a friend, I
+shall never allow; but I feel that in his delicate position it was
+necessary for him to ease his mind to some one, and that it was better
+he should do so to a friend across the seas. Therefore I have pardoned
+him. Now I will request you not to have his letters printed in any
+of your Indian papers! That would be too bad! Not that Francis van
+Zonshoven would attempt to defend such a person--oh no! It appears
+to me no such person ever existed. But there are family secrets in
+the letters, which I must seriously recommend to your discretion.
+
+"Don't wait until your term of service in India expires, but get your
+leave of absence and visit us at the Werve. All the windows are now
+glazed, and there is room enough for Leo's friend, though he came
+with 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 their
+own tongue.
+
+[2] The strictly orthodox party in Holland will only make use of the
+version of the Bible approved by the States-General in the seventeenth
+century; the bigots insist upon its being printed in the German
+characters 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 are
+never delivered by the postman.
+
+[5] In Holland every village has its burgomaster, who acts as chairman
+of the local board.
+
+[6] Trineke is a diminutive of Catherine.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Major Frank, by A. L. G. Bosboom-Toussaint
+
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Major Frank, by A. L. G. Bosboom-Toussaint
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Major Frank
+
+Author: A. L. G. Bosboom-Toussaint
+
+Translator: James Akeroyd
+
+Release Date: December 5, 2008 [EBook #27425]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MAJOR FRANK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Steven Gibbs, Jeroen Hellingman, and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net/
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<div class="front">
+<div class="titlePage">
+<h1 class="docTitle">Major Frank</h1>
+<h2 class="byline">By
+<br>
+<span class="docAuthor">A. L. G. Bosboom-Toussaint</span>
+<br>
+Author of &#8220;The English in Rome,&#8221; etc.
+<br>
+Translated from the Dutch
+<br>
+By
+<br>
+<span class="docAuthor">James Akeroyd</span></h2>
+<h2 class="docImprint">London
+<br>
+T Fisher Unwin
+<br>
+26 Paternoster Square
+<br>
+1885
+</h2>
+</div><span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb1" href="#pb1">1</a>]</span></div>
+<div class="body">
+<div id="xd0e111" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="super">Major Frank.</h2>
+<h2 class="normal">Chapter I.</h2>
+<p><i>A Letter from Sir Leopold van Zonshoven to Mr. William Verheyst at A&#8212;&#8212;.</i>
+
+
+</p>
+<p>The Hague, March, 1865.
+
+
+</p>
+<p><span class="smallcaps">Dear Friend</span>,&#8212;If you are not too deeply absorbed in some lawsuit or other, come to me by the first express you can catch from your little
+provincial town. Something wonderful has happened, and I have great need of a friend to whom I can confide my secret. Imagine
+Leopold van Zonshoven, who seemed destined from his infancy to figure in this world as a poor gentleman&#8212;imagine your friend
+Leopold suddenly come into an immense fortune.
+
+</p>
+<p>An old aunt of my mother&#8217;s, of whom I had never <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb2" href="#pb2">2</a>]</span>heard, and who it seems had quarrelled with all her relations, has hit upon the sublime idea of playing the &#8220;Fairy Godmother&#8221;
+to me. By her will I am made sole heir to all the property she died possessed of. I, who with the strictest economy 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 of the romancing novelist, who as a rule reforms and rewards the wildest
+youth. I almost knocked over the lamp on opening the letter which contained this incredible news; fortunately my landlady
+caught it, for she was waiting for the eighteenpence which the messenger demanded for his services, and she has since confessed
+to me she thought that it was a case of &#8220;baliffs.&#8221; I got rid of her as quickly as possible and bolted the door behind her.
+I felt an irresistible desire to be alone, and to convince myself that the news was real, and not a page out of the &#8220;Arabian
+Nights.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>After having satisfied myself of the reality of the affair, I was assailed by an indescribable confusion of ideas and impressions.
+My heart beat as if it would burst; I felt a rising in my throat as if I <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb3" href="#pb3">3</a>]</span>should choke; and the first profit which I derived from my new fortune was a severe headache. I am not a stoic, and I have
+never attempted to appear in that character. Lately all my thoughts have been fixed on some method of changing the miserable
+position in which I have thus far vegetated, and there seemed but one hope left me: a reconciliation with my uncle, the Cabinet
+Minister, who could get me an appointment as <i lang="fr">attach&eacute;</i> to one of the embassies. But this would be a difficult task, for his Excellency has forbidden me his house because of some
+articles that I wrote in an opposition paper. How I regretted not having been able to complete my studies and take a degree,
+the lack of which has shut me out from so many posts open to my fellow-students.
+
+</p>
+<p>At the age of twenty-nine it is a losing game to compete with younger men in possession of a degree; and whilst I sat brooding
+over my misfortunes, suddenly the news reaches me that I am a rich landed 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 like myself? Do come, then, as soon as possible
+to talk the matter over with me, especially as there is one point on which I <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb4" href="#pb4">4</a>]</span>must have your advice before entering into possession of my estates. Possibly your judicial eye 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 of gold to crumble
+to dust. I will decide nothing before consulting you. In the meantime I have given my lawyer power of attorney under reserve.
+Here I have many acquaintances, but not one trusted friend to whom I can reveal the secrets of my bosom without the fear of
+being misunderstood or made ridiculous.
+
+</p>
+<p>And now farewell till we meet. With or without the fortune, believe me to be ever yours sincerely,
+
+
+</p>
+<p><span class="smallcaps">Leopold van Zonshoven.</span>
+
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb5" href="#pb5">5</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e148" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter II.</h2>
+<p><i>Mr. William Verheyst receives an Anonymous Letter.</i>
+
+
+</p>
+<p>By the same post the barrister, William Verheyst, received the following letter without a signature.
+
+
+</p>
+<div class="blockquote">
+<p><span class="smallcaps">Sir</span>,&#8212;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.
+</p>
+</div><p>
+
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh dear!&#8221; exclaimed the good-natured William, <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb6" href="#pb6">6</a>]</span>crumpling the anonymous letter in his fingers, &#8220;I fear this looks bad for Leopold. It will be hard lines if he has to forego
+the fortune which is thus dangled before his eyes like a bait on who knows what unreasonable conditions. I don&#8217;t like this
+attempt on the part of some unknown persons to bribe his adviser. However, they shall find I am not to be caught in the snare.
+If there be any clause in the will inconsistent with law and honesty or with honour, I&#8217;ll show them I have not been called
+to the bar to no purpose. Poor fellow, he little knows how difficult it is for me to leave home at present. Still, as I must
+go to the Hague before my departure to Java, I will set off early to-morrow.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>William Verheyst did as he said. He proved himself a true friend and no loiterer; caught his train, and five minutes after
+his arrival in the Hague was knocking at his friend&#8217;s door.
+
+</p>
+<p>Leopold van Zonshoven occupied a single large front room in a quiet part of the town. He was too poor to live in a more fashionable
+quarter, and too honest to attempt living above his means. And yet there was an air of elegance about the room which marked
+it as that of a young man of refined tastes, <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb7" href="#pb7">7</a>]</span>and proved him to be a lover of home comforts rather than the pleasures of club life. To the ordinary furniture to be found
+in lodgings he had superadded a good writing-table, an easy-chair, an antique, carved book-case, and several small objects
+of art, which stood out in bold relief against the shabby wallpaper. This, however, he had tried to hide as much as possible
+by hanging the family portraits all round the room, some of them in solid ebony, others in gilt frames rather characteristic
+of this cheap, showy age. Even the space between the larger pictures he had tried to cover with small miniatures on ivory,
+and photographs. The young man had evidently done his best to surround himself by the portraits of his numerous family.
+
+</p>
+<p>He was busily engaged at his writing-table when Verheyst knocked at his door.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I was expecting you,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I knew you would come to help your friend in need. What a strange letter I wrote you! But
+now I have recovered my senses again.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Then turning to his writing-table, he said&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Look here, here&#8217;s a bundle of papers soaked with ink. Though my landlady, Mrs. Joosting, saved the <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb8" href="#pb8">8</a>]</span>lamp from falling on that memorable evening, she did not notice the ink-bottle. Three articles neatly copied, numbered and
+ready for the press, are utterly spoiled. Nothing for it but to copy them again. Pleasant work this for a millionaire! But
+I have almost finished now, and the work has done me good; we shall have the whole evening to talk matters over.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Leopold lived, in fact, by his pen, contributing to several papers, and making translations for the publishers who patronized
+him. Though he had not kept his terms at the university, he had talent and style, and his writings had been very successful.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here are the documents: the lawyer&#8217;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.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>After a minute examination, piece by piece, Verheyst answered that he was of the same opinion.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But,&#8221; he said, &#8220;I cannot find the fatal clause you mentioned, anywhere.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;In truth, there is no such clause expressed; nor is there even a condition set down. But there is a desire, a hope expressed
+in this letter from my aunt; and you must read it before giving your opinion. It <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb9" href="#pb9">9</a>]</span>seems to me I must renounce the inheritance if I cannot give effect to the wish you will find set down here.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is it, then, such a difficult matter?&#8221; inquired Verheyst, before opening the letter.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, that depends! My aunt wishes me to marry.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No unfair request, since she puts you in a position to maintain a wife.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I agree; but she has gone further and chosen a wife for me.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The deuce! that&#8217;s the worst part of the business.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Certainly; for she does not seem to have been acquainted with the young lady herself, who seems to be a granddaughter of
+a certain General von Zwenken, who married my aunt&#8217;s eldest sister. The young lady is at present living with her grandfather;
+and it would seem that my shrewd old aunt, to be revenged on the General, has hit upon this means of leaving her fortune to
+her niece and <span class="corr" id="xd0e207" title="Source: shuting">shutting</span> out the rest of 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 to lay it at the feet of this &#8216;fair lady.&#8217; Nothing seems <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb10" href="#pb10">10</a>]</span>easier or more natural. But suppose the &#8216;fair lady&#8217; should be ugly, hunchbacked, a shrew, or a troublesome coquette. In this
+case, you know, with my ideas about women and marriage, I should feel myself bound to refuse the fortune.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Refuse! refuse!&#8212;at the worst you can propose to divide it between you.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now that would be acting in direct opposition to the express and formal wish of the testatrix. Read the letter and you will
+see.&#8221;
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb11" href="#pb11">11</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e217" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter III.</h2>
+<p><i>The Honourable Miss Sophia Roselaer de Werve&#8217;s Letter to her Grand-nephew.</i>
+
+
+</p>
+<p>My very worthy Nephew,&#8212;Though I am unknown to you, you are not unknown to me. I don&#8217;t know you personally; but I am pretty
+well informed as to what you are, and what you are not. Thanks to all sorts of quarrels in our family, and the inconsistent
+conduct of my eldest sister, I have been forced to live estranged (and shall die so) from all my relations. My nearest relations,
+it is true, died years ago; the others are scattered over the world, and scarcely remember their relationship to me. Their
+ancestors, who have done their utmost to embitter my life, seem to have left it as a legacy to their children to forget me,
+and to trouble themselves as little about old Aunt Roselaer as if she had never existed. But man must think of his end. I
+am <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb12" href="#pb12">12</a>]</span>in my seventy-fifth year, and a recent attack of apoplexy has warned me to put my affairs in order, if I would prevent all
+disputes about the possession of my property, and, above all, save it from falling into the hands of those who have done so
+much to embitter my life. I will not suffer it to fall into the hands of a host of nephews and nieces, who would attack it
+like sharks, and divide and crumble into pieces what I and my forefathers have accumulated with so much care and economy.
+It is for this reason I have decided to appoint one of my relatives my sole heir, and you are the one I have chosen: first,
+because your mother&#8217;s mother is the one of my sisters who has caused me the least grief. She married a man of her own rank,
+in a good position, with the full consent of her parents; and she could not help his falling a victim to the horrible Belgian
+revolution, in which he lost his life and fortune, leaving her with seven daughters, one of whom was your mother, who, I must
+say, troubled herself as little as any of the other nieces about Aunt Sophia. I can pardon her, however, because when she
+returned from Belgium to Holland an occurrence in our unfortunate family affairs had decided me to break off all intercourse
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb13" href="#pb13">13</a>]</span>with my relations. The second reason, and the chief 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
+of friends and strangers, and the information I have received has always been such as to lead me to believe you the most fitting
+person to carry out one <i>wish</i> which I urgently request you to fulfil, if it be at all possible; namely, to marry the only grandchild of my eldest sister,
+and in this way put her in possession of that part of my fortune which the unpleasant divisions in our family cause me to
+withhold. I wished to adopt the girl in her early youth, give her a good education, and save her from the miserable garrison
+life she has led: but my request was bluntly refused; and General von Zwenken, her grandfather, has recklessly sacrificed
+the fortune of his granddaughter for the pleasure of being revenged on me. Consequently my will is made with the fixed purpose
+of preventing his ever enjoying a penny that has belonged to me. On reflection, however, I have come to the conclusion that
+it would be wrong to punish the granddaughter for the sins of her grandparents. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb14" href="#pb14">14</a>]</span>After my death, on the contrary, I should like her to confess that old Aunt Roselaer, whose name she will only have heard
+mentioned 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 I were to leave her my fortune, I should only be playing into the hands of her grandfather, who would doubtless
+spend every penny of it in the same way he spent that of my sister. And so it has occurred to me, Leopold, to single you out
+and make you the sole possessor of all my wealth, with the request that you will make good the wrong which I have been forced
+to do. The question now is, whether you will be able to accomplish my desire. Difficulties may be placed in your way by the
+very person most interested in adopting the means I have thought out: in this case, I beseech you to persevere as long as
+there remains a hope of success. If, on the other hand, you raise obstacles, if you find it insupportable to have a wife imposed
+on you by a troublesome old aunt, a wife you cannot love, then I release you from this condition, for I wish at least one
+member of the family to think of me without abhorrence. Should the worst happen, you must <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb15" href="#pb15">15</a>]</span>consult lawyer Van Beek, who knows my intentions, if you do not wish to lose my fortune altogether. I expect better things
+of you, not to mention that I count upon your good heart being moved towards a young lady who has been deprived of her rights
+and the advantages of her birth from infancy through the ill-will of her relations. These rights and advantages a loving old
+aunt wishes you both to enjoy.
+
+</p>
+<p><span class="smallcaps">Sophia Roselaer de Werve.</span>
+
+</p>
+<p>P.S.&#8212;That I must sign myself simply Roselaer de Werve, and not Baroness de Werve, is the fault of the General; but his obstinacy
+and folly shall cost him dear.
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb16" href="#pb16">16</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e244" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter IV.</h2>
+<p>&#8220;Now, what do you say to this?&#8221; asked Leopold, as Verheyst folded up the letter with a thoughtful face.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What do I say to it? Well, that it is a real woman&#8217;s letter; the most important point being contained in the post-scriptum.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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 hatred of this family, and probably for what is the merest trifle.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What shall I say?&#8212;From the merest trifles some of the longest and most difficult lawsuits have arisen. But, for your sake,
+Leopold, I could wish that this lady had been possessed of better feelings towards her relations; it would render the whole
+business simpler. If the young lady pleases you, marry her; if not, then propose to divide the fortune <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb17" href="#pb17">17</a>]</span>between you. You will both be independent, and one can live pretty comfortably on half a million.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Would to heaven she had left me thirty thousand guilders without conditions,&#8221; sighed Leopold; &#8220;then I should have none of
+this bother.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That certainly would have been pleasanter for you,&#8221; replied Verheyst, smiling, &#8220;but we get nothing for nothing; and if the
+old lady has chosen you to be her instrument of revenge, why you cannot do less than accept the encumbrance.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t see it.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I feel sure that on her death-bed she chuckled at the idea of leaving a champion of her griefs behind.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That may be so; but if she imagined that for the sake of her money I should so far demean myself as to serve her evil designs,
+then either she was greatly mistaken in my character, or she received erroneous information about me.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;At present, you don&#8217;t even know whether anything inconsistent with your character is demanded of you. Let me remind you that
+the depositions of the dead are not to be discussed, but as far as possible carried out. If after due inquiry you find <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb18" href="#pb18">18</a>]</span>yourself unable to fulfil the conditions of this will, it will still be possible for you to stop further proceedings.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have written to the lawyer in that sense. I feel it my duty to see first whether a marriage be possible. This I am bound
+to do for the young lady&#8217;s sake; but I should like you to pay a visit to the Von Zwenkens, and bring me word what you think
+of the young lady, before I make my appearance.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How you do give yourself the airs of a millionaire already!&#8221; answered Verheyst&#8212;&#8220;opening the preliminaries of your marriage
+by an ambassador. I am sorry to say I cannot accept your commission, worthy patron.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>There was a mingling of irony and offended pride in the tone of this answer, which caused Leopold to start up in surprise.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You do not mean me to take this reproach seriously?&#8221; he asked, feeling somewhat touched by his friend&#8217;s words. &#8220;You know
+well enough I only asked a friendly service of one whose clear judgment I prize above my own, blinded as I now am by a confusion
+of contending passions.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb19" href="#pb19">19</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course. I quite understand your meaning. It was only my chaff; but, unfortunately, it is only too true that I am prevented
+from obliging you. 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 making my preparations for a long voyage.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What long voyage are you alluding to?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah! that&#8217;s true; we have had so much to say about the change in your life, that I have forgotten to tell you about the change
+in my own. You are not the only person on whom fortune smiles. I have been offered and have accepted the post of private secretary
+to the newly appointed Governor-General of our Indian possessions. Besides the high salary, and the excellent opportunity
+of travelling to Java in such a comfortable way, my future prospects are so promising that I could not for a moment resist
+the temptation to go. It is much more agreeable to me than vegetating in a provincial town, on the look-out for ill-paid lawsuits
+or some legal appointment. I expatriate myself for a year or two, to return with all the importance of an Eastern nabob,&#8221;
+continued Verheyst, with a faint attempt at <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb20" href="#pb20">20</a>]</span>a jest which evidently did not come from the heart, as no pleasant smile lit up his face.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I cannot say you are wrong, and yet I am sorry,&#8221; replied Leopold, with an effort to be cheerful; &#8220;all my plans for the future
+enjoyment of my fortune were bound up with you&#8212;we were to shoot, hunt, and travel together.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What about your wife?&#8221; asked William.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My first condition would have been that she must treat my friend kindly.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is all the better; you should not be under the necessity of making any such conditions. Possibly you may have difficulties
+enough to overcome, without my standing in the way.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Really, William, I feel inclined to refuse the fortune, and go to Java with you.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nonsense, man, pluck up your courage, and trust to those feelings of honour and delicacy of which your present scruples only
+afford me a new proof. She may turn out to be a pearl of a wife, this young lady whom you are requested to enchase in gold.
+By the way, do you know her name, or where you are to go in order to make her acquaintance?&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb21" href="#pb21">21</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;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 will give me all necessary information about General von Zwenken and his granddaughter Francis Mordaunt.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mordaunt! Is her name Francis Mordaunt?&#8221; exclaimed Verheyst, in a tone of surprise and disappointment.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, don&#8217;t you like the name? or have you heard it before?&#8221; asked Leopold, all in a breath, for the serious looks of his
+friend alarmed him.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Heard it before! Well, yes&#8212;indeed, often, as that of an English officer on half-pay who some years ago lived in my province;
+a man against whose character, so far as I know, nothing can be said.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, but I am speaking about the daughter. Do you know her?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not personally, and it is a dangerous thing to form an opinion from gossiping reports. What I have heard may not be correct;
+but if it be so, I cannot hide from you what it would only disturb your peace of mind to know. Therefore, I say, make your
+own inquiries, seek information from <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb22" href="#pb22">22</a>]</span>people you can trust, and trust only your own observations and experience.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is she deformed? Is she a fright?&#8221; asked Leopold, growing uneasy.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, nothing of that sort; in fact, I believe she is rather good-looking&#8212;at least, enough so to attract admirers, but&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come now, never falter, man! Give me the <i>coup de gr&acirc;ce</i> at once. Is she a coquette?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Verheyst shrugged his shoulders. &#8220;I have never heard it said she was; at least, it must be a strange sort of coquetry she&#8217;s
+accused of.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t keep me on the rack any longer; but tell me at once the worst you know of her.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, there&#8217;s nothing that one can really call <i>bad</i>; yet in your eyes it may appear sinister enough. What I have heard is, that an acquaintance of ours, a friend of my youngest
+brother, was madly in love with her, and she refused his offer in a manner little encouraging for you. According to his account
+she must be a regular shrew, who declines to marry on the grounds that she will acknowledge no man to be her lord and master.
+She so ill-treated this poor Charles Felters, the best-natured old sheep that ever <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb23" href="#pb23">23</a>]</span>went on two legs, that he has taken fright and run away&#8212;gone off to Africa, as if afraid of meeting her again in Europe. He
+is not only a good fellow in every respect, but what we call in common parlance a &#8216;catch,&#8217; his father being the richest banker
+in our part of the country. I don&#8217;t wish to frighten you, but&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I see nothing in all this to be frightened about,&#8221; said Leopold, calmly. &#8220;That she has refused a booby who runs away
+for fear of a woman, only proves her to be a girl of character. I begin to think there will be something piquant in this adventure,
+and I prefer a lively young lady to a wearisome, insignificant girl.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am glad to hear you take up the subject so pleasantly. I, for my part, should not like to be engaged in such a contest,
+but you are morally obliged&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;In fact, without the obligation, your account has so excited my curiosity that I should feel tempted to undertake this conquest.
+Do you see this portrait of the fifteenth century? It is that of one of my ancestors who, for the honour of his lady, suffered
+his left hand to be cut off. He was very ugly, and <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb24" href="#pb24">24</a>]</span>whenever I was naughty or in a temper my good mother would lead me up to this portrait and say, &#8216;Fie! Leopold, you are like
+the Templar,&#8217; for he was a knight of that order. She said I had the same fierce glance of the eyes when I was naughty, and
+I have since been convinced that she was right. The resemblance struck me in a private interview I once had with my uncle,
+the Cabinet Minister. I was accidentally standing before a glass, when he upbraided the memory of my dead father, saying he
+had married a wife without fortune, instead of following his (my uncle&#8217;s) example&#8212;using his title as a bait with which to
+catch an heiress. His Excellency saw the likeness, too; for he politely turned the conversation, and led me to his antechamber,
+where I am sure he gave his footman orders to say &#8216;Not at home&#8217; in future, if ever I should trouble to call again. But tell
+me more, all you know, about my future wife.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, she has had no education. Her manners are rude&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That I have gathered from my aunt&#8217;s letter; but it is not her fault, poor girl. I must try to improve her, and be both lover
+and schoolmaster to my wife. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb25" href="#pb25">25</a>]</span>Who knows&#8212;perhaps I must also teach her music and dancing!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;At any rate, you will not have to teach her fencing, for she&#8217;s already an adept at that&#8212;at least, according to Charles Felters&#8217;
+report.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The deuce she is!&#8221; exclaimed Leopold, laughing; &#8220;that&#8217;s almost enough to frighten one.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Charles was really frightened. At that time she was a very young girl, yet she was already generally known in the little
+garrison-town where she lived by the nickname of <i>Major Frank</i>.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The nickname does not sound flattering, I must confess; however, I will see if there is not some way of enrolling this major
+under my colours, and then she shall retire from military life to settle down as a civilian.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It does me good to see you treat the matter so lightly, for there is nothing for it but your making the attempt.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It has always been my maxim to take a cheerful view of things,&#8221; said Leopold, with a touch of melancholy in his tone; &#8220;and,
+alas! I have been forced to do so under adverse circumstances hitherto. And now, my good fellow, let us go and look out for
+some dinner. I can recommend Pyl&#8217;s Restaurant.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb26" href="#pb26">26</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Why not at the Club?&#8221; asked Verheyst; &#8220;there we shall meet many friends whom I wish to see before my departure.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am no longer a member, my dear fellow. After my father&#8217;s death I was obliged to cut down all unnecessary expenses, as my
+mother had but a small pension, and I could bear retrenchment better than a person of her age. It is not the subscription,
+it is the company one meets which leads to extravagance, and those quiet little supper parties, the invitations to which it
+is impossible to refuse.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>At dinner, over a good bottle of wine, William made Leopold promise to write a full account of all that should take place
+during his absence in Java, and send to him by mail from time to time. We can only hope that this story will prove no less
+interesting to our readers than it did to William Verheyst.
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb27" href="#pb27">27</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e372" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter V.</h2>
+<p><i>Leopold van Zonshoven to Mr. William Verheyst.</i>
+
+
+</p>
+<p>My dear Friend,&#8212;Whilst you are sailing down the Red Sea, I am entrusting to paper what I would not confide to any living mortal
+but yourself.
+
+</p>
+<p>My fortune still hangs in the balance. Without doubt the worthy testatrix has done everything possible to insure her heritage
+to me; but there are moments when I feel so great a repugnance to it as to make me question whether it were not better to
+renounce it than to become the instrument of Miss Roselaer de Werve&#8217;s vengeance on this side the grave. The idea of having
+to drive a grey-headed old man from his manor-house, and to render a poor young lady, who has a family claim on her aunt&#8217;s
+inheritance, houseless, is too much for me, though a whimsical old woman and the law have done their utmost to set my conscience
+at ease.
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb28" href="#pb28">28</a>]</span></p>
+<p>But to commence my story. The day after you left me, I went over to Utrecht to call on the lawyer, Van Beek. Perhaps in the
+hurry of our parting I forgot to tell you this was my intention. At such times a man often forgets the most important things
+he has to say.
+
+</p>
+<p>The worthy functionary is a short, thin personage, with a tuft of hair hanging over his forehead, sharp eyes, a long, thin
+nose, and thin lips always closed; in fact, a perfect type of the shrewd, clever, but inexorable lawyer.
+
+</p>
+<p>He received me seated in an armchair, clad in a grey office coat, and with a solemn white neckcloth fastened round his neck
+so tightly that I really was afraid it would choke him.
+
+</p>
+<p>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 the intentions of the testatrix did a fine smile play about his mouth&#8212;a smile which seemed to say: &#8220;You&#8217;ve come round,
+then, at last, though you appeared to hesitate at first.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>After a few words as to the sudden death of his client, and her express wish to be buried as quietly <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb29" href="#pb29">29</a>]</span>as possible, without the attendance of any of her relations, he told me he had been the confidential adviser of Lady Roselaer
+for the last thirty years, and was consequently able to give me all necessary information with regard to her dealings with
+General von Zwenken, and her intentions in respect of his granddaughter.
+
+</p>
+<p>I should only weary you if I attempted to relate all the pitiful stories of mischief-making and counter-mischief-making with
+which, long before the birth of Francis, the General and Aunt Sophia endeavoured to render each other&#8217;s life miserable. I
+now comprehend that she neither could nor would leave her fortune to such a man, and I approve of the course she has taken
+for Francis&#8217; sake, who would have been the greatest sufferer if her aunt had not acted with so much foresight and prudence.
+The General is a spendthrift, or, to put it in the mildest terms, a bad financier. His affairs, the lawyer says&#8212;and the lawyer
+evidently knows more about them than the General does himself&#8212;are in such a state that, to use an expression of Macaulay&#8217;s,
+&#8220;the whole wealth of the East would not suffice to put them in order and keep them so.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb30" href="#pb30">30</a>]</span></p>
+<p>Still, does this justify my aunt&#8217;s inexorable hatred? I am sure, if you saw her portrait, you would scarcely believe her capable
+of it: a stately dame in a rich black silk gown, with silvery grey hair under a black lace cap, and a string of priceless
+pearls round her neck&#8212;so she appears in a painting done in the last year of her life. And this she has bequeathed to her legal
+adviser, because she believed none of her relations would be able to look upon it with pleasure. On this point, I fancy, she
+was not far deceived. I myself, her favoured heir, honestly confess that much must happen, much be cleared up, before I can
+regard it with any degree of cheerfulness and gratitude, seeing I know what a Shylock-spirit once breathed in that thin, slender
+figure of 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. Being strictly orthodox himself, he accounts for all her singularities by saying they are the outcome of her
+great admiration of the ideas prevalent 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&#8217;s Correspondence <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb31" href="#pb31">31</a>]</span>in her hand, though she knew this would not be particularly pleasing to the future possessor of that portrait.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, well, Jonker,&#8221; he continued, &#8220;since you ask me for the truth about the life and actions of your deceased aunt, I must
+tell you she seldom went to church, and when she did it was to the French church, though she was not a member of it.<a class="noteref" id="xd0e405src" href="#xd0e405">1</a> She gave large sums every year to all sorts of institutions; subscribed liberally to any fund for the benefit of the lower
+classes; but would never give a penny to the 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 her not to contribute to the increase of a race of hypocrites. You will understand
+that in my position I could not insist further on this subject. Besides, she did not make use of her riches for herself, except
+with the greatest economy. She occupied a small villa just outside the town of Utrecht, and her beautiful country-seat in
+Gelderland, as well as her magnificent house in <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb32" href="#pb32">32</a>]</span>town, were both let to strangers. She kept but one man-servant, an aged waiting-woman, and a cook. The gardener who rented
+her kitchen-garden supplied her with vegetables, and kept her flowers in order. She had no carriage, and sometimes did not
+go out for weeks together. Neither did she receive company, denying herself to all visitors except Dr. D., her old friend,
+who made a professional visit every day, and came regularly two evenings a week with his married sister to play cards. I saw
+her as often as business affairs rendered it necessary, and once a month she invited me, my wife and daughter, to dinner.
+On these occasions Dr. D. and his sister were also invited; but I never remember to have 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 man with roguish eyes, and beautiful
+mustachios; and I suspect he made love to her <i>&agrave; la Voltaire</i>, for she bought drawings of him which she never even looked at. He was, otherwise, a good young fellow, with a widowed mother
+to maintain; and the capital she has left is large enough to permit of such a freak of fancy&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, certainly!&#8221; I interrupted, &#8220;I am glad that <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb33" href="#pb33">33</a>]</span>the latter days of her monotonous life were cheered by anybody. But what you have told me of her views with regard to the
+Church leads me to doubt whether I ought to accept her heritage, since, once in possession of it, I shall feel it my duty
+to make use of her money for purposes directly contrary to her wishes.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think you need have any scruples; for she was very well acquainted with the character of Jonker van Zonshoven, and
+what might be expected of him in such matters. Yet you see this did not deter her from entrusting her fortune to you. Besides,
+she was liberal enough with regard to the views of other people. Her maid is strictly orthodox, and yet every Sunday a carriage
+was placed at her service to convey her to church; and she is left well provided for during the rest of her life. It is probable
+Lady Roselaer considered you the person likely to make good what she had left undone either from false shame or obstinacy.
+Had this not been her intention, she was a woman who would have taken measures to prevent her will being ignored, even after
+her death.&#8221;
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb34" href="#pb34">34</a>]</span></p>
+<div class="footnotes">
+<hr class="fnsep">
+<p class="footnote"><span class="label"><a class="noteref" href="#xd0e405src" id="xd0e405">1</a></span> Strictly orthodox Dutch people think that a sermon in the light, airy French language cannot be so serious and solemn as in
+their own tongue.
+</p>
+</div>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e420" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter VI.</h2>
+<p>With regard to the Castle de Werve, I have found out that it is situated on the borders of Gelderland and Overyssel, and is
+surrounded by extensive woods, moors, and arable land. It is at present occupied by General von Zwenken, and formerly was
+in the possession of Aunt Sophia&#8217;s parents. To its possession is attached the title of Baron, with seignorial rights&#8212;rights
+which in our time are little more than nominal, yet to which old Aunt Sophia seems to have attached immense value. Her father,
+old Baron Roselaer van de Werve, had no son (a great trial for him, as you may suppose), but three daughters, of whom Aunt
+Sophia was the second, and my mother&#8217;s mother the youngest. The eldest, Lady Mary Ann, became, on the death of her father,
+the rightful heir to the Castle de Werve and the estates attached to it. This arrangement was exceedingly offensive to <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb35" href="#pb35">35</a>]</span>Aunt Sophia, who had expected her father to leave the castle to her, and at one time she had good reasons for fostering such
+expectations.
+
+</p>
+<p>Her eldest sister had been the source of much grief and sorrow to the old people. She had secretly entered into a romantic
+love-engagement with a young Swiss officer&#8212;then Captain von Zwenken&#8212;and considering it impossible to obtain the consent of
+her parents to such a marriage, she eloped with Von Zwenken, who took her to Switzerland, where they were married. This union,
+according to Dutch law, and in the opinion of Aunt Sophia, was illegal. The weak parents (as Sophia called them), however,
+at length became reconciled to their son-in-law, and when the lost child returned to her old home in reduced circumstances,
+her parents received her with open arms.
+
+</p>
+<p>In this family scene of reconciliation, Aunt Sophia imitated the eldest son in the parable. She had never been on good terms
+with her romantic sister; she persisted in regarding her brother-in-law as an 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.
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb36" href="#pb36">36</a>]</span></p>
+<p>The stay of the young people under the parental roof was brief; but even these few days were stormy, and sufficed to divide
+the family connexions into two parties, for and against the Von Zwenkens. Aunt Sophia&#8217;s strong point was the irregularity
+of the marriage, solemnized in a foreign country. Those who disagreed with her and recognized the Swiss captain as a relation,
+she looked upon as deadly enemies; while those who took her side in the contest were received by Baron and Baroness Roselaer
+with freezing coolness. In a word, it was the history of the Montagues and the Capulets re-enacted on a small scale in the
+eighteenth century on Dutch territory. They did not attack each other with dagger and poison, but used the tongue for weapon.
+They annoyed, they insulted each other, whenever and wherever they found an opportunity; there were hair-splitting disputes,
+and retaliation without truce or pity; and lawsuits followed which swallowed large sums of money. A good business for the
+lawyers, who only made &#8220;confusion worse confounded.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>When old Baroness Roselaer&#8212;who always pleaded for peace and forgiveness&#8212;shortly afterwards <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb37" href="#pb37">37</a>]</span>died, Sophia thought she would be able to exert unlimited influence over her father, as she now became the recognized mistress
+of the house. She even took advantage of her position, during the stay of her brother-in-law for the funeral, to make him
+so uncomfortable, that on leaving the house he told the old Baron he would never enter it again. Sophia was in triumph. She
+thought she had banished Von Zwenken from the house; but she forgot her sister&#8217;s children, and the joy and pride the old Baron
+was likely to take in a grandson and future heir to his title and estates. Though he never talked to Sophia on the subject,
+he was secretly embittered against her as being the cause of this new estrangement, and his great pleasure was to visit his
+grandchildren; and what is more surprising, Sophia never suspected these visits.
+
+</p>
+<p>Try, then, to imagine the effect produced upon her when her father&#8217;s will was read, and she found that the Castle de Werve,
+with its seignorial rights, descended to Madame von Zwenken and her children.
+
+</p>
+<p>It is true she inherited a just share of the property; but the very part she loved best, the home of her childhood, where
+she had been brought up, <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb38" href="#pb38">38</a>]</span>and which she never willingly would have quitted, was taken from her and given to the man whom she considered so unworthy
+of it, and so little capable of appreciating the advantages attached to its possession. She felt herself slighted, and to
+this slight is to be attributed the restless hatred and unrelenting bitterness with which she pursued the General during the
+rest of her life. She declared her brother and sister had worked upon her father&#8217;s feelings by cunning and intrigue; and she
+would never believe that the old Baron had left them the property of his own free-will, or for the sake of his grandchildren.
+
+</p>
+<p>It being now the Captain&#8217;s opportunity, he ordered her to leave the house with all possible speed; and this was the more galling,
+as he did not himself retire from active service and occupy the castle as the old Baron had desired him to do. He was changed
+about from one garrison town to another, daily expecting to be ordered on foreign service, and therefore unable to derive
+much enjoyment from his possessions. His wife and children would sometimes stay a few weeks at the castle in the summer; but
+the former did not long survive her father. The children stayed with Von Zwenken in <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb39" href="#pb39">39</a>]</span>the garrison, until the daughter was old enough to go to a boarding-school in Switzerland, and the son to be placed under
+a tutor, who was to coach him for the university.
+
+</p>
+<p>I agree with Aunt Sophia in her assertion that Von Zwenken was not the &#8220;right man in the right place.&#8221; He made no good use
+of his possessions; and the house was entrusted to a care-keeper, who was as incompetent as he afterwards proved himself dishonest.
+The old steward, who had been dismissed to make room for this stranger, was immediately engaged by Aunt Sophia to stay in
+the neighbourhood and keep her informed of all that happened at the castle. For though she had removed to another province
+in which her own estates were situated, she could neither separate her affections nor her thoughts from her old home.
+
+</p>
+<p>Sometimes the Captain, who had now obtained the rank of Major, would come with a party of friends for the shooting, but he
+never seemed to observe that the whole place was going to rack and ruin. Further, he was always in want of money; and when
+his daughter married an English officer, Sir John Mordaunt, he was obliged to sell a considerable <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb40" href="#pb40">40</a>]</span>part of his estates, so as to be able to give her the portion of the fortune left her by her mother.
+
+</p>
+<p>He had already several mortgages on the property, and as his son led a wild life at college these went on increasing from
+year to year; until, when at last on obtaining his colonel&#8217;s pension and the honorary rank of general he was able to retire
+to the Castle de Werve, all he could call his own was the house, garden, and surrounding grounds.
+
+</p>
+<p>Aunt Sophia, on the contrary, whom it must be confessed was a sharp, clever woman, had in the meantime doubled her fortune,
+besides inheriting largely from a rich cousin who had taken her part in the family quarrel.
+
+</p>
+<p>As the proverb says, &#8220;hatred has four eyes,&#8221; and so she, making use of the information obtained from the old steward, appointed
+a lawyer to buy up on her behalf all the land sold by the General. This lawyer had further instructions to advance money on
+the mortgages, and to exact the interest with the greatest promptitude. In this way my aunt became so well acquainted with
+Von Zwenken&#8217;s money difficulties, that she could calculate the day, nay, even the hour, when he would be at her mercy.
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb41" href="#pb41">41</a>]</span></p>
+<p>At last, imagining the favourable moment had arrived, she sent a lawyer to offer him a much larger sum for the castle and
+the seignorial rights than any one else would be likely to give, seeing that she was secretly in possession of the surrounding
+estates.
+
+</p>
+<p>The General&#8217;s answer was to this effect: &#8220;He would not sell the seignorial rights at any price; and as for the castle, he
+had promised his deceased wife to keep her sister out of it at all costs, and he would rather see it fall about his ears than
+that Miss Sophia Roselaer should ever set foot inside it again.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Poor man, he little knew how much she had him in her power, and all the precautions she had taken. Otherwise he would have
+reflected twice before sending such an answer. Something suddenly occurred which obliged him to mortgage even the house itself&#8212;the
+cause is a mystery&#8212;and now Aunt Sophia might have been revenged; but for some inexplicable reason she countermanded her orders
+to Van Beek, who does not himself know why. Just before her death she sent for him to change her will, and it was on this
+occasion she made me her sole heir.
+
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb42" href="#pb42">42</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e468" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter VII.</h2>
+<p>I was invited to stay to luncheon by my lawyer, and I accepted the invitation.
+
+</p>
+<p>In the course of the conversation Van Beek said&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The country seat, Runenburg, will be at your disposal on the 31st of 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. They are very respectable people. How am
+I to act in the matter?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I stared at him in surprise and perplexity. Such a strange feeling came 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&#8217;s lodging bill was paid), now I had to decide about a house
+in town and a country seat.
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb43" href="#pb43">43</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I think, Mr. Van Beek, everything had better remain as it is until the question of my marriage with Miss Mordaunt is settled.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The Jonker forgets that that condition is not binding.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I look upon it as binding, though such may not be the legal interpretation of the will.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Would you not like to see the house whilst you are in Utrecht? It is beautifully situated, and well worth a visit, I can
+assure you.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, thank you, sir; but I should like to see the house in which my aunt lived: from its surroundings I may be able to obtain
+a better idea of her character.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, with pleasure, Jonker! I thought I had already told you,&#8221; began Van Beek, somewhat embarrassed, &#8220;that the old lady had
+bequeathed it to me, on condition her maid should occupy it as long as she lives. It is a splendid legacy; that I do not deny.
+But consider, I have served her thirty years in all kinds of business, some of which cost me much trouble and loss of time.
+And I may remind you that there is no extra money set aside for my expenses as executor, whilst I am recommended to assist
+the <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb44" href="#pb44">44</a>]</span>heir in every way, and to serve him to the best of my ability by my counsel.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My dear sir,&#8221; I rejoined, &#8220;it was to be expected that aunt would treat you generously. It is not my intention to dispute
+any of her bequests. It will be a sort of pilgrimage for me.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We will drive there at once after luncheon. It is only half an hour&#8217;s distance from the town.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I must confess the interior of my aunt&#8217;s dwelling did not enable me to gather any new ideas of the strange personage who once
+occupied it. The old waiting-woman received us with coolness, and chanted the praises of her late mistress in pious terms.
+The young cook shed a torrent of 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 come there to cut off his legacy. The house was furnished in a moderately comfortable style,
+most of the furniture being of the good solid sort common in the reign of King William I., though there had been an attempt
+to imitate the style of the First French Empire. There was only one sofa in the house, and one armchair <i>&agrave; la Voltaire</i>, in which Miss Roselaer reposed herself for just one hour after <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb45" href="#pb45">45</a>]</span>dinner every day. She must have been a clever, active woman up to the very last.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She was always making up her accounts or writing,&#8221; said her maid, &#8220;when she was not either reading or knitting.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And what did she read?&#8221; I asked.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mostly &#8216;unbelieving books&#8217;&#8212;those in the bookcase there; sometimes, but very seldom, the Bible.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>The &#8220;unbelieving books&#8221; were French, German, and English classics. I pointed out to Van Beek that I should like to possess
+this small but well-selected library. All the books are beautifully though not showily bound, and they bear marks of assiduous
+reading. Among the &#8220;unbelieving books&#8221; are the works of F&eacute;nelon, Bossuet, and Pascal, peacefully assorted with those of Voltaire
+and the Encyclop&aelig;dists, whilst Lavater, Gellert, Lessing, and Klopstock find a place by the side of Goethe and Schiller, and
+the plays of Iffland and Kotzebue.
+
+</p>
+<p>This was the first moment of unalloyed pleasure I have felt since I came into my fortune, when I once more cast my eyes over
+the library and beheld it with all the pride of ownership. I involuntarily put forth <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb46" href="#pb46">46</a>]</span>my hand to snatch up one of the volumes, as if I thereby wished to signify I was taking possession. Van Beek smiled and twinkled
+his cunning little eyes; but the maid, who was standing by, looked at me as though I had committed a sacrilege.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I should rather have thought the Jonker would have preferred my lady&#8217;s Bible,&#8221; she said.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I should certainly like the Bible as well as the other books, Mrs. Jones&#8212;that is to say, unless you wish to keep it yourself
+as a memento.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh no, Jonker! such a worldly, new-fashioned book I would not have in my possession. I can&#8217;t look upon it as God&#8217;s word;
+and I could never understand how my lady found edification in it.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s the matter with the Bible?&#8221; I asked Van Beek as we left the house.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing, absolutely nothing. It is an ordinary States-Bible, only not printed in the old-fashioned German type.&#8221;<a class="noteref" id="xd0e527src" href="#xd0e527">1</a>
+
+</p>
+<p>Upon my word, I thought aunt must indeed have <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb47" href="#pb47">47</a>]</span>been pretty liberal-minded to have put up with so bigoted a servant for so many years.
+
+</p>
+<p>The next day I set out for the small town of Zutphen, which is within an easy drive of the Castle de Werve.
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb48" href="#pb48">48</a>]</span></p>
+<div class="footnotes">
+<hr class="fnsep">
+<p class="footnote"><span class="label"><a class="noteref" href="#xd0e527src" id="xd0e527">1</a></span> The strictly orthodox party in Holland will only make use of the version of the Bible approved by the States-General in the
+seventeenth century; the bigots insist upon its being printed in the German characters in use at the time when the first copies
+were issued.
+</p>
+</div>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e537" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter VIII.</h2>
+<p>Castle de Werve, April, 1861.
+
+
+</p>
+<p>You see, my dear William, I have entered the fortress.
+
+</p>
+<p>But to resume my narrative. Van Beek gave me a letter of introduction to his friend Overberg, a lawyer in Zutphen, and I called
+upon this worthy man of the law as soon as I arrived in the town. This Overberg was the agent of my old Aunt Roselaer in these
+quarters, and it was through his good management of her affairs that she gradually obtained possession of Von Zwenken&#8217;s property,
+as the General usually borrowed money of Overberg. After all, the General was more fortunate than if he had fallen into the
+hands of usurers, who, speculating on his weakness, would have ruined him in a much shorter time. Overberg had advised the
+General to accept the offer of his sister-in-law&#8212;with what result <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb49" href="#pb49">49</a>]</span>you already know. For this reason he recommended me, if I wished to obtain a kindly reception at the Castle, not to present
+myself there as the heir to Miss Roselaer&#8217;s property; such an introduction being calculated to raise a prejudice against me
+from the first. Therefore I decided to present myself as a relation anxious to make the acquaintance of the family.
+
+</p>
+<p>Seizing the opportunity, I began to question Overberg about Miss Mordaunt.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have only spoken to her once,&#8221; he said; &#8220;the General always comes to see me in person. She is never seen in the town now.
+Once, indeed, whilst the General was still commandant of the garrison here, she came to consult me on a matter personal to
+herself, but that is a long time ago.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>The good-natured lawyer, though ignorant of my matrimonial plans, doubtless read disappointment in my face, for he resumed,
+as if to excuse the meagreness of his information&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You see, sir, the General then lived in grand style; and a wide distinction was also made in society between the military
+and the <i>bourgeoisie</i>. I was a widower, my time fully occupied, and I seldom went <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb50" href="#pb50">50</a>]</span>into society. Since my second marriage, however, we have parties and dinners enough&#8212;and that reminds me my wife has a <i>soir&eacute;e</i> this evening; several young ladies who know Miss Mordaunt are invited. Will you spend the evening with us? You can leave
+tomorrow early for the Werve. I will introduce you to the company as a gentleman looking out for a villa in our neighbourhood;
+for as you know, in a small town like ours, it is necessary to give a reason for your appearance among us, otherwise one will
+be invented&#8212;and such inventions are not always of a flattering kind. I can easily give the conversation a turn so as to cause
+it to fall on the family Von Zwenken, and you need only keep your ears open.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>This idea took my fancy; I accepted the invitation with pleasure, for a little society would help me to pass the evening more
+agreeably than I could spend it at my hotel.
+
+</p>
+<p>We dined quietly <i lang="fr">en famille</i>, and Overberg and his wife&#8212;hospitable, jovial people&#8212;seemed to me to belie the French verse&#8212;
+
+
+</p>
+<div class="&#xA; poem&#xA; " lang="fr">
+<p class="line" style=""><span>&#8220;De petits avocats,
+</span></p>
+<p class="line" style="text-indent: 2em; "><span>Qui se sont fait des sous,
+</span></p>
+<p class="line" style=""><span>En rognant des ducats.&#8221;</span></p>
+</div><span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb51" href="#pb51">51</a>]</span><p>Mr. Overberg is a shrewd, clever lawyer, who perfectly understands his business and the way to treat his clients politely
+and persuasively; he always discourages lawsuits, recommends delay and an attempt at an arrangement, and thus quietly brings
+about the desired result without, as it were, seeming to interfere. Aunt Sophia respected him highly for his discretion and
+foresight, though she took care never to let him see through her intentions, since he was not the man to take sharp and decisive
+measures. For any such business she employed Van Beek, who is a man to carry out the law to the letter, without feeling any
+pity for the sufferer.
+
+</p>
+<p>It was therefore in keeping with Overberg&#8217;s character that he recommended me to temporize with the General, to give him time
+to pay his debts, and not to drive such an old man to despair, though he was a <i>foreigner</i>. The good man little knew he was preaching to one who already shared his views, and whose inmost wish was to deal as gently
+as possible with Von Zwenken.
+
+</p>
+<p>I must acknowledge that what I heard at the <i lang="fr">soir&eacute;e</i> did not make a favourable impression on me. The past life of the young lady must have been a singular <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb52" href="#pb52">52</a>]</span>one, if there be any truth in the gossip I heard about 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 criticising their neighbours.
+
+</p>
+<p>But, however, you must judge for yourself from what follows.
+
+</p>
+<p>Among the ladies to whom I was introduced was a charming young widow with jet-black eyes and lively features; she is a niece
+of the Roselaers, I am told, and at first I felt very sorry her name was not Francis Mordaunt, the niece-elect of Aunt Sophia.
+However, when Overberg had drawn her out a little on the subject of the Von Zwenkens, I felt exceedingly glad to think our
+acquaintance would not extend beyond the present evening.
+
+</p>
+<p>I began to feel a most intense hatred against her, so unmercifully did she attack poor Francis.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, they had been well acquainted when her grandfather was commandant of the garrison, and she herself had visited at the
+house of the Colonel. But no, friendship had never existed between her and the young lady; she was too eccentric and ill-mannered.
+Just imagine, Jonker, she came to our house one evening when she knew there was to be dancing <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb53" href="#pb53">53</a>]</span>and music. Yes, she dropped in, as <i>nonchalant</i> as possible, in a dark merino dress, fastened up to the neck, with a turn-down collar and a silk neckerchief&#8212;just for all
+the world like a boy. And her boots&#8212;they might have belonged to some plough-boy. Upon my word, I believe there were <i>nails</i> in the soles; a non-commissioned officer would not have been so rude as to enter a <i>salon</i> in them.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps she had made a mistake about the evening,&#8221; I said, by way of excuse.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Certainly not! She received her invitation a week beforehand. Surely that was time enough to get a ball-dress made. And it
+was not because she hadn&#8217;t got any other dresses; for two days afterwards she came to a house where we were invited to spend
+a quiet evening, <i lang="fr">en grande toilette</i>, a low dress (as if she expected to be invited to dance), and resplendent with jewellery and diamonds. Now I ask you if that
+was not done to annoy us and to wound our feelings?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It seems to me she took more trouble to do honour to the ladies than she had taken to please the gentlemen.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The truth is, she was not at all complimentary <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb54" href="#pb54">54</a>]</span>to the gentlemen,&#8221; rejoined a thin, elderly-looking spinster of an uncertain age, dressed in an old-fashioned style, who I
+should have thought would have been the last person to come to the defence of a sex that had so clearly neglected her.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And the gentlemen&#8212;no doubt they reciprocated her <i>nonchalance</i>?&#8221; I asked. &#8220;It is very probable she was left in the company of the elderly ladies all the evening to increase the number
+of &#8216;wall flowers.&#8217;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes! but it was because she wished it,&#8221; replied the widow. &#8220;She would be sure of partners, though she were never such a fright.
+All the young officers are, as a matter of course, obliged &#8216;to do the amiable&#8217; to the granddaughter of their colonel. Moreover,
+Francis Mordaunt is mistress of the art of attracting or repelling as it pleases her. Notwithstanding all her strange whims
+and caprices, she is never at a loss for a partner, and the moment she enters any ball-room she becomes the observed of all
+observers. The gentlemen flock round her; she is flattered, flirted with&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, flirted with, I grant you; but not respected, I&#8217;m sure,&#8221; interrupted the elderly spinster. &#8220;It is chiefly done to draw
+out her smart repartees, and the <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb55" href="#pb55">55</a>]</span>unladylike answers which have made her so famous (or rather infamous).&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;In fact everybody is amused at her scathing replies.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Which the ladies are afraid of,&#8221; said a gentleman, half jestingly, half reproachfully, &#8220;for as a rule they are as true as
+they are sharp.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;As a rule she makes the gentlemen the butt of her raillery.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How strange then, indeed, that the ladies take her part so little!&#8221; I could not help remarking.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is <i>not</i> strange, Jonker! The peculiar manner she has adopted to render herself noticeable is just the one our sex cannot suffer.
+In all her victories we saw a defeat; the good tone was lost.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And how did the party pass off for Miss Mordaunt in that curious dress?&#8221; I inquired, for I had less interest in carrying
+on a <i>combat d&#8217;esprit</i> with the vicious little widow than in drawing out a more complete sketch of Francis&#8217; character, though it might be coloured
+by slander.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just as she wished it, I believe. In the early part of the evening she was somewhat neglected, and <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb56" href="#pb56">56</a>]</span>this was evidently her wish, for she did nothing to prevent it; on the contrary, she had told the hostess that 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.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She&#8217;s cunning enough,&#8221; put in the elderly spinster. &#8220;She only said that lest afterwards she should feel ashamed of herself
+at the close of the party, in case no one invited her to dance.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;In fact, it requires more moral courage than the gentlemen in these parts as a rule possess to lead out a lady dressed as
+she was,&#8221; interposed the widow again.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It appears that the custom of not sparing us gentlemen is catching,&#8221; whispered an officer, who had been introduced as Captain
+Sanders.
+
+</p>
+<p>I silently bowed, for I wished to listen to Mrs. X., who continued&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Finally, however, when the <i>cotillon</i> was called, she must join, and the unfortunate leader of the dance had to sacrifice himself. Lieutenant Wilibald, her grandfather&#8217;s
+adjutant, was obliged to take her in tow, mustering up all his courage. After showing a good deal of resistance, which appeared
+seriously <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb57" href="#pb57">57</a>]</span>meant, she allowed herself to be led out, but did nothing to lighten her partner&#8217;s unpleasant task. On the contrary, she was
+so recalcitrant, so inattentive and so awkward, that she often caused confusion, and her partner had the greatest difficulty
+to rectify her mistakes. Indeed, the polite young officer was pitied by the whole company, and the more so because it was
+known that he was sacrificing himself to a sense of duty; for he was engaged to a charming young lady who had been prevented
+from attending the ball by a recent death in the family.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Pardon, madame; permit me to say that your representation of the facts is not quite correct,&#8221; interrupted Captain Sanders,
+in whose favour I immediately became prepossessed on account of his serious and earnest look. &#8220;Allow me to set you right as
+to facts, for I am a friend of Lieutenant Wilibald&#8217;s, and I know he would be sorry if what you have said should go forth to
+the world as truth. It was by no means a disagreeable task for him to lead out Miss Mordaunt in any dress she chose to appear
+in, for he was too much in love with her to notice such small matters as dress. Yes, I venture to say, if it had depended
+on him alone he would <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb58" href="#pb58">58</a>]</span>not have married the woman he has; but he was forced by circumstances, and Miss Mordaunt did her utmost to promote the marriage
+and to put him in possession of a fortune.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I inwardly thanked the Captain for his chivalrous defence of the absent, and I would gladly have taken him by the hand and
+done so publicly, but that this would have prevented my hearing more on the subject of Francis.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And has Miss Mordaunt been married since?&#8221; I asked, trying to put the question as disinterestedly as possible.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, no!&#8221; cried the elderly spinster with a triumphant smile. &#8220;So far as we know (and we know pretty well everything that
+happens in our circle), she has never had an offer.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah! that is very strange; a young lady who seems to be possessed of so many attractions,&#8221; I observed.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s not at all strange,&#8221; interrupted the little widow, in a coquettish, sentimental tone. &#8220;It was never difficult for
+her to attract admirers and flatterers for the moment, but it is only by the heart that a woman wins true affection and esteem;
+and, <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb59" href="#pb59">59</a>]</span>with the Captain&#8217;s permission, no one could ever believe Francis Mordaunt to be in earnest, for she has no heart&#8212;she never
+cared for anything but horses and dogs.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You forget her grandfather!&#8221; pleaded the Captain.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, yes, she has been his idol; but this very fact has turned out her ruin.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How are we to understand that remark, madame?&#8221; asked Overberg, whose jovial face grew serious.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That he has left the girl far too much to her own whims and fancies.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What shall I say, <i lang="fr">ch&egrave;re amie</i>? He was afraid of her.&#8221; (It was the elderly spinster who again began the attack.) &#8220;He could roar at his officers, but he
+was afraid of a scene with Francis.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Excuse me for once more contradicting you, miss. Colonel von Zwenken never roared at his officers&#8212;this I know by experience;
+but it is true he was conspicuous by his absence when Francis Mordaunt went into society. He suffered her to go out when she
+liked, and with whom she liked. Alas! he sat at the card table in his club whilst Francis by her thoughtlessness and certain
+peculiarities in <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb60" href="#pb60">60</a>]</span>her character, was rendering herself a victim to calumny and envious tongues.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Bravo, Captain! it&#8217;s noble of you to defend the absent.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;As well known as the eccentricities of Major Frank. Whatever Captain Sanders may say, we are not making her conduct appear
+worse than it is; we are only speaking of it as it struck us at the time.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That everybody must acknowledge,&#8221; said an old lady, who had thus far listened with sparkling eyes. &#8220;Only remember what talk
+her conduct gave rise to when she met the stranger staying at the &#8216;Golden Salmon,&#8217; by appointment, unknown to the Colonel,
+who had forbidden the man his house! Did she not set all our ideas of good breeding at defiance by walking in the plantation
+in open daylight with a perfect stranger.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;In fact, I am assured she pawned her diamonds to pay his hotel bill. She even wished to sell them, for she asked a friend
+of mine to buy them.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Overberg&#8217;s healthy, blooming face turned pale; <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb61" href="#pb61">61</a>]</span>but he said nothing. The Captain, however, spoke again&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is only too true she would risk all to attain her ends, if she had once set her mind on a thing.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And that for a person who went to a third-rate hotel&#8212;did not even give his own name, as it was said afterwards; and who certainly
+was a sharper or a coiner.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If such had been the case, the police would have looked after him sharp,&#8221; interposed Overberg.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is my opinion also,&#8221; said the Captain; &#8220;and I think Wilibald Smeekens was right. He said it was some one who had formerly
+committed a breach of military discipline, and whom she out of pity wished to assist in getting out of the country.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ahem! out of pity,&#8221; said the old lady. &#8220;Young ladies should be careful how they show such pity&#8212;carrying on an intrigue. I
+can assure you that at the time it was a question whether we ought not to banish her from our society.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But no one dared to pronounce the sentence of banishment,&#8221; said the Captain, &#8220;for fear of the Colonel, who had it in his
+power to refuse the military music for the balls and open-air concerts in <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb62" href="#pb62">62</a>]</span>summer. And this he certainly would have done if he had known what was hatching against his granddaughter. But the ladies
+were more prudent; they pulled poor Francis to pieces behind her back.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;With this result,&#8221; added the elderly spinster, &#8220;that of her own accord she almost entirely withdrew from our society.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, there is another reason,&#8221; said the widow, with a significant shake of the head; &#8220;it was not our treatment, but her own
+conscience which pricked her after that affair with her coachman.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, you are quite right; that was a sad affair,&#8221; assented the Captain, to my painful surprise.
+
+</p>
+<p>The honourable man, who had evidently combatted calumny and slander, was now silenced. I wished to ask what had happened,
+but the words stuck in my throat; I felt as if they would choke me. The postmaster, however, who had just entered the room,
+put the question, which the tongues of the ladies were quivering with impatience to answer.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Unfortunately, no one knows the exact particulars,&#8221; began the elderly spinster, whose shrill, sharp voice made itself heard
+above the rest; &#8220;but it is generally believed she wished to make her coachman <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb63" href="#pb63">63</a>]</span>elope with her. Possibly she might have succeeded, but the man was already married, and when that became known&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She pitched him off the box whilst the horses were going at a furious rate,&#8221; put in the old lady, with a demoniacal smile
+of pleasure.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Others who are supposed to know, say she struck him dead with the whip,&#8221; added the little widow, who must have her say. &#8220;Horrible!
+most horrible!&#8221; she continued, turning up her eyes with mock sentimentality.
+
+</p>
+<p>Yes, horrible indeed, thought I, when both young ladies and old vie with each other in a wicked desire to give the <i>coup de gr&acirc;ce</i> to one of their own sex who has erred, or, may be, only taken one false step in life.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have been told,&#8221; murmured another voice, &#8220;that she fought with him; and the horses taking fright, he fell from the box
+under their feet.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;However it happened, the truth will never be known, for he now lies in the churchyard.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, now you&#8217;ve got the truth without any figures of speech,&#8221; jested the widow; &#8220;and with him the crime is buried, and hushed
+up for ever.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb64" href="#pb64">64</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;With your permission, ladies, had there been a question of anything of that sort, the law would have taken its course,&#8221; observed
+Overberg; &#8220;and I know for certain it was never brought before a court.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That I can believe,&#8221; answered the widow. &#8220;The magistrate is a great friend of the Colonel&#8217;s, plays cards with him every evening,
+and to palliate the affair, and silence public indignation, he made an official visit to the commandant&#8217;s house. Francis Mordaunt
+was examined, and, as might be expected beforehand, came out of the affair snow-white&#8212;at least, according to the magistrate&#8217;s
+report,&#8221; added the widow, with a satirical shrug of the shoulders.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But, madame,&#8221; interposed Overberg, evidently growing angry, &#8220;do you mean to say you suspect the impartiality of the magistrate?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I suspect no one; I only tell you how the affair ended&#8212;namely, that it was hushed up, and the relations of the coachman bribed
+to keep quiet. Such people are easily frightened. One thing, however, is certain, and that is, Major Frank has not dared to
+show her face in our circle since; and besides this, it seems to have been the cause of her grandfather retiring from the
+service.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb65" href="#pb65">65</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;He had attained the age to be put on the retired list,&#8221; said the Captain; &#8220;and with his pension he obtained the honorary
+rank of General.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Be that as it may, the General retired from the world to Castle de Werve,&#8221; observed the old lady.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where, now, Major Frank has the command,&#8221; put in the spinster.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And spends her time in riding and shooting,&#8221; added the little widow, turning up her nose superciliously.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I venture to contradict the latter part of the assertion with regard to the shooting,&#8221; said Overberg; &#8220;for the General has
+not renewed his shooting license and has leased the shooting over his own estates to a client of mine, who, however, leaves
+the hares and partridges in perfect peace.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>This latter remark led to a long conversation amongst the gentlemen about the shooting and fishing in the neighbourhood, whilst
+the ladies set to work to sharpen their tongues on other absent victims.
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb66" href="#pb66">66</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e784" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter IX.</h2>
+<p>Notwithstanding all my efforts to appear calm and unconcerned, Overberg observed that the hard judgment passed on Francis
+had made a deep impression on my mind. Taking me aside, he whispered in my ear&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We will talk this subject over to-morrow morning before your departure; in the meantime don&#8217;t let it trouble you. You know
+the proverb: &#8216;The devil&#8217;s not so black as he is painted.&#8217;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>It was easy for him to talk; but, alas! he knew not yet the reasons I had for being so deeply interested in this young lady.
+
+</p>
+<p>I passed a restless night. In the morning, when the carriage I had ordered over-night drove up to the door, I was still debating
+in my own mind whether I should go to the Werve, or tell my driver to take <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb67" href="#pb67">67</a>]</span>me to the nearest station and return to the Hague. After a few minutes, however, Overberg made his appearance, and accosted
+me in the following words&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I believe I have guessed your noble intention, which is to make the acquaintance of Miss Mordaunt, and, if she please you,
+to remove all difficulties in the most amiable manner possible. I cannot tell you how praiseworthy, how wise and sensible,
+your plan seems to me; but what surprises me is that the testatrix never suggested it to you, she being a woman of such clear
+and sound judgment in matters of this sort.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She has given me such a hint&#8212;I will no longer try to conceal it from you&#8212;and it was my intention to follow her advice. But
+what I heard last night has quite changed my mind on that point.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nonsense! Never let gossip have any influence over you. Remember that people living in a small town are possessed by the
+evil spirit of slander, and furthermore, that they express their opinions in a very crude manner.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s all well and good; but in a small town where every one is known by his neighbour, people <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb68" href="#pb68">68</a>]</span>would not dare to calumniate and slander each other without grounds.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I will not attempt to contradict your statement; but let me remind you that certain uncommon occurrences and eccentric acts
+on the part of a young lady may be explained in different ways, and why should you believe the worse account of them, coloured
+as it certainly is by envy, hatred, and malice. I willingly confess I could not contradict all that was said about Miss Mordaunt
+last night; my business has always been with her grandfather, who speaks of her in the highest terms. For this reason I could
+not foresee that the ladies would be so severe on her conduct. Otherwise I should have avoided the subject, and made inquiries
+for you of people less prejudiced and more trustworthy.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you know any such people here?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Such people can be found. Why, in my professional career, I have so often seen the most wicked accusations burst like a soap-bubble
+when submitted to the touchstone of cross-examination, that now I believe nothing which I have not seen with my own eyes,
+or for which I have not proofs equal to the same.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb69" href="#pb69">69</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Then with regard to the diamonds, you have some certain proofs?&#8221; I asked.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You are right; I was engaged in that business. The young lady required more money than the goldsmith was willing to advance
+on them; and they were never offered for sale unless he took such a liberty during the hour he had them in his possession.
+In her difficulties she came to me, her grandfather&#8217;s lawyer. I obtained the money from Miss Roselaer, as I always did for
+the General, and she refused either to take the diamonds or accept the interest on the money she lent; consequently the diamonds
+are still in my possession.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And do you know for what purpose this money was required?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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 one with). What the relationship between them was I am unable to say. The stranger only stayed four days in the village,
+and I did not see him myself. Of course I have heard the flying reports. Some people say he was dressed like a gentleman,
+and had a gentleman&#8217;s manners; others, on the contrary, describe him as <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb70" href="#pb70">70</a>]</span>a rogue and a vagabond, who got drunk in the lowest public-houses in the place. This latter account may also be true, for,
+as you know, a woman&#8217;s sympathy is often bestowed on the most undeserving creatures.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;With regard to the coachman, you must allow her womanly sympathy does not show itself in a favourable light,&#8221; I interposed,
+with a certain bitterness in my tone.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am unacquainted with the facts of that case. Still, I fancy it is far from such a bad case as the amiable ladies made it
+out to be; and in your place I should not suffer it to interfere with my projected visit to the Werve. Miss Mordaunt has been
+accused, in my presence, of brusque manners, imprudent behaviour, and so forth; but she is renowned for her plain and straightforward
+dealing, which has brought her into disrepute with her female friends, they preferring to say the most impertinent things
+in the blandest tone possible. I am sure you 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 with the General to arrange matters will be absolutely necessary.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>There was no refuting Overberg&#8217;s line of argument. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb71" href="#pb71">71</a>]</span>I confessed to myself that it would be unfair on my part to form an opinion until after a personal interview and further inquiries.
+So, accepting his advice, I stepped into the carriage, and ordered the driver to take the road to the Castle de Werve.
+
+</p>
+<p>The morning was raw and cold, without sun, and the air was so heavy that I did not know whether to expect snow or hail. At
+the toll-bar my driver made inquiries about a short cut through a lane planted with poplars, which would bring us out near
+the &#8220;fir wood.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>As the country was very monotonous, and there was nothing to attract my attention, I sank into deep thought, and began arranging
+a plan for my conduct on first meeting with my cousin, a little speech to be made when I was presented to her, and so forth.
+But then it occurred to me that our best-laid schemes are generally thrown into confusion by the circumstances of the event:
+how much more likely was this to be the case 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.
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb72" href="#pb72">72</a>]</span></p>
+<p>In the midst of these thoughts the carriage suddenly came to a standstill, and the driver pointed out to me that the lane
+terminated in a half-circle&#8212;he had taken the lane on the wrong side of the wood. Whilst speaking we heard a horse galloping
+behind us, and in another moment it shot past us like lightning.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s Major Frank!&#8221; said the driver.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Major Frank,&#8221; I repeated, in a tone of anger and surprise. &#8220;Whom do you mean by that?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, the young lady of the Castle. They call her so in our village, when she comes to see the boy.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Cutting short the conversation, I ordered him to find his way to the Castle as soon as possible. A few minutes later, however,
+he had got his carriage on such marshy ground that he was obliged to request me to walk until he could lead his horse on to
+a firmer place.
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb73" href="#pb73">73</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e848" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter X.</h2>
+<p>Once on my legs I took a view of the surrounding country. We were on the outskirts of the wood, and separated from the ploughed
+cornfields by a half-dry ditch, luxuriantly overgrown with all kinds of marsh plants. On our right was a heath; on the left
+potato fields. There was not a soul to be seen, and on consulting my watch I found it was just twelve o&#8217;clock. Consequently
+all the farm labourers had gone home to their midday meal.
+
+</p>
+<p>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 in the direction of the undulating heath; and on the top of a sand-hill, overgrown with grass, stood the person
+who was enjoying our perplexity.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Major Frank!&#8221; exclaimed the driver in his <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb74" href="#pb74">74</a>]</span>shrill tone of voice, his astonishment and annoyance causing him to show little respect.
+
+</p>
+<p>It was indeed Francis Mordaunt herself who was mocking us. Really, I could never have anticipated such a reception.
+
+</p>
+<p>As she stood there, some feet above me but still pretty near, I had a good view of her; and I cannot say that this first sight
+reconciled me to the person who had already caused me so many disagreeable emotions. Perhaps it was not her fault; but she
+was dressed in such a strange manner that at first sight I was doubtful whether a man or a woman stood before me. She had
+gathered up her riding-habit in a way that reminded me of Zouave trousers, and she had, besides, put on a wide cloak made
+of some long-haired material&#8212;which was doubtless very useful this sharp, cold spring day, but which, buttoned up to her throat,
+was not adapted to show off the beauty of her form if she was really well-shaped. Her head-gear consisted of a gray billy-cock
+hat with a soft, downward-bent brim, ornamented with a bunch of cock&#8217;s feathers negligently fastened with a green ribbon&#8212;just
+as if she really wished to imitate the wild huntsman of the fairy tale. And then, because <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb75" href="#pb75">75</a>]</span>it was rather windy, she had tied a red silk handkerchief over her hat and fastened it under her chin. She wore no veil. As
+far as I could judge of her appearance, she seemed to be rather delicately built and slim, with a fine Roman nose. Still,
+I was not in the humour to be agreeably impressed by a face convulsed with laughter, and bandaged up as if she had the toothache.
+Her laugh sounded to my ears like a provocation, and rendered me little inclined to be courteous to a woman who had so evidently
+forgotten all feminine self-respect.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Listen,&#8221; I cried&#8212;&#8220;listen for a moment, you who are rejoicing so much at your neighbour&#8217;s distress. You would do better to
+direct us on our way.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There is no way. I should have thought you could see that. Any one who enters this wood except with the purpose of driving
+round it, does a very stupid thing.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And you?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I?&#8221; she laughed again. &#8220;I jumped my horse over the dry ditch yonder. Imitate me if you feel inclined, though I fear with
+your horse and carriage it will not be quite so easy. But where are you going to?&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb76" href="#pb76">76</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;To the Castle de Werve.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;To the Werve!&#8221; she repeated, descending the hill and approaching me as nearly as she could on the opposite side of the ditch.
+&#8220;What is your business at the Castle, sir?&#8221; she inquired, in quite another tone, no longer speaking like a &#8220;somebody&#8221; to a
+&#8220;nobody.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;To pay a visit to General von Zwenken, and his granddaughter, Freule Mordaunt.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The General no longer receives visitors, and what you have to say to his granddaughter you can address to me. I am Freule
+Mordaunt.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can scarcely believe it; but, if so, may I request Freule Mordaunt to appoint a more suitable place than this. What I have
+got to say cannot be shouted across a ditch in the presence of a third person.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then you must drive back to the toll-bar. There they will direct you to the village, from which you can easily reach the
+Castle, if your visit is so very urgent.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;In order to give you time to get home and deny yourself to all visitors, my little Major,&#8221; I thought to myself. &#8220;But now&#8217;s
+my opportunity, and I will not let it slip me.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb77" href="#pb77">77</a>]</span></p>
+<p>So, giving orders to the driver to go on to the village and wait for me there, I took my stout walking-stick, fixed it as
+firmly as I could in the muddy bottom of the ditch, and reached the opposite side I scarcely know how.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Bravo! well done!&#8221; cried Francis, clapping her hands with delight.
+
+</p>
+<p>As I approached I raised my hat, and she saluted with her riding-whip.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is an amusing adventure, sir,&#8221; she said, again laughing; &#8220;if you still wish to go to Werve you must cross the heath.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is it a long walk?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, it is much shorter than by the high-road, but as you don&#8217;t know the way, you run the risk of getting lost again.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You forget that I have a claim on your company for the rest of the way.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A claim! how do you make that out?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Miss Mordaunt promised me an interview; is it strange that I should seize the first occasion that offers?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t even know the way myself. My horse has lost a shoe, and I have left him at the game-keeper&#8217;s, <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb78" href="#pb78">78</a>]</span>so I shall have to get home as well as I can without assistance. Have you really business at the Castle? I can assure you
+the General has an aversion to visitors!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wish to make his acquaintance and yours, as I am staying in the neighbourhood, and I, remember, I am related to the family
+Von Zwenken by my mother&#8217;s side.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;So much the worse for you. At the Castle relationship is a bad recommendation.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That I have already heard; but I am not a Roselaer, I am a Van Zonshoven, Freule&#8212;Leopold van Zonshoven,&#8221; I said, introducing
+myself.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have never heard the name before. However, as you are not a Roselaer you perhaps stand a better chance of a kind reception.
+But is it quite certain you do not come to trouble the General about business?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;In that case I should have sent a lawyer, with orders not to inconvenience Miss Mordaunt.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then you would have done wrong,&#8221; she rejoined, becoming serious. &#8220;The General is over seventy, and has had a life full of
+trouble; and I will not try to conceal from you that he has many cares and difficulties <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb79" href="#pb79">79</a>]</span>to contend with even now. It is for this reason I desire you to tell me without reserve the object of your visit. Perhaps
+I can find some means&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I protest to you that my greatest desire is to assist you in sparing your grandfather all annoyance.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The sentiment does you honour, but it leads me to doubt your relationship, for it is contrary to all our family traditions.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There are exceptions to every rule, as you know, and I hope to prove myself an exception in your family traditions.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then you shall be welcome at the Werve also by exception, for as a rule we admit no new faces.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s a pity; for I cannot think it is <i>your</i> wish to live in such isolation.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Quite my wish!&#8221; she interposed, with a certain haughtiness. &#8220;I have had sufficient experience of mankind to make me care
+little for their society.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;So young, and already such a misanthrope&#8212;afraid of the world!&#8221; I observed.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am not so very young&#8212;I am turned twenty-six; and the campaign years, as grandfather calls them, count double. You may speak
+to me as though <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb80" href="#pb80">80</a>]</span>I were a woman of forty. I have quite as much experience of life.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ladies talk like that when they wish to be contradicted.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ladies!&#8221; she cried, with ineffable contempt. &#8220;I very earnestly request you not to include me in the category of beings commonly
+denominated ladies.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;In which category must I put you? For, to tell the truth, at first sight I did not know what to call you.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I believe you,&#8221; she said, with a little laugh; &#8220;for to any one who does not know me I must appear very odd. But, tell me,
+what did you take me for at first sight&#8212;for an apparition of the wild huntsman?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;An apparition! Certainly not; that&#8217;s too ethereal. I took you for a sad reality&#8212;a gamekeeper suffering from toothache.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>She seemed piqued for a moment, her cheeks coloured, and she bit her lips.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s rude,&#8221; she said at last, and glanced at me with scintillating eyes.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You asked for the truth,&#8221; I rejoined.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;So I did; and you shall find I can endure the <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb81" href="#pb81">81</a>]</span>truth. Give me your hand, cousin; I think we shall become good friends.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I hope so, cousin. But don&#8217;t be generous by halves: let me touch your hand, and not that rough riding-glove.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You are a fastidious fellow,&#8221; she said, shaking her head; &#8220;but you shall have your way. There.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>And a beautiful white hand lay in mine, which I held a minute longer than was absolutely necessary. She did not seem to perceive
+it.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But call me Francis; I shall call you Leo. The endless repetition of cousin is so wearisome,&#8221; she said frankly.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Most willingly;&#8221; and I pressed her hand again.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Your driver will have told you he recognized Major Frank.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s but too true; and don&#8217;t you, Francis, consider it a great insult that people dare to call you by such a name?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I don&#8217;t mind it in the least! I know they have given me this nickname. I am neither better nor worse for it. I know,
+also, that I am pointed at as a Cossack or a cavalry officer by the people round, and am stared at because I dress to suit
+my <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb82" href="#pb82">82</a>]</span>own convenience, and not according to the latest fashions.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But a woman should try to please others in her way of dressing. In my opinion, a woman&#8217;s first duty is to make herself agreeable.
+Can we not show our good taste even in the simplest and plainest attire?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>She coloured a little.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you imagine, then, that I have no taste at all, because I have put on this shaggy cloak to protect me from the east winds?&#8221;
+she demanded sharply.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I do not judge from that single article of dress; I am referring to the <i>ensemble</i>, and one gets a bad opinion of a young lady&#8217;s taste when she wraps up her face in an unsightly red handkerchief.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Which gives her the appearance of a gamekeeper with the toothache,&#8221; she interposed, with a quick, bold air. &#8220;Well now, that&#8217;s
+easily remedied, if the wind will respect my billycock;&#8221; and hereupon she untied the handkerchief and unpinned her riding-habit.
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb83" href="#pb83">83</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e998" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XI.</h2>
+<p>As she stepped forward, the long train of her riding-habit added to the beauty of her slender figure. Now, indeed, I could
+see that she was not ugly, though she had done her best to render herself unattractive. It is true her features were sharp
+and irregular, but neither rude nor coarse. In her face there was an expression of haughtiness and firmness, that spoke loudly
+of conscientious strength and independent character. It was clear that she had struggled and suffered a good deal, without
+allowing it to rob her of her natural cheerfulness and good spirits. Her large blue eyes expressed an open-heartedness which
+inspired confidence. That they could gleam with indignation, or glow with enthusiasm, I had already experienced.
+
+</p>
+<p>She walked along with considerable difficulty, for <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb84" href="#pb84">84</a>]</span>her dress caused her to trip at almost every step. I offered her my arm, but she refused it. Suddenly she stood quite still
+and said&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Forgive me, Leo, for the unmerciful way in which I laughed at you, when I saw the &#8216;mess&#8217; your driver had brought you into.
+I was not laughing at you personally; but I am always so tickled when I see the so-called &#8216;lords of creation&#8217; making themselves
+ridiculous, that I could not restrain my laughter.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I bear you no malice, Francis, on that account; but how is it you are so embittered against my sex?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Major Frank,&#8221; she answered, &#8220;has but too often had occasion to study the character of men.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is to say, that after over-confidence in the brilliant uniforms which have proved deceptive, Major Frank has decided
+to revenge herself on civilians as well as military men.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You are quite mistaken. Major Frank is acquainted with all the ranks from corporal to general; and in civil life she has
+had an opportunity of studying men wearing court dress, decorations, and orders. And this is the conclusion she has come to:
+that discipline is the best means of bringing out <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb85" href="#pb85">85</a>]</span>whatever good there is in a man, whilst at the same time it keeps the evil within bounds.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What you say is not very encouraging for your future husband, Francis.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My future husband!&#8221; she cried, with a bitter laugh. &#8220;Now I see you are a perfect stranger in these parts, Leopold. But you
+need not trouble yourself about me; I shall never marry.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who knows? Circumstances may induce&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Me to take a husband,&#8221; she interrupted, growing indignant. &#8220;Listen, Leo: you know nothing about me, and what you think you
+know will have been told you by slanderous tongues. Therefore I will not take offence at what you have said; but I request
+you not to think so meanly of me as to believe I would sacrifice my name and my person on the altar of Mammon, and make a
+<i lang="fr">mariage de raison</i>&#8212;the most unreasonable and immoral union that can exist.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Many a proud lady who once thought as you do, Francis,&#8221; I answered, &#8220;has been induced by the counsel of her friends to change
+her state of &#8216;single blessedness,&#8217; which is such a mark for calumny and lies&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And you would have me take a husband to serve <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb86" href="#pb86">86</a>]</span>as a shield against these?&#8221; she cried, vehemently. &#8220;No, Leopold van Zonshoven, when you once know Francis Mordaunt, you will
+find she does not fear calumniators, and that she disdains to seek protection from them in the way you recommend!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Forewarned is forearmed,&#8221; and I now understood that it behoved me to proceed cautiously. Still I determined to try a ruse
+of war. Looking her steadfastly in the face, I said&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And suppose my visit to the Werve were expressly for the purpose of seeking your hand in marriage?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My hand! It is not true you come with such a purpose!&#8221; she exclaimed in a bitter tone.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But let us suppose it to be true; what would your answer be?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If I thought you came with any such intentions, I should simply leave you where you are, in the middle of the heath, to find
+your way to the Werve as best you could. There&#8217;s my answer.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>And she started off as fast as she could go.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Listen, Francis,&#8221; I said, rejoining her. &#8220;If such had been my object in visiting the Castle, your answer would not stop me.
+I am obstinate enough <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb87" href="#pb87">87</a>]</span>myself; but, as I would not willingly wound the feelings of any lady (pardon me the use of this word), I should take good
+care not to make her an offer in such a brusque manner, and, above all, not until I had some hopes of receiving a favourable
+answer.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Be it so; but I must tell you I see neither wit nor humour in your kind of pleasantry.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>In another instant a gust of wind carried away her felt hat, and then her net, causing her golden hair to fall over her shoulders
+in rich profusion. At this moment I thought her worthy to sit for a Madonna. I could not believe my eyes, or rather I could
+not remove my eyes from her, so much was I struck with wonder and admiration. She doubtless read her triumph in my looks,
+and seemed for an instant to enjoy it. Decidedly, then, she had not lost all the feminine instincts, though the time of their
+duration was short on any single occasion.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well,&#8221; she said, &#8220;you are very polite. You stand as if you were nailed to the ground, instead of running after my hat.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I did not suffer her to say this twice, but, running after the ugly old hat, caught it just before it could disappear in one
+of the sand pits. She followed <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb88" href="#pb88">88</a>]</span>me, but unfortunately caught the train of her riding-habit in a bush, which tripped her, and caused her to fall with her beautiful
+locks of hair amongst the briers. At first she refused all assistance, but in the end she was obliged to let me disentangle
+her hair&#8212;a circumstance which annoyed her much more than the accident itself. I knelt beside her, and heaven knows with what
+care I loosened one lock after the other. This, however, was a work of time, as she was very impatient, and her struggles
+were every now and then undoing the little I had accomplished.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now you see into what a predicament your precious advice has brought me; how much more practical my own arrangement was!
+The handkerchief looked inelegant, if you like, but it would have prevented me this trouble. Why did I swerve from my principles?
+Why was I led astray by other people&#8217;s ideas?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>At last I could say, &#8220;You are free!&#8221; at the same time holding out my hand to assist her in rising. But no, she would have
+no further aid from me; and bounding up like a hart, requested me to walk on in front whilst she arranged her dress. She was
+not long about it, and when she overtook me the hateful <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb89" href="#pb89">89</a>]</span>handkerchief was tied round her hat again, and I had lost my right to protest against it.
+
+</p>
+<p>She now took my arm of her own accord, and said gaily, &#8220;This I do, Leo, to recompense you for being so generous as not to
+revenge yourself by laughing at me in my distress.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Laugh at you, Francis! I was frightened.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There was not much to be frightened about; but I was really afraid you would mock me and pay me back in my own coin.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>As we walked on we continued to discuss the subject of female propriety, she claiming the right to live according to her own
+ideas, without any regard for public opinion; I maintaining that reserve and gentleness are more becoming in a woman, from
+every point of view, than trying to set public opinion at defiance. She, however, interrupted the conversation by pointing
+out the Werve to me as soon as we came in sight of it.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now,&#8221; she said, &#8220;I request you to tell me plainly the object of your visit to the General, before I introduce you to the
+house.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have already told you: I wish to make the acquaintance of my mother&#8217;s relations.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb90" href="#pb90">90</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I shall feel better satisfied,&#8221; she rejoined, &#8220;if you will promise me not to trouble the poor old gentleman about business
+matters.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I had no difficulty in conscientiously giving such a promise. Then Francis continued&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I must also warn you the General is not alone. We have a certain Captain Rolf, an old pensioned officer, quartered at the
+Werve; he is 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 his company. Our way of treating each other may surprise you, perhaps annoy you. Even when I was a child
+he called me his colonel, and flew anywhere at a wink from me; and he does so still, though his movements have been rendered
+more tardy by his stiff legs and rheumatism. Fishing is his favourite amusement since he has been obliged to give up shooting.
+I employ him as my gamekeeper; and when the cook is ill, he prefers frying a beefsteak and making the soup himself, to going
+on short commons. In fact, he is a gastronome, and since he obtained his pension his whole time seems to be occupied with
+the grand question: &#8216;What shall we eat to day?&#8217; And, alas! grandfather <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb91" href="#pb91">91</a>]</span>is no less interested in the same subject, so that most of their morning conversation is about the dishes to be prepared for
+the dinner.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>As we drew near the manor-house Francis gently withdrew her arm from mine, and stepped on sharply as we heard the clock in
+the village church-steeple strike one, saying&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know I am being waited for impatiently, and half the garrison will have turned out in search of me.&#8221;
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb92" href="#pb92">92</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e1094" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XII.</h2>
+<p>The Castle de Werve presented all the appearances of ancient opulence; but also of dilapidation dating from a long time back.
+There was the feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight to the large gate, full of those iron rivets
+used in olden times as a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike. But the wood itself was rotting, and the rusty
+hinges could scarcely sustain their accustomed weight. In the tumbledown walls I could see loopholes large enough for a giant
+to creep through.
+
+</p>
+<p>The house had been rebuilt in the time of the Stadtholder William&nbsp;III.&#8212;King William&nbsp;III. of England&#8212;and the rich, solemn style
+then in vogue had been adopted. There was a sort of rotunda in the centre, kept, relatively speaking, in better repair <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb93" href="#pb93">93</a>]</span>than the rest of the building, flanked by two wings, which seemed uninhabited, and in fact so neglected as to be uninhabitable.
+Most of the panes were cracked or broken, and only in some cases had the broken glass been replaced by gray paper. The aloe-trees,
+set out to ornament the front of the house, were planted for the greater part in cracked or broken vases.
+
+</p>
+<p>As Francis had remarked, before I could follow her into the house &#8220;half the garrison turned out&#8221; to salute us in the person
+of the Captain, whom I immediately recognized from the description I had had of him. He wore a blue jacket and trousers, a
+waistcoat buttoned close up to his chin, and the military black-leather collar, which he had not yet been able to dispense
+with. The William&#8217;s Order<a class="noteref" id="xd0e1105src" href="#xd0e1105">1</a> adorned his breast; and he stood erect in spite of his stiff leg, which obliged him to support himself with a stick. He had
+placed his cap jauntily and soldier-like on one side of his head, and his entire bearing called up the idea of a military
+man only half at his ease in civilian dress. Though deep in the fifties, his hair is still jet black, and the length <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb94" href="#pb94">94</a>]</span>and stiffness of his mustachios, <i>&agrave; la Napol&eacute;on</i>, indicate a constant use of cosmetics. His face is very red, his eyes brown and bold, his features rude, and his thick red
+lips and short round chin give him a sensual appearance. He had in his mouth a long German pipe, from which he puffed clouds
+of smoke, and after a military salute he accosted us in these words&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, Major, what&#8217;s this? Have you made a prisoner? or is this some one to be quartered on us?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A visitor for the General, Captain,&#8221; replied Francis, stepping past him, and giving me a hint to follow her.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Had a deuced bad luncheon! Waited half an hour for the Freule; the eggs too hard, the beefsteak like leather, his Excellency
+out of humour&#8212;and all this because the Freule takes it into her head to ride out at inconvenient hours, and return on foot
+to the fortress leading the hero of this pretty adventure in triumph behind her,&#8221; growled the Captain, in a half-angry, half-jesting
+tone, as he followed us.
+
+</p>
+<p>Francis turning round said&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All this, Captain, is because your Major&#8212;you understand me, <i>your Major</i>&#8212;has had the pleasure of <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb95" href="#pb95">95</a>]</span>meeting with her cousin, Jonker Leopold van Zonshoven; let that suffice you, and if you have any more complaints, put them
+in your report-book.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>After this I followed Francis through the vestibule, where a servant received us with a military salute, and showed us into
+an immense drawing-room hung with embossed gilt leather. Here the General was taking a nap in a high-backed easy-chair. Francis
+entered the room softly enough, but the loud heavy step of the Captain, who thought fit to follow us, awoke the sleeper with
+a start.
+
+</p>
+<p>Instead of the <i lang="fr">pourfendeur</i> I had conjured up in my fancy from old Aunt Roselaer&#8217;s accounts, I perceived a little, thin, grey-headed old man, the traits
+of whose face showed him to be a person of superior breeding, wrapped in a very threadbare damask dressing-gown. His nose
+was long and straight, his lips thin and pale, his eyes of a soft 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 time he was speaking.
+
+</p>
+<p>Francis introduced me in her own peculiar way&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Grandfather, I bring you Jonker Leopold van <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb96" href="#pb96">96</a>]</span>Zonshoven, to whom you must give a hearty welcome, for he is a curiosity in our family.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;In our family! Jonker van Zonshoven&#8212;ah! yes, I remember, I understand,&#8221; he said, in a surprised and embarrassed tone, which
+proved his recollection to be of the vaguest; but he bowed politely, and offered me his hand, which I shook cordially.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sit down, Jonker,&#8221; he said, pointing to a chair behind which the Captain stood as if he intended to dispute the place with
+me.
+
+</p>
+<p>Francis rang the bell, and asked Fritz if the luncheon were still on the table.
+
+</p>
+<p>The servant, with a surprised look, answered&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is half-past one.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Right, Fritz. It is the rule of the house: he who is not here at roll-call is not expected. Bring a plate of cold meat and
+bread into this room.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And a glass of port-wine for the gentleman,&#8221; put in the Captain.
+
+</p>
+<p>When Fritz had left the room, the Captain came and stood straight before me, saying&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Pardon me, Jonker, I must have a good look at you. There must be something peculiar in a young <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb97" href="#pb97">97</a>]</span>man who has so quickly found favour in the eyes of our Major.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I hesitated about giving him the answer he deserved in the presence of the General; and, besides, Francis had warned me he
+was a man of no education.
+
+</p>
+<p>However, the General, speaking in a soft yet authoritative voice, said&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Rolf, there are jests which may pass amongst ourselves, but you seem to forget we are not now alone, and you are wanting
+in respect to Miss Mordaunt.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Because I call her Major in the presence of a relation of the family! Excuse me, your Excellency, but you ought to have given
+me the watchword beforehand. I shall not forget again.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is no good, grandfather,&#8221; said Francis; &#8220;at his age we cannot break him of his bad habits, though we might expect him
+to be respectful to the granddaughter of General von Zwenken, in spite of his having taught her her drill when a child. And
+now, as you have asked for the watchword of the day, Captain, attend: it is this, &#8216;Politeness to my visitor.&#8217;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>It became clear to me that the Captain had long<span class="corr" id="xd0e1173" title="Source: ,"></span> been indulged in his vulgar familiarities, and that I <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb98" href="#pb98">98</a>]</span>ought not to attach too much importance to them. As soon as Fritz brought in the port-wine he filled three glasses brimful;
+presented the first glass to me, then one to the General, and taking up his own, said in his rough, good-natured way&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The health of our commandant, and a welcome to you, Jonker!&#8221; apparently thinking this the best amends he could make.
+
+</p>
+<p>As soon as Francis had taken a slight repast she left the room, and, at a hint from the General, Rolf did the same.
+
+</p>
+<p>Now that we were left to our two selves, the General, drawing himself up with dignity in his chair, said&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A word with you, Jonker, if you please.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I bowed assent.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But be so good as to move your chair nearer to me; I am a little deaf.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I complied with his request.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Pardon me for asking you a question which may <span class="corr" id="xd0e1193" title="Source: eem">seem</span> somewhat out of place. Is this the first time you have met my granddaughter?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The first time, General;&#8221; and I rapidly sketched an account of our meeting and walk to the Castle.
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb99" href="#pb99">99</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I am glad of it,&#8221; said the old man with a sigh of relief. &#8220;My granddaughter is possessed of many excellent qualities,
+that I can truly say; but she has her peculiarities. At times she can be very brusque, and she has a foible for braving the
+laws of good society, and setting all the world at defiance, which has made her many enemies. It occurred to me she was now
+trying to make amends for some misunderstanding which had arisen between herself and you.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I assured him this was not the case, and that I felt my kindly reception to be the more flattering since Miss Mordaunt was
+not accustomed to flatter.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then explain to me,&#8221; he continued, &#8220;your relationship to the family, for, though I remember having heard of a Van Zonshoven
+who was related to my deceased wife, it is so long ago&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My grandmother, General, was a Freule van Roselaer.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She married a French nobleman, if I recollect aright?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A Belgian, General: Baron d&#8217;Hermaele.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, yes, it was during the French occupation of the country under Napoleon I.; and in those days <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb100" href="#pb100">100</a>]</span>one did not pay so much attention to nationality. Our disagreement with Freule Sophia prevented our making his acquaintance.
+He settled in Belgium, and I heard afterwards that Baron d&#8217;Hermaele stood in high favour at court in the reign of King William
+I.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;This court favour cost him his life,&#8221; I added, &#8220;for he remained faithful to his king during the Belgian Revolution; his castle
+near Larken was pillaged and burnt by the populace, and he himself cruelly murdered whilst defending his wife and children.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Another fact out of those sad and confused times which I so well remember. My men were burning with rage to punish such rebels
+and brigands, but, alas! they were kept inactive. What became of the widow and children?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She returned to Holland with one son and seven daughters, of whom the eldest married my father, Jonker van Zonshoven. I am
+their only son.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then I am your great-uncle, Jonker.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have made the same calculation, General, and it is for this reason&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You don&#8217;t come to talk to me about family <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb101" href="#pb101">101</a>]</span>affairs, I hope?&#8221; he interrupted, growing uncomfortable.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But, my dear uncle, we can speak of family affairs without their necessarily causing unpleasantness.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hum! Well, you are a Van Zonshoven, a stranger to all the pitiful feuds which have separated me from the Roselaers. Whole
+treasures have been thrown away on the lawsuits they have brought against me. Francis and I are both still suffering from
+such losses. Look here, if you bring any painful news for Francis, or any humiliating tidings for me&#8212;I know that even the
+validity of my Swiss marriage is contested&#8212;I beseech you, be generous, spare her as long as possible, for she is ignorant
+of this fact. Perhaps, old and broken though I be by trials, I can ward off the evil day a little longer; but be sincere and
+tell me plainly&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I assure you, General, my chief desire&#8212;as I have already told Miss Mordaunt&#8212;is to save you every kind of trouble I can. I
+wish simply to draw family ties closer, and my most ardent desire is that a Van Zonshoven may have the good fortune to heal
+the wounds caused by the Roselaers.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Many things are necessary! Much money! As <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb102" href="#pb102">102</a>]</span>we soldiers say, gold is the sinews of war&#8212;and, pardon me if I make a mistake, the Van Zonshovens are not rich.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You are not mistaken, General. My grandmother and her children had to live on the pension allowed the widow of Baron d&#8217;Hermaele,
+and this pension ceased with her life.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And did the king do nothing for the daughters?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What would you expect from him, uncle? The only son was promoted and rewarded, but he died in the flower of his age. It was
+impossible for the young ladies to keep William&nbsp;II. in constant recollection of their father&#8217;s loyalty. Besides, we decided
+not to petition or supplicate for favours, preferring to rely on our own energies and self-help. This principle was instilled
+into me whilst I was young.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You surprise me. But is there not a Van Zonshoven Minister for Foreign Affairs in the present Government?&#8221; asked the General.
+&#8220;He must be a rich man, I fancy. What is your relationship to him?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He is my uncle; but I esteem him little. He is married to the coffee-coloured daughter of a rich Java merchant&#8212;for her money,
+of course. She is <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb103" href="#pb103">103</a>]</span>neither intelligent, amiable, nor educated; and indeed, has got little from him in return for her money except the right to
+bear his name and title.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A pitiful <i lang="fr">m&eacute;salliance</i>, certainly! But for you the consequences are a rich and childless uncle?&#8221; he observed by way of a query.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, and he is already old. But, unfortunately, I am estranged from him, for I consider it beneath my dignity to beg favours
+from him.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>The General shook his head. &#8220;There spoke the blood of the Roselaers.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, General, the Van Zonshovens are not vindictive, but proud. Though poor, I have always prized my independence above all
+things. I have 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.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Bravo! bravissimo!&#8221; resounded in my ears from the bottom of the room; and it came from the deep, clear voice of Francis,
+who had been entering the room as I spoke these words.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You see, Jonker,&#8221; said the General, somewhat fretfully, and knitting his brows, &#8220;your style of <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb104" href="#pb104">104</a>]</span>speaking has touched my granddaughter&#8217;s weak side. Her dreams are of independence, and her illusion is to be indebted to nobody.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not my illusion, grandfather. My principle is rather to be poor and independent, and appear so; and rather to suffer privations
+and make sacrifices, than be guilty of meanness for the sake of supplying imaginary wants and desires which we ought manfully
+to resist.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>The General bit his lips, shut his eyes, and sank back in his chair, as if he had received a blow from a club; but unwilling
+to acknowledge a defeat, after a few seconds he raised himself up and said to Francis&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I allow that you far surpass me in bearing privations; but it would be well for you to learn a little self-restraint. At
+my time of life it is hard to bear reproaches. I cannot change my way of living, though I confess you deny yourself much for
+my sake.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come, come, grandfather, you know my words sound harsher than I mean them; but you cannot expect me to approve what angers
+me&#8212;such self-restraint I shall never learn.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s unfortunate,&#8221; replied the General in a <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb105" href="#pb105">105</a>]</span>bitter tone; &#8220;for what will Leopold think of us if he must listen to such reproaches at every turn.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He will think, uncle, that he is on a visit to a family which is above dissembling to deceive him, and he will esteem such
+frankness as an honour and a privilege&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well! that&#8217;s an advantage you&#8217;ll enjoy to your heart&#8217;s content, Jonker, if you stay here long,&#8221; interrupted the Captain,
+who had again entered the room. &#8220;Our Major has the praiseworthy custom of speaking her mind without respect of persons; and
+when she&#8217;s displeased, it is &#8216;parade and proceed to execution,&#8217; as we say in the courts-martial.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Had pardons not been heard of, Captain,&#8221; retorted Francis, half in jest, half in earnest, &#8220;you would have been dismissed
+the service long ere this.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That only proves my long-suffering and patience, Miss Major; you know I permit you to treat me like a corporal would a raw
+recruit. I would not bear from the Prince Field-Marshal what I have borne from you.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Captain,&#8221; said the General, who had been listening nervously, &#8220;Captain, I thought I had given you to understand that I desired
+to be <i lang="fr">en famille</i>.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb106" href="#pb106">106</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;And I, General, not guessing the conversation could be so entertaining for you, came to propose our usual remedy against
+low spirits: a game at piquet.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thank you, Captain, no cards this afternoon; I am anxious to talk to my nephew.&#8221;
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb107" href="#pb107">107</a>]</span></p>
+<div class="footnotes">
+<hr class="fnsep">
+<p class="footnote"><span class="label"><a class="noteref" href="#xd0e1105src" id="xd0e1105">1</a></span> The Victoria Cross of the Dutch.
+</p>
+</div>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e1299" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XIII.</h2>
+<p>Francis ordered Rolf off in search of her riding-whip which she had lost on the heath in the morning, making sure this would
+keep him out of the way for a time.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s no easy matter to find such a thing in the sand,&#8221; he growled, as he limped off.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But, you know, I want it very much, and if you can find it you will do me a great pleasure,&#8221; Francis called after him.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, since I need not be on <i>duty</i> with the General, I will do my best,&#8221; he answered.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You are a cruel despot,&#8221; I could not help saying to Francis. She smiled and coloured slightly.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Jonker, this is nothing!&#8221; sighed the submissive vassal; &#8220;when Miss Major was a child, you should have seen what I had
+to do and suffer.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb108" href="#pb108">108</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Just so,&#8221; replied Francis; &#8220;then you spoilt me, and hence your penance is so hard. Give me your hand, my good Rolf; I won&#8217;t
+promise you absolution, but a truce for to-day.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>The old soldier took the hand held out to him, and I saw a tear sparkle in his eye, which reconciled me to him in spite of
+his vulgar familiarities. He, ashamed of his weakness, tried to hide it from us by a prompt retreat.
+
+</p>
+<p>Almost immediately afterwards he entered the room again, and approaching Francis he said&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know I disturb you, Freule, but it is better that I come instead of Fritz. I met the driver who brought the Jonker, at
+the gate, and he wishes to know at what hour our visitor intends leaving.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Whilst hesitating about my answer, I overheard him whisper to Francis&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have passed the turkeys in review, and there is one just ready for the cook, but not to-day: I am sorry for <i lang="fr">le cher cousin</i>.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I hastened to say&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb109" href="#pb109">109</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, of course you will stay to dinner, Leopold,&#8221; said the General, eyeing Francis, who had not yet given her consent.
+
+</p>
+<p>After some hesitation she said, in a decisive tone&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We will dine early to-day; order the carriage for seven o&#8217;clock.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You shame me with such meagre hospitality,&#8221; interposed the General. &#8220;Why not invite your cousin Van Zonshoven to stay the
+night; he can leave early to-morrow morning?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sleep here, grandfather! But you don&#8217;t understand; really we are unprepared to lodge visitors.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What!&#8221; exclaimed Rolf, with <span class="corr" id="xd0e1350" title="Source: aloud">a loud</span> laugh, &#8220;we could lodge half a company.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Half your company!&#8221; Francis cried bitterly; &#8220;but you forget that Jonker van Zonshoven is accustomed to the luxuries of the
+Hague.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;To a modest chamber on the second floor, Francis; and he can sleep comfortably on a mattress of straw, if well wrapped up.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>The old man was again visibly affected, and murmured gently&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is another caprice of yours, Francis.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb110" href="#pb110">110</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;If you are determined to stay,&#8221; responded Francis, with a cold and sorrowful look at me, &#8220;I will try to find you a room where
+there are no broken panes. Come, Captain, never mind about the whip to-day; you must now act as my quartermaster. Forward,
+march;&#8221; and taking him by the arm, she led off her willing slave.
+
+</p>
+<p>When we were once more alone, the General began&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Believe me, she means well and kindly towards you; but as we don&#8217;t reckon on visitors, you have taken us by surprise, and
+that&#8217;s what vexes Francis. It is so difficult to procure anything in this out-of-the-way place.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Every lady has her faults and her little caprices,&#8221; I interposed.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, but others can hide them better under a little polish. Francis cannot understand our social laws; unfortunately she
+has not had an education suitable to her rank and station. Her own mother she never knew; and my son-in-law, Sir John Mordaunt,
+did not understand the kind of training necessary for a Dutch lady of position.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t despair, General; who knows what effect a good husband will have on her!&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb111" href="#pb111">111</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s just my difficulty, Jonker; Francis would refuse to marry any man she suspected of such intentions.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You are right, grandfather,&#8221; exclaimed Francis, who had again entered the room. &#8220;Major Frank will never give up her command
+to an 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.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>This was said half jestingly; but I replied, quite seriously, that I thought Major Frank would do wrong to refuse a good husband.
+
+</p>
+<p>Francis reddened to the roots of her hair, and then grew pale, as she answered with a forced smile&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you are not a dangerous suitor. As the General will have told you, Miss Mordaunt can only accept a very rich husband;
+and I think you have already acknowledged that the Van Zonshovens are not among the people who pay the highest amount of income-tax.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But Francis!&#8221; exclaimed the General, deprecatingly.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well now, dear papa, that&#8217;s the standard by <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb112" href="#pb112">112</a>]</span>which people are judged nowadays, and you would wish Major Frank to be sold to the highest bidder, if sold she must be. But
+come, Leopold, let me show you the grounds before dinner. Grandfather can go with us, for the wind has gone down and the sun
+come out, so that it is quite a mild spring afternoon.&#8221;
+
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb113" href="#pb113">113</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e1392" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XIV.</h2>
+<p>We directed our steps towards the back of the Castle, passing by the aviary, which had fallen into decay like its surroundings.
+The Captain had, however, turned it into a poultry-walk, and held undisputed sway 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 we came to a summer-house, whence we could obtain a splendid view of the surrounding country&#8212;a sweep of
+undulating heath as far as the eye could reach. Francis said this was her favourite place in the grounds, and that she never
+grew tired of the charming prospect; but I could see that her grandfather&#8217;s thoughts were occupied about something quite different
+from the picturesque view. All the farms in <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb114" href="#pb114">114</a>]</span>the neighbourhood, and all the woods around, formerly appertained to the lordship of the Werve; and all these ought to have
+descended intact to his granddaughter, to whom he would not leave a foot of earth.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;By the way, nephew, what has become of the six other Miss d&#8217;Hermaeles, your mother&#8217;s sisters?&#8221; asked the General, breaking
+the silence briskly.
+
+</p>
+<p>Francis burst out laughing.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Grandfather beginning to take an interest in the fate of six young ladies all at once! That&#8217;s too much! But he wishes to
+know, Leo, whether you have a chance of inheriting anything from a rich aunt,&#8221; she said, displaying a quickness of perception
+peculiar to her. &#8220;Isn&#8217;t it so, grandfather?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I hastened to answer&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Three of them died long ago; two others made good marriages, but they have children of their own; and one, Aunt Sophia, is
+maintained by the rest of the family, I contributing in proportion to my means.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Aunt Sophia,&#8221; repeated the General; &#8220;had the d&#8217;Hermaeles the foresight to make Sophia Roselaer godmother to one of their
+children?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is possible,&#8221; I answered, &#8220;but I don&#8217;t know <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb115" href="#pb115">115</a>]</span>for certain; my mother seldom talked to me about her relations.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;At any rate it appears to me she has been made heir to the property of that mischief-loving woman, Miss Roselaer,&#8221; continued
+the General; &#8220;and probably you, Leopold, were not informed of the death, nor invited to the funeral any more than ourselves?
+As far as I am concerned I expected such treatment; yet I cannot understand that she should allow her hatred to deprive the
+only granddaughter of her eldest sister of the property.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I now felt myself on dangerous ground; but Francis came to my rescue by saying, in a tone of pleasantry&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Neither did I ever expect anything from her; and yet, who knows, if I had liked&#8212;I have only seen her once in my life; and
+though as a rule people are not prepossessed in my favour at a first interview&#8221; (hereupon she gave me a malicious look), &#8220;she
+seems to have had no reason to complain of me;&#8212;in fact, if I had only cultivated the acquaintance, probably at this moment
+my name would be in her will for a good round sum.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What! you have seen the old gossip?&#8221; interrupted General von Zwenken, &#8220;and you have never <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb116" href="#pb116">116</a>]</span>told me of it. When and where have you met her?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;At the beginning of this year, when I went to Utrecht on certain business about which it is not necessary to trouble cousin
+Leopold.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She never likes to hear her good deeds spoken of,&#8221; the General murmured to me.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, it was only a simple duty I had to fulfil; I had to consult the celebrated Dr. D. about an unfortunate woman who had
+lost her reason. At his door I had an altercation with his man-servant, who wished to put me off till next day under the pretext
+that the hour for consultation was passed, and that his master was taking his luncheon with visitors. However, I insisted
+upon his taking in my card, and finally I obtained admission to the dining-room. Dr. D. politely invited me to take luncheon
+with them, and introduced me to two elderly ladies, one his sister, and the other his sister&#8217;s friend. As I was very hungry,
+I accepted without ceremony. I was soon sensible that his sister&#8217;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 <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb117" href="#pb117">117</a>]</span>unsparing severity. This was just to my taste, and excited me to the contest, till, from repartee to repartee, we got almost
+to a dispute. It was my great-aunt Sophia in person, as I afterwards learnt; and just fancy her 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! I simply answered:
+&#8216;I had heard her spoken of; that there had been quarrels between her and my relations, but that I did not think it fair, on
+my part, to attack her behind her back in the presence of strangers.&#8217; She answered that she approved of my conduct. The doctor,
+who had for some time been appearing ill at ease, now invited me to go to his surgery. After the consultation I met the old
+lady in the passage; she invited me to accompany her as far as the house of a friend, where her carriage would await her.
+I consented, but now I was on my guard, as I knew who she was; and when she invited me to spend a day with her I declined&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was imprudent and impolite,&#8221; interrupted the General.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was acting in conformity with the spirit of all <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb118" href="#pb118">118</a>]</span>your dealings with her, grandfather. I said I could not spend a single hour longer in Utrecht than business demanded. Before
+she could say more, a band of students, of that class better known outside the lecture-room than inside, began to form a circle
+round us, and treat us to a piece of by no means flattering criticism as to the style of our dress. It is true I was negligently
+dressed, far behind the fashions; and aunt&#8217;s bonnet and shawl gave her much of the appearance of a caricature. I felt my blood
+boil, and yet I retained sufficient calmness to tell these seedling lawyers, authors, and clergymen they ought to be ashamed
+of themselves, as their conduct was worse even than that of street Arabs. My words took effect; one or two dropped off in
+silence, others stepped aside, and one of them even attempted to stammer out an apology. We were near the house of lawyer
+Van Beek, where Miss Roselaer was going; and as we took leave of each other she warmly pressed my hand, thanking me for my
+protection and presence of mind, but added that &#8216;such conduct was scarcely ladylike in the public streets.&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It might have been more becoming to swoon, but <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb119" href="#pb119">119</a>]</span>such farces are not in keeping with the character of Major Frank.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If I had known the story would amuse you so much, grandfather, I would have told it you three months ago; but I was afraid
+it would be disagreeable to you to hear I had seen Aunt Sophia.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And you have never since heard a word of Miss Roselaer?&#8221; demanded Von Zwenken, fretfully.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; but I have reason to suppose she wished to oblige me. I had to make arrangements at Utrecht for the proper nursing of
+my poor patient. The most important point was the money, and at the time I had very little; but the same evening I received
+a letter from Dr. D., informing me a rich friend, who desired to remain unknown, had promised to pay all the expenses. So
+here you have my reasons for surprise that Aunt Sophia should have included me in hatred of the family; for the rich unknown
+friend could be no other than herself.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>The General muttered between his teeth&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, from that woman you might expect anything!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>To me this account was as a ray of light. Aunt had changed her will, after this incident, in favour <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb120" href="#pb120">120</a>]</span>of Francis, and not, it was clear, for purposes of revenge. Now I felt more bound than ever to win the love of Francis, and
+to marry her; and I confess my inclinations were tending in that direction. Her straightforward, upright character, her original
+and piquant style of beauty, were already beginning to act like a charm upon me; still it would be well not to precipitate
+matters, and I controlled a desire which came over me to demand her hand on the spot. There were also mysterious events in
+her past life which required clearing up. Besides, I had to consider how it would be possible to change her aversion from
+marriage, the male sex, and social life in general. And I was convinced if she once pronounced the fatal word &#8220;No,&#8221; my suit
+was hopeless.
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb121" href="#pb121">121</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e1458" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XV.</h2>
+<p>Fritz, who came up at a trot, after the usual military salute to Francis, interrupted our further conversation. He addressed
+her in the following words&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Freule, the Captain sends to inquire if you have thought of the sauce for the pudding, and if you will let him have the key
+to the pantry?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Turning to me she said&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Excuse me, Leo&#8212;duty first and pleasure afterwards; my worthy adjutant reminds me I have duties in the kitchen.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>In a moment she had tripped away out of sight, and the General, rising, said&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I must also go and dress, for I never dine in my dressing-gown.&#8221; Then calling to Fritz, he said, &#8220;Show the Jonker to his
+room, if it is ready.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb122" href="#pb122">122</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Certainly, General; I have taken up his bag.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;So you have brought a travelling-bag?&#8221; asked the General, with a smile, and giving me an inquiring look.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What shall I say, uncle; did I take too great a liberty in reckoning on an invitation for a few days?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Certainly not, my boy!&#8221; he replied frankly; &#8220;a change is very welcome to me&#8212;only try to make it all right with Francis.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Fritz led the way up a broad oaken staircase to the first floor of the left wing, the very one which had struck me as the
+least habitable. I was shown into a large room that had once been well furnished, but which now appeared rather sombre, as
+all the shutters were closed except one, and this was only left ajar. I asked Fritz to open them, telling him I was fond of
+plenty of light.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sir, Freule gave me orders to keep the shutters closed, otherwise there would be too much light, for there are no blinds.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind, man; open them for me.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, but there will be a draught; we never have guests, and therefore the broken window-panes have been neglected, and there
+is no glazier in the village.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb123" href="#pb123">123</a>]</span></p>
+<p>I dismissed the good fellow, whose fidelity to his mistress was evinced by his reticence.
+
+</p>
+<p>When I had opened one shutter entirely so as to obtain sufficient light, I found the room contained a large old-fashioned
+bedstead, with red silk hangings; a splendid couch, the covering of which was torn in several places and the horse-hair peeping
+out&#8212;then, even worse, I found it had lost a leg; moreover, there was not a chair in the room I dared seat myself on without
+the fear of coming to grief.
+
+</p>
+<p>In the middle of the room was a marble-topped table, standing on its three gilt bear-paws; but it was cracked in several places,
+and the mosaic star in the centre had almost disappeared piece by piece. A simple modern washstand, of grey painted wood with
+light green borders, had been placed just under an oval rococo mirror, and formed a striking contrast to these neglected antiquities.
+
+</p>
+<p>From my window I was enjoying a view of the beautiful country of Guelderland, and forming plans for the renovation and embellishment
+of the fallen greatness around&#8212;always provided Francis consented&#8212;when I heard the second dinner-bell, and hastened downstairs,
+having been warned that the General still kept up his military habits of punctuality.
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb124" href="#pb124">124</a>]</span></p>
+<p>I was very curious to see whether Francis had dressed for dinner, how she looked, &amp;c. But, alas! my hopes were disappointed.
+Her beautiful hair was loosely confined in a silk net, which seemed scarcely capable of sustaining its weight. She had not
+changed her dress, and had only thrown over her shoulders a small faded shawl, which served to hide the white and slender
+form of her neck. She perceived my disappointment; in fact, her beautiful eyes regarded me with an air that seemed to say&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Make up your mind that I am totally indifferent as to the impression I may produce on you.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Otherwise she performed her part as hostess with exemplary zeal and great ability. She served the soup, carved the meat, and
+even changed the plates herself&#8212;as Fritz seemed to consider his duty done when he had placed the things on the sideboard.
+To my great surprise, the dinner was abundant and even <i lang="fr">recherch&eacute;</i>.
+
+</p>
+<p>After the soup, which was excellent, roast beef with choice preserved vegetables was served up&#8212;&#8220;surrogate of the <i lang="fr">primeurs</i>,&#8221; as the General expressed himself; then partridges in aspic and a <i>poulet au riz</i>, <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb125" href="#pb125">125</a>]</span>followed by young cabbages with baked eels, which, the Captain said playfully, had only gone into his net for my sake. As
+<i lang="fr">plat doux</i>, we had a pudding with the wonderful sauce Francis had been called into the kitchen to make; and to wind up, a complete dessert.
+It was difficult for me to reconcile all this with the idea of people living in straitened circumstances.
+
+</p>
+<p>The different kinds of wine, furnished in over-great abundance and variety by the Captain, who acted as butler, completed
+the luxuries of the table. The wines were of the best brands, and my host and his aide-de-camp took care to call my attention
+to them. My habits of abstinence obliged me to exercise great moderation, and I could plainly see that they were disappointed
+at my want of enthusiasm.
+
+</p>
+<p>Neither the crockery nor the table-linen was in keeping with the luxury of the courses. The former was French china, dating
+from the same period as the furniture and the golden leather tapestries, and had evidently suffered a good deal from rough
+usage and servants. It was cracked, riveted, incomplete; and modern blue ware had been purchased to supply deficiencies, thus
+enhancing its splendour and emphasizing the contrast. The large damask tablecloth, <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb126" href="#pb126">126</a>]</span>that represented the marriage of a Spanish Infanta, had certainly done duty when Aunt Sophia ruled as mistress of the establishment.
+It was exceedingly fine but worn, and the rents had not always been neatly darned. As for the silver, the speed with which
+Francis sent the forks and spoons to the kitchen and ordered them back, proved to me that the dozens were not 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&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I do not attach much value to such things. Many a time during the campaign I have drunk beer out of a milk-pail, and champagne
+out of teacups; and I did not enjoy it the less for that.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Provided the cups were not too small,&#8221; interrupted Francis.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But the General,&#8221; continued Rolf, without noticing the remark, &#8220;the General would rather go without Yquem than drink it out
+of a common glass; and as our Major (I mean Freule, the commander-in-chief) always manifests the greatest indifference in
+this respect, I have charged myself with the care of the General&#8217;s wine-cellar.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb127" href="#pb127">127</a>]</span></p>
+<p>I neither liked nor approved the tone of the Captain&#8217;s observations; but Von Zwenken said nothing. Francis did not, however,
+fail to retaliate in her vehement way.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Fie, Captain!&#8221; she interrupted. &#8220;Are you afraid Jonker van Zonshoven will not observe how great your merits as quartermaster
+are? If every one in this house would follow my <i lang="fr">r&eacute;gime</i>, and drink clear spring-water, your zeal and care for the wine-cellar would be superfluous.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I had already noticed that she drank nothing but water. The General now came to the Captain&#8217;s aid with a French expression:
+&#8220;<span lang="fr">Le luxe, c&#8217;est le n&eacute;cessaire.</span>&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>He had drunk a good deal, and his pale cheeks were growing rosy. Francis rang for Fritz to hand round cigars to the gentlemen,
+and then retired to the drawing-room in spite of the furious looks of her grandfather. As the door was open, I could follow
+her movements in the large mirror which faced me. I saw her throw herself on the sofa, wring her hands, and bite her lips
+as if to suppress her sobs. The General soon dozed off, and the Captain applied himself to the cognac bottle, as he said it
+was necessary <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb128" href="#pb128">128</a>]</span>to warm up his stomach after eating cold fruit; so I walked over towards the drawing-room, trying to hide my cigar. Francis
+was disconcerted at being surprised in her disconsolate mood; but she composed herself, and said, with an attempt at a smile&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You may smoke here, cousin, if you wish to have a talk with me.&#8221;
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb129" href="#pb129">129</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e1554" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XVI.</h2>
+<p>&#8220;I am not in the habit of smoking in the presence of&#8212;&#8212;&#8221; (I had almost said ladies).
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nonsense! I am not so fastidious; and you know that quite well. Shall I make you some coffee? The gentlemen yonder do not
+take any; they smoke and drink till&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I interrupted her with&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I want nothing but to talk confidentially with you for a quarter of an hour. Will you grant me that favour?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Certainly; take the easy-chair and sit down opposite; that is the best position for a talk.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I obeyed, and she began&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Tell me, first of all, do you now understand why I do not like receiving company?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps. I venture to suppose that you wish <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb130" href="#pb130">130</a>]</span>to simplify the way of living, and that the gentlemen do not approve of it. And visitors cause expense.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, indeed, it <i>is</i> clever of you to guess after what you have just seen!&#8221; and she laughed a merry laugh. &#8220;I see I must explain matters. But
+let us talk about yourself, Leopold; that will change the current of my thoughts&#8212;and they want changing in my present state
+of mind. You see there my constant and daily society,&#8221; she continued, looking towards the dining-room. &#8220;They have now reached
+the topmost point of their enjoyment&#8212;the General asleep with a cigar in his mouth, and the Captain absorbing his <i>quantum</i> of cognac. Afterwards he will fill his German pipe, totter off to the billiard-room, and smoke and sleep till tea-time. Come,
+now, as we have a full hour before us, confess yourself. Why have you not studied for a barrister?&#8221; And she fixed her large
+eyes on me as if she suspected that I had been rusticated.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Simply because my good father died too soon.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A good father always dies too soon. Even a bad one who neglects his child is a great loss. Yours left nothing?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Except a widow with a very small pension&#8212;too <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb131" href="#pb131">131</a>]</span>small to maintain me at Leyden, and therefore I left after one year&#8217;s residence, as I wished to earn my own living and obtain
+comforts for my mother, who was in very weak health.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I admire you for that, Leo; a man who is not selfish, and can make sacrifices for his mother or his wife&#8217;s sake, is a rarity.
+It does me good to hear such men still exist.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, Francis, give me your confidence. Perhaps I can assist you in your troubles.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t attempt the impossible, Leopold,&#8221; she replied in a tone of profound sadness. &#8220;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 have often been in others, one deception more
+or less cannot make much difference in the grand total. When my grandfather had obtained his pension we came to the Werve,
+as it was urgently necessary for us to economize. His rank as commandant in a small fortified town had necessitated our living
+in grand style. He had to invite the mayor and other dignitaries to his table, as well as his own lieutenants; and let me
+acknowledge we had both got into the habit of living in abundance <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb132" href="#pb132">132</a>]</span>and of being very hospitable; consequently we had nearly always an open table. Owing to many events and painful family circumstances,
+our fortune with the last few years has shrunk so visibly that it was impossible to continue our old style of living. And
+grandpapa at last saw things as I did. We retired to the Werve; we did not want company, and we severed ourselves from all
+parasites at one stroke.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I counted on the kitchen garden, the orchard, and the home farm (which in those days still belonged to the Werve) providing
+for all our wants; and I cherished a secret hope of saving money, so as one day to make some repairs and raise this castle
+from its state of decay.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;At first everything went on tolerably well. We came in the summer-time. We both needed rest; the splendid and varied scenery
+enticed us out on long rides and drives; in fact, everything combined to make us enjoy our solitude. But, alas! the autumn
+came with its long evenings and chilly days; the General suffered from rheumatism and could not mount his horse. Then weariness
+overmastered him like a plague, and I tried music and <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb133" href="#pb133">133</a>]</span>reading in vain. He is not fond of music, and he does not care for reading. He cannot bear to see me with a book in my hand,
+unless it be an illustrated book to ornament the drawing-room table. When I had read the paper there was nothing more to say.
+I played dominoes with him and <i lang="fr">piquet-&agrave;-deux</i>. I could hardly do it any longer; but he never had enough of it. He grew fidgetty and melancholy, began to languish, and
+was less and less satisfied with our simple way of living. I could not bear to see him so cast down, without the means of
+helping him. Just about this time one of his former comrades, who had also obtained his pension, invited grandfather to visit
+him in Arnheim. I thought it would be a nice change, and encouraged him to go. He was quite happy and quite at his ease there,
+and stayed the three winter months.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And you?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I stayed at home. They had forgotten to invite me; and when they thought of it, it seemed to me such a formal invitation
+that I made up my mind to decline it, as I had before reflected it would save a great deal of expense in ball dresses and
+other <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb134" href="#pb134">134</a>]</span>ways of squandering money which such visits necessarily bring with them.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yet, even here, a little attention to dress would not be out of place,&#8221; I interposed, seizing the opportunity to tell her
+my opinion on the subject.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, it does not matter for me. I can speak as a certain French woman <i lang="fr">du temps que j&#8217;&eacute;tais femme</i>. That time&#8217;s past; what does it matter how Major Frank dresses?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Major Frank,&#8221; I replied, &#8220;should wear a uniform suitable to her rank and the position in which she finds herself. That is
+no coquetry, it is only decency&#8212;seemliness.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But, Leopold,&#8221; she cried, feverishly beating the devil&#8217;s tattoo with her little foot, &#8220;since I have been here I have bought
+nothing new, and part of my wardrobe I have given away to the daughter of a poor officer, 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. But don&#8217;t trouble me with any more
+of your silly remarks about dress; let me continue.
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb135" href="#pb135">135</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;My grandfather returned from Arnheim, cured of his melancholy and more deeply in debt than ever. His stay, even with a friend,
+had cost him much money in dress. He had had to order a new general&#8217;s uniform, as he could not go into society in that of
+a colonel; then there were fees to servants; and, worst of all, that abominable high play which is the curse of our nation.
+In short, on his return he was obliged to sell the home-farm, and even this did not bring in sufficient money to satisfy his
+creditors. This time my grandfather solemnly vowed he would never enter society again, and he has kept his word; but he soon
+fell into a black melancholy, from which he is only just recovering.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Rolf, a brave soldier, but one who, in spite of his merits, would never have obtained the rank of officer without grandpapa&#8217;s
+protection, called upon us. He was a sort of servant in the house before I was born, making himself generally useful as only
+soldiers can. His sister was my nurse, my mother having died soon after I came into the world. Unfortunately, she had neither
+education nor character to fit her for the task. With the best intentions, she thoroughly spoilt me, a work in which she was
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb136" href="#pb136">136</a>]</span>assisted by her brother, Sergeant Rolf, who would sooner have thought of disobeying his colonel than of opposing any caprice
+of his &#8216;little Major,&#8217; as he already called me. Well, when he got his pension as captain he stayed here a few days, and his
+company seemed to be a welcome change to grandfather; and perceiving that a third person would be an agreeable addition to
+our society, I proposed to him to take up his quarters here, as he could live on his pension in one place as well as another.
+My proposition was eagerly accepted, and I took the command, as he expresses it, whilst he did his best to cheer up the General,
+and the winter has passed less monotonously than I anticipated.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Meantime Rolf has inherited some property in North Brabant, and now he insists upon paying his quota towards the housekeeping
+expenses, to which I have consented for the General&#8217;s sake, because he is so fond of delicacies. But you don&#8217;t know how I
+suffer when I see them rivalling each other in the pleasures of the table, and think of the humiliation and abasement of my
+grandfather&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Fritz entered with the lamp, and asked if Freule had not rung for the tea. The General and the <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb137" href="#pb137">137</a>]</span>Captain followed. The conversation languished over the tea-table, and Francis became silent; when suddenly the Captain exclaimed,
+pointing to her hair&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah, the lioness shakes her mane to frighten us!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s true,&#8221; she answered coolly; &#8220;excuse me, gentlemen.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>And away she went to her own room.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is curious how Francis has these attacks of <i>nonchalance</i>,&#8221; muttered the General.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And just now, when we have a visitor whom she herself brought,&#8221; assented the Captain.
+
+</p>
+<p>But to change the subject the General proposed a game at cards.
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb138" href="#pb138">138</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e1654" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XVII.</h2>
+<p>The Captain arranged the card-table, whilst Fritz removed the tea-things. We took our seats, and the General, as I thought,
+fixed the counters tolerably high.
+
+</p>
+<p>The old man seemed to undergo a thorough change the moment he held the cards in his hand. His dull, sleepy eyes brightened
+with intelligence and sparkled with enthusiasm. Every limb moved; the tips of his fingers trembled, and yet they still held
+the cards firmly whilst he examined them to calculate, with mathematical precision, what was wanting in ours. His pale cheeks
+flushed a deep red, his nostrils expanded or contracted according to the chances of the game; and the melancholy man, who
+usually sat with his head bowed down as though overburdened, was of a sudden seized by a spirit of audacity, of rashness,
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb139" href="#pb139">139</a>]</span>of foolhardiness, that not seldom gained him splendid success, and reminded me of the saying, &#8220;Good luck is with the rash
+man.&#8221; It certainly is with the audacious player.
+
+</p>
+<p>As for myself I made many blunders, which greatly amused my companions. I had already lost a considerable sum, when the door
+opened and Francis appeared in evening costume.
+
+</p>
+<p>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 the Captain cried&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Our Major in full dress.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What strange whim is this?&#8221; growled the General, with difficulty suppressing his anger, for he had an excellent hand of cards
+this time. &#8220;The whole day you have gone about like a Cinderella, and now&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The fairy has come, and I appear as a princess,&#8221; replied Francis.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And the famous glass slipper is not wanting,&#8221; I said, admiring the beautiful little slippers peeping out from under her dress.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps; but I will take care not to lose it.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why not?&#8221; I asked, looking fixedly at her.
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb140" href="#pb140">140</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Because I will not make the romance of an hour a question for life.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All you are saying to Francis may be very gallant and witty, nephew,&#8221; cried the General, &#8220;but it is not polite to leave the
+card-table in the midst of a game.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If the Freule would join us we could play quadrille,&#8221; said Rolf.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thanks, Captain, I prefer playing the piano, if it does not disturb you.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Her playing was like herself, fantastic and <i>bizarre</i>; gradually, however, it became sweet and melancholy, and moved me almost to tears. My thoughts were with the music, and I
+lost every game afterwards. The General was furious, and let me perceive it. I was about to pay my debt, when Francis entered
+precipitately, and said in a decided tone&#8212;so decided, indeed, as to displease me&#8212;that I should not pay. I answered in the
+same tone, and to cut short all arguments I placed the money on the table. She then tried to snatch out of Rolf&#8217;s hand the
+note I had given him. I told her I thought her interference very unbecoming.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, very well; it&#8217;s all the same to me if you wish to be plundered.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb141" href="#pb141">141</a>]</span></p>
+<p>And with this she returned to the piano; whilst the General, who seemed to gloat over his gains, remained silent during this
+little scene. It gave me a painful insight into his character. I pitied the old man, who played not for amusement but for
+the sake of money, and would take it in large or small sums from a poor relation or a richer man.
+
+</p>
+<p>But at the same time, as I went to join Francis at the piano, I thought my money well spent in discovering the General&#8217;s weakness,
+which had so influenced his granddaughter&#8217;s past life.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Will you play?&#8221; she asked, brusquely.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t feel disposed.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;As you like,&#8221; she said, turning to the instrument and striking the keys as if she would break them.
+
+</p>
+<p>I took up an old newspaper and pretended to be reading it.
+
+</p>
+<p>In the end she played a prelude, and then began the air of Bettly in the <i>ch&acirc;let</i>&#8212;
+
+
+</p>
+<div class="&#xA; poem&#xA; " lang="fr">
+<p class="line" style="text-indent: 4em; "><span>Libert&eacute; ch&eacute;rie,
+</span></p>
+<p class="line" style="text-indent: 4em; "><span>Seul bien de la vie,
+</span></p>
+<p class="line" style="text-indent: 4em; "><span>R&egrave;gne toujours l&agrave;!
+</span></p>
+<p class="line" style=""><span>Tra la, la, la, tra la, la, la!
+</span></p>
+<p class="line" style=""><span>Tant pis pour qui s&#8217;en f&acirc;chera!</span></p>
+</div><span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb142" href="#pb142">142</a>]</span><p>I threw aside the paper, and, approaching the piano, I whispered&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you remember how this charming little opera ends?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Certainly, like all other pieces suitable for the theatre; but in real life it is just the contrary, and I like reality.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Fritz came to announce supper. The gentlemen were cheerful, the Captain noisy and jovial; Francis only gave short and dry
+answers, and showed me her ill-humour by only giving me the tips of her fingers when she wished us all good-night.
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb143" href="#pb143">143</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e1734" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XVIII.</h2>
+<p>Unromantic though it may sound, I must confess to having slept well on the first night I spent under the roof of my mother&#8217;s
+ancestors. Sleep surprised me whilst I was reflecting on the strange and incomprehensible character of Francis. Proud, generous,
+noble-hearted, quick-witted, beautiful&#8212;and yet with all her charms (which I could feel had already begun to work upon me)
+spoilt by a detestable education, by the manners of a sutler and a rudeness of the worst kind. And then, in addition to all
+this, there was the question of her past life which I had heard painted in such black colours. It seemed doubtful whether
+Major Frank could ever become Lady Francis van Zonshoven.
+
+</p>
+<p>When I awoke the sun was streaming through the one window whose shutters I had purposely left open, with the intention of
+taking an early morning <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb144" href="#pb144">144</a>]</span>walk. I crept silently down the stairs so as not to awake anybody, but I met Fritz in the vestibule, and he made his military
+salute in silence. The hall door was wide open. I took the direction of the home-farm, where I hoped to obtain a glass of
+new milk, and draw the tenants out a little about the inhabitants of the Castle&#8212;one in particular.
+
+</p>
+<p>I had not gone very far before whom should I see coming from the farm but Francis herself, with a basket of fresh eggs.
+
+</p>
+<p>After a moment&#8217;s hesitation I asked&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Are we again good friends?&#8221; For I had an idea she would have taken another path if she had seen me a little sooner.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I never knew we had ceased to be so,&#8221; she answered, colouring a little.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hem! Towards the close of the evening, in spite of what you may say to the contrary.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, rather, in spite of myself. Believe me, Leo, I was not morose out of caprice; I was troubled and anxious. I saw my manner
+displeased you, but I was afraid that to flatter grandfather&#8217;s weakness you were suffering yourself to become his dupe.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb145" href="#pb145">145</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;And even in that case I could not permit you to interfere.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You had told me you were poor, that you must economize, and then to squander your money in such a way in our house&#8212;it seemed
+to me like card-sharping.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, no; nothing of the sort. But supposing it had been, you have tact enough to understand that it was beneath my dignity
+to take the money back.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s true, I am of your opinion; but I warned you beforehand that my manners were bad.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think it less a question of bad manners than a certain arrogance, a certain despotism&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, then, pardon the arrogance, the despotism,&#8221; she said jestingly; &#8220;still, if I confess you were in the right and that
+I deserve correction, will you on your part acknowledge that you are making somewhat too much ado about a little mistake?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But you, who are so proud, how can you suppose that a man will consent to be protected by a woman?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Again you are right, Leopold; such a man would be like so many others I know.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb146" href="#pb146">146</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Pardon me, Francis; our friendship is like a tender plant, and we must cultivate it so as to prevent its taking a crooked
+turn.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If you regard our friendship in such a serious light,&#8221; she resumed, whilst a slight blush suffused her cheeks, &#8220;I will capitulate
+on condition that our little quarrel of last night be forgotten and forgiven.<span class="corr" id="xd0e1777" title="Source: &#8217;">&#8221;</span>
+
+</p>
+<p>I felt myself under the charm again, and seizing her hand in a transport of joy, I covered it with kisses.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Leo, what are you doing?&#8221; she cried, pale and with tears in her eyes.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sealing the bond of our friendship.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Leo, Leo! you know not what you do,&#8221; she said softly; &#8220;you forget to whom you are speaking&#8212;I am Major Frank.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I will have no more of Major Frank; my cousin Francis Mordaunt must suffer me to offer her my arm.&#8221; And taking her hand again,
+I gently drew her arm within mine. She submitted in silence, with a singular expression of dejection on her face.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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?&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb147" href="#pb147">147</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;To the farm yonder; I see you have been there already for eggs; let me carry the basket for you.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, thank you. I had not reckoned on the eggs, but the good people insisted upon my taking them; I went to see a patient.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A patient! Do you play the doctor?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I do a little of everything; but the patient in question is a dog, a dear, faithful creature, my poor &#8216;Veldher,&#8217; who has
+broken his leg, and will suffer no one to touch him but myself. Another trouble I have brought on myself; and yet, if the
+others could be remedied as easily!&#8221; she said, with a profound sigh.
+
+</p>
+<p>She became pale as death, her lips quivered, and, withdrawing her arm from mine, she stood still, covering her face with her
+hands as if she would force back the tears already rolling down her cheeks. I remained by her side, and after a pause I said,
+with gentle earnestness&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Tell me what has happened, Francis; it will be a relief to you and ease your mind.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes,&#8221; she resumed, calmly, &#8220;I must confide my sufferings to some one, but not now. I will not spoil our morning walk by calling
+up such a frightful scene. I can myself scarcely understand how it is <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb148" href="#pb148">148</a>]</span>possible that I, who cannot bear to see dumb creatures suffer, have to reproach myself with the death of one of my fellow-men.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I beseech you to tell me all, trusting in me for my sincerest sympathy.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not now,&#8221; she cried; &#8220;what good would it do? It would only embitter the few minutes we have to spend together.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;May I help you with a word it seems to cost you trouble to pronounce? Is it not a certain unfortunate incident with regard
+to your coachman?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just so, that&#8217;s it,&#8221; she replied, assuming her defiant and bitter tone. &#8220;If you wish to know more about it, ask the people
+at the farm&#8212;they know all the particulars.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I shall take good care not to go making inquiries into your secrets behind your back, Francis.<span class="corr" id="xd0e1819" title="Source: &#8217;">&#8221;</span>
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My secrets!&#8221; she exclaimed, her voice quivering with indignation. &#8220;There is no secret in the matter. It is a question of
+a dreadful accident, which happened on the public high-road in the presence of a crowd of spectators attracted by the noise;
+but the occasion was not lost to set public opinion against me. Was it not Major Frank, who <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb149" href="#pb149">149</a>]</span>never acted like anybody else&#8212;Major Frank the outlaw! It would have been a pity to let such an opportunity of blackening her
+character pass. I ought to have reflected that you would have heard the story; and very likely you are come here &#8216;to interview&#8217;
+the heroine of such a romantic adventure. It would be a pity you should lose your pains. There&#8217;s the farm&#8212;go straight on and
+ask the people to tell you all about the affair between Major Frank and her coachman Harry Blount; both the man and his wife
+were witnesses. And, Jonker van Zonshoven, when they have satisfied you, you may return to the Werve to take your leave, and
+return as you came.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>And off she ran, without giving me time to answer, leaving me in a state of terrible confusion.
+
+</p>
+<p>One thing at last seemed clear to me; I had lost her for ever. Should I follow and overtake her? She appeared resolute to
+tell me no more. Yet I must know more! I could neither stay at the Werve nor go away until my doubts were cleared up.
+
+</p>
+<p>I went on to the farm, and was soon served with a glass of milk. The farmer&#8217;s wife seemed to know <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb150" href="#pb150">150</a>]</span>all about my visit, and thought it quite natural for the Freule to send me there for a glass of new milk. She was loud in
+her praises of the Freule, said her equal was not to be found in the whole aristocracy, &#8220;so familiar and kind-hearted, but
+at times flighty, and then she goes off like a locomotive&#8221;&#8212;she pronounced it &#8220;<i>leukemetief</i>.&#8221; But it would be impossible for me to reproduce her Guelders dialect; and, to confess a truth, I had myself sometimes great
+difficulty in understanding her.
+
+</p>
+<p>She showed me the farm and the dog, a splendid brown pointer who allowed me to stroke him, probably for his mistress&#8217; sake.
+Once the good farmer&#8217;s wife had loosened her tongue, she rattled away with great volubility&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, she was sorry the General was no longer their landlord; but Overberg was not a bad fellow&#8212;he had made many repairs,
+and even promised to build a new barn which the General would never consent to. It was a pity for the man! A good gentleman,
+but he took no interest in farming; the whole place must have gone to wrack and ruin if the General had not agreed to sell
+it before it was too late. The Freule was sorry, for she liked farming; <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb151" href="#pb151">151</a>]</span>she had learned to milk, and talked to the cows just as if they were human beings. And horses&#8212;yes, Jonker, even the plough
+horses, before they go out into the field in the morning, she talks to them. My husband was groom to her grandfather, in his
+youth; I think I can see the greys she used to drive with so much pride, and Blount the coachman at her side, as proud as
+a king, with his arms folded, and looking as if the team belonged to him. Oh dear, yes! And now all that grandeur has disappeared.
+The beautiful carriage-horses are sold, and the Freule has only her English horse which my husband stables and grooms for
+her. What a sin and shame it is when the gentry fall into such decay! And the family used to be the greatest in these parts,
+and good to their tenants. My parents and grandparents always lived on the estate; but oh, oh! since the marriage of the eldest
+Freule Roselaer, they have never prospered. What can I say? &#8216;A house divided against itself cannot stand,&#8217; as the Scriptures
+tell us. The Jonker has certainly heard of all these things?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Enough, Mrs. Pauwelsen, more than enough,&#8221; I responded, for the good woman&#8217;s chatter was <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb152" href="#pb152">152</a>]</span>becoming insupportable. I hastily took my leave of her and arrived just in time for breakfast; in fact, I was in the breakfast-parlour
+before either the Captain or the General. Francis was alone, but when she saw me she left the room under the pretext of seeing
+if the tea-water boiled.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Stay, Francis&#8212;I think I have a right to a kinder reception.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;On what do you ground your right? Have you now satisfied your curiosity?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know nothing, Francis; I asked no questions.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Asked nothing! on your word of honour?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have not asked <i>two</i> words, Francis. I did not ask, because I did not want to hear anything.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Forsooth! You have shown more self-control than I thought a man capable of.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Are the women so much our superiors in this respect?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If it be necessary, we can keep quiet.&#8221;
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb153" href="#pb153">153</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e1867" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XIX.</h2>
+<p>The Captain made his appearance, and put an end to our conversation, without for a moment being aware how unwelcome his presence
+was to me. I could scarcely give a civil answer to his question&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Slept well, Jonker?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>He went on, however, in his jovial tone&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The General will be here directly.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>And, indeed, the General&#8217;s entrance followed like an echo to the words, and the breakfast began.
+
+</p>
+<p>Francis was silent and preoccupied&#8212;yet she gave me a look as if she regretted her want of confidence in me&#8212;making all sorts
+of mistakes. The General&#8217;s tea was sweetened twice over, and the Captain found he had no sugar in his, a defect which he remedied
+as furtively as possible, whispering to me&#8212;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb154" href="#pb154">154</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Our Major&#8217;s got out on the wrong side of the bed this morning. We must take care, or the orders of the day will be severe.
+She&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But Francis! What&#8217;s the matter with you today; the eggs are too hard,&#8221; growled the General.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What a pity, just when we have a visitor,&#8221; sighed the Captain; &#8220;otherwise they are boiled to perfection.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;By the way, Leopold, what hour is your carriage ordered for?&#8221; interposed the General.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, uncle, I left it to the Captain,&#8221; was my reply.
+
+</p>
+<p>As we spoke a carriage drove up, and Francis rose from the table to look out of the window.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is indeed too early,&#8221; said the General, reproachfully, to Rolf.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wait a moment, Excellency,&#8221; replied Rolf, with a roguish twinkle of the eye; and he walked over to the window where Francis
+stood. Then with a loud laugh he said, &#8220;The Jonker left the matter in my hands, and perceiving he would like to stay a little
+longer with us, I simply sent off to Zutphen for his luggage.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>It was now my turn to speak, and I asked <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb155" href="#pb155">155</a>]</span>Francis if she would keep me there a few days longer. Her answer, however, was in the negative.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Leave at once; it is better for both of us.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>In the meantime the Captain, like a worthy major-domo, had not only assisted in bringing in my box, but also a number of packages,
+bottles, tins, &amp;c., which he spread over the table, and clapping the General on the shoulder, as he said&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, what says your Excellency; have I not made a splendid foraging party?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No more of your &#8216;Excellency&#8217; and insolent nonsense,&#8221; burst out Francis, her eyes striking fire and her cheeks burning with
+rage. &#8220;You clearly forget, you d&#8212;&#8212;d rascal, that you are an inferior; otherwise you would not dare to act like this. Bless
+my soul, what a foolish throwing away of money is this&#8212;<i lang="fr">perdrix rouges, p&acirc;t&eacute;-de-foie-gras</i>, all kinds of fish in jelly, all kinds of preserved fruit. Why, it looks as if you were going to start a business here. Why
+have you brought all these useless dainties again?&#8221; And she struck the table with her clenched fist till the pots and bottles
+danced again. &#8220;The General ought to turn you out of doors; and he would if his tongue and sense of honour had not grown dull.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb156" href="#pb156">156</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Francis, Francis!&#8221; murmured Von Zwenken in a pitiful tone.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, grandfather,&#8221; she continued, more loudly and rudely, &#8220;it is a shame, and if you had the least fortitude left you would
+put a stop to such extravagance.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Major, Major!&#8221; interposed Rolf, deprecatingly.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Silence, you miserable epicure&#8212;I am no longer your major; I have had enough of your quasi-pleasantry. If I had my will all
+this should be changed. But I have lost my authority; you let me talk&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Scream, you mean,&#8221; corrected Von Zwenken, with a quivering voice.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And you go on just the same,&#8221; resumed Francis, pitching her voice still higher. &#8220;But I will not suffer you to take such liberties
+any longer; and if grandfather does not call you to order, I will myself put you out of doors, and all your delicacies with
+you.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;For heaven&#8217;s sake, Francis, calm yourself,&#8221; said Von Zwenken; &#8220;remember that Jonker van Zonshoven is a witness of your unseemly
+conduct.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All the better. The Jonker chooses to become our guest, and he shall see and know into what a <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb157" href="#pb157">157</a>]</span>mean and miserable a household he has entered. I will put no blind before his eyes.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There is, however, a difference between trying to blind people, and tearing off the bandages from the sores in this way,
+Miss Mordaunt,&#8221; I replied, with emphasis.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Possibly, Jonker; but I cannot hide my meaning in fine words. I must speak plainly. I would rather live on bread and water
+than be beholden to another for these luxuries.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>With this she left the room, giving me a defiant look, which I returned by a shake of the head, to signify how much I disapproved
+of her conduct and the intemperance of her language.
+
+</p>
+<p>Whilst we stood staring at each other, we three gentlemen, in a state of stupefaction, she just put her head in at the door
+and said&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Captain, you will attend to the housekeeping duties to-day; I am going for a ride.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;At your service, Commandant,&#8221; answered Rolf, bringing his hand to his cap in military fashion.
+
+</p>
+<p>I could not help expressing my amazement at the coolness with which he treated the whole affair.
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb158" href="#pb158">158</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;What could I say, Jonker; such outbursts are not new to me. I saw this morning that the weather-glass stood at storm. The
+quicker and more violent the storm, the sooner it is over; and you know an old soldier is proof against weather.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am glad I warned you beforehand, nephew, of my granddaughter&#8217;s temper,&#8221; said the General, with a deep sigh, without raising
+his head to look at me. &#8220;Once she&#8217;s got an idea into her head, there is no opposing her; she&#8217;ll drive through anything, like
+a man on his hobby-horse; she never reasons.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I thought to myself, she reasons only too logically for you; and he evidently felt it, for throughout the whole scene he had
+sat with his head down, nervously playing with his ring.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come, General, don&#8217;t be cast down,&#8221; said Rolf, cheerily: &#8220;we&#8217;ll maintain our alliance against the common foe, and the wind
+will change again.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>As he spoke he unfolded a long, small parcel; it contained a riding-whip. &#8220;I am afraid the moment is inopportune,&#8221; he said;
+&#8220;and yet she will need it. Who knows but she&#8217;ll accept my present?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I hope not,&#8221; I said to myself; &#8220;that would lower her in my esteem.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb159" href="#pb159">159</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;She deserves to be chastised with it,&#8221; interposed the General, now giving vent to his pent-up rage.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Excellency, that we ought to have done twenty years ago. It was a mistake to promote her to the command before we had
+taught her the discipline.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A great mistake,&#8221; sighed the General.
+
+</p>
+<p>Rolf now set to work to attend to his housekeeping duties, and I excused myself under the pretext of having letters to write;
+for I had a great wish to be alone and reflect on all I had seen and heard this morning.
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb160" href="#pb160">160</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e1970" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XX.</h2>
+<p>Once in my room, I threw off my coat, loosened my collar, and made myself quite comfortable before commencing a letter to
+Overberg.
+
+</p>
+<p>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 dressed in her riding-habit, and brought me an inkstand, which she placed on the table, then took a chair quite at
+her ease, though she could see I 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 scarcely believed her sole object was to supply me with an inkstand; and I pointed out to her
+I had got my own writing-case with me. My freezing manner seemed to disappoint her, so she said&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p><span class="corr" id="xd0e1978" title="Source: &#8216;">&#8220;</span>I wished to ask a favour of you, but I see I disturb you.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb161" href="#pb161">161</a>]</span></p>
+<p>I was still silent.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Have you a strap amongst your luggage which I can use as a riding-whip? You know I have lost mine.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can lend you my ruler. Will that do?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>She grew very red, and after a pause she said&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I see you are in no humour to render me a service.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am always ready to serve a lady who exercises the privileges of her sex. Why did you not send for me, if you wished to
+ask me anything?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah!&#8221; she exclaimed, in an injured tone, &#8220;my want of etiquette causes your ill-humour. I have come into your room. Well, pass
+it over&#8212;you know I am so little of &#8216;a lady.&#8217;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s only too true, Major.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Major!&#8221; she repeated angrily, opening her large eyes in astonishment. &#8220;I thought you disliked my nickname.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not since I have seen the soldier in action. But I should like to know to which class of majors you belong, tambour-major
+or sergeant-major? For I believe the command of a regiment is usually given to a man of refinement&#8212;to a person, in fact, who
+can make himself respected by his gentleman-like <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb162" href="#pb162">162</a>]</span>behaviour and dignity; but after the scene I witnessed this morning&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Leopold!&#8221; she cried, deadly pale, her lips quivering, &#8220;this is a personal insult. Do you mean it as such?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I was surprised at the change, for I had expected her to wreak her anger on me now. But she sat quite still, as if nailed
+to her chair; so I continued&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My remarks only apply to the disagreeable character it pleases you to assume.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Still no answer. And I began to be embarrassed in my turn, which embarrassment was only increased by her breaking out in a
+plaintive tone&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Leopold, you strike deeper than you suppose.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Francis,&#8221; I cried, changing my tone, &#8220;believe me, it is not my intention to wound you; I wish to cure you.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I was going to take her hand, when she sprang up as if she had received an electric shock, and said in her bitterest tone&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I will not be cured by you; I am what I am, and don&#8217;t you waste your precious time on such a disagreeable creature as you
+think me to be.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Francis! I am not deceived in you, and I <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb163" href="#pb163">163</a>]</span>will try to cure you in spite of yourself. When you made such a terrible scene in my presence this morning, I understood you.
+It meant this: He is staying here to study the character of Major Frank; well now, he shall see it in all its rudeness and
+insufferableness, and we shall see how long he will stay in spite of me. Miss Mordaunt, I have seen through your intentions,
+and I am not to be frightened away by the rude mask you have put on.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A mask! I am no masker!&#8221; she cried, stamping her foot with rage. &#8220;You, Jonker van Zonshoven, come from the Hague, a town
+full of maskers, to tell me this, me whose chief defect or merit&#8212;which you like&#8212;is to have broken with all social hypocrisies,
+me whose chief pride is to speak my mind plainly without regard of persons. I did not think it necessary to measure my words
+in your presence; it appeared to me you had made yourself one of the family, and I thought it best you should know the relationship
+in which we stand to each other.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just so,&#8221; I replied, smiling. &#8220;You acknowledge that in raising your voice several notes too high when you gave those two
+humiliated men a piece of your mind, your real object was to drive a third <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb164" href="#pb164">164</a>]</span>person out of the house. Be sincere, Francis, confess the truth.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I tried in vain to look her in the face whilst I spoke. She had turned her head away, and was kicking the leg of the table.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I observe, and not for the first time, that you can be disagreeable when you like,&#8221; she remarked, after a long pause.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I confess it; but an evasion is not an answer, Francis.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well then, yes, it is true; I wished you to leave for your own sake. But never believe, Leopold, whatever stories you hear
+about me, that I am deceitful, that I would play a part. I was myself when I made the scene&#8212;violent, angry, and burning with
+indignation. I have my whims and fancies, that I know; but I never feign&#8212;that would ill become me; for, I may say, I have
+too much good in me to act falsely. Yet there are so many contradictory feelings in me that I sometimes stand surprised at
+myself. And let me tell you, Leo, I came here to seek consolation from you, but your tone and your words have bitterly disappointed
+me, so much so that for a moment I have asked myself whether you <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb165" href="#pb165">165</a>]</span>were one of those snobs in patent-leather boots, who, while expressing horror at an ungloved hand, are yet not afraid of soiling
+its whiteness by boxing your wife&#8217;s ears. Because I did not observe 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!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>It was now my turn to feel piqued, and I should have answered sharply had I not succeeded in controlling myself.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Pardon me, Francis, I should consider myself the greatest of cowards to strike a woman; but it was no question of a woman
+just now. We were speaking of Major Frank&#8212;Major Frank who is angry when reminded of the privileges of the fair sex, because
+he will not be classed amongst &#8216;the ladies,&#8217; and who, in my opinion, ought not to be surprised when, after his own fashion,
+one tells him the truth roundly, and without mincing matters.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Francis listened this time without interrupting me. She was staring at 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&#8212;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb166" href="#pb166">166</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I confess, Leopold, it is not easy to contradict you; and now I think we are quits. Are we again good friends?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s nothing I desire more ardently; but, once for all, with whom? with Major Frank or&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, then, Francis Mordaunt asks for your friendship.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>She offered me both her hands, and her eyes filled with tears she could no longer keep back. How gladly I would have kissed
+them away, and pressed her to my heart and told her all! But I could not compromise my commencing victory.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Should I have spoken to you in this way, Francis, if I had not been your sincere friend?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I see it now, and I have need of a sincere friend. Well then, the Captain is ruining himself for our sakes; and grandfather,
+in a most cowardly fashion, lends himself to such doings. Is it not horrible?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is very wrong, I admit.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, suppose the General were to die&#8212;I should be left shut up in this place for life with the Captain. When he has rendered
+himself poor for our sakes, I cannot send him away. Now do you understand I had reasons for being angry this morning?&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb167" href="#pb167">167</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;That you had reasons, I don&#8217;t dispute; but the form&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come, come, always the form!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t say the form is the main thing, but a woman who gives way to such fits of violence puts herself in the wrong, even
+though she have right on her side. Just think for a moment what a scene if the Captain had retaliated in the same coarse language
+of the barracks, which he has probably not forgotten.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I should like to see him try it on with me!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;However, he had a perfect right to do so. I agree you are right in principle; but let me beseech you to change your manner
+of proceeding. The gentleness of a woman is always more persuasive than the transports of passion. You have told me your early
+education was neglected; but you have read Schiller?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Die R&auml;uber,&#8221; she replied, tauntingly.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But not his &#8216;<span lang="de">Macht des Weibes</span>,&#8217; nor this line&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<div class="&#xA; poem&#xA; " lang="de">
+<p class="line" style=""><span>&#8216;Was die Stille nicht wirkt, wirket die Rauschende nie!&#8217;&#8221;</span></p>
+</div>
+<p>She shook her head in the negative.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;This part of your education has been much neglected.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb168" href="#pb168">168</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I will not deny it.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But it is not yet too late. Will you listen to my advice?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not now; I have already stayed too long here, and&#8212;and&#8212;you stay at the Castle&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;As long as you will keep me, Francis.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, stay as long as you can&#8212;that is, if you can fall in with our ways. I am going out for a ride; I need fresh air and
+movement.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;<i>Apropos</i> the service you came to ask of me&#8212;the strap?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I shall pluck a switch. The Captain came to offer me a whip, and&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And you would rather accept it at my hands,&#8221; I said, laughing.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; but I should like to borrow ten guilders of you for a couple of days.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I handed over my purse, and told her to take out of it as much as she required. What a strange creature! What a comic conclusion
+to our battle!
+
+</p>
+<p>I also felt as if a little fresh air would do me good, and so I walked off to the village post-office with my letter to Overberg.
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb169" href="#pb169">169</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e2115" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XXI.</h2>
+<p>Downstairs I met the General ready for a walk, and he offered to accompany me. He had also a letter for the post, which was
+a secret to be kept from Francis; and he expected to find a packet awaiting him, which could not be entrusted to a servant.
+The packet was there amongst the letters marked <i>poste restante</i>; but when he had opened it with precipitation, a cloud of disappointment covered his face, and he heaved a heavy sigh.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t say anything to Francis about the packet,&#8221; he said to me, as we walked back from the post. &#8220;Such business I must manage
+unknown to her; she does not understand these things, and she would not agree with me; and with her temper&#8212;at my age I have
+great need of quiet&#8212;that you comprehend. The Captain is entirely indebted to me for his rank, and it is but natural he should
+pay me some little <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb170" href="#pb170">170</a>]</span>attention. Yet you heard how my granddaughter took the matter up this morning. Instead of being content with me for retiring
+to this wilderness of a place, which I did to please her, she does nothing to render my life supportable.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And yet the Werve is beautifully situated, uncle.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I agree with you there; but when one must give up all field sports, this becomes a very isolated place. The village offers
+not the slightest resource, and the town is too far away.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why don&#8217;t you sell the Castle, uncle?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah, my dear boy, for that I must have money, much money; and that I have been in want of all my life. There are so many mortgages
+on the Castle that nobody would give the sum necessary to pay them. Besides, the person who bought it would like to possess
+the neighbouring estates. My sister-in-law, who possessed the Runenberg estates bordering on my property, wished to buy it,
+but I refused her; family hatred would not suffer me to make room for her. Thank heaven, she&#8217;s gone. She instituted proceedings
+against me about a strip of land of no real value to either of us; and the lawsuit cost me thousands of guilders. She won,
+as a matter of <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb171" href="#pb171">171</a>]</span>course, and then laid claim to a small bridge which connected the land in question with my grounds. Again I lost my money
+and my case; and now I must make a long round to reach places quite near, because the use of the bridge is forbidden me. Oh,
+that woman has been the curse of my life!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But to come back to the question. Overberg has commissioned me to say that the heir to the Runenberg is likely to make you
+an advantageous offer for the Werve.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It could be done privately&#8212;as in the case of the farms? Overberg arranged that for me&#8212;and there are reasons for avoiding
+a public sale,&#8221; cried the old man, brightening up with a ray of hope.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Overberg said as much; the only question was whether you could be induced to sell it.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;For myself, yes, with all my heart. But Francis&#8212;there&#8217;s the rub! She has an affection for this old rats&#8217; nest, for the family
+traditions, and for heaven know&#8217;s what; nay, even for the title which its possession carries with it. God bless the mark!
+She has got it into 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 her only chance of <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb172" href="#pb172">172</a>]</span>doing it is to make a rich marriage. Formerly she had chances enough amongst the rich bachelors, but she treated them all
+slightingly; and now we see nobody in this lonely place.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But you do not need her permission to sell the Castle?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Legally I do not require it; but there would be no living with her if I sold it without her consent. Besides, she has a right
+to be consulted. When she came of age I had to inform her that her mother&#8217;s fortune was nearly all spent. It was not my fault.
+Sir John Mordaunt kept up a large establishment, and lived in English style, without English money to support it; for he was
+only a second son, and his captain&#8217;s pay was not large. A little before his death he lost an uncle, to whose property and
+title Francis would have succeeded if she had been a boy. Shortly after this event my son-in-law died of apoplexy, and I was
+left guardian to Francis. My evil fate pursued me still, and being in want of a large sum of money to clear off a debt, which
+would disgrace the family if not paid at once, Francis generously offered me her whole fortune. I accepted it, as there was
+no alternative, but only as a loan; <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb173" href="#pb173">173</a>]</span>and promised to leave the Werve to her at my death.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But Francis is your only grandchild&#8212;or stay, I have heard you had a son, General; has he children?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My son is&#8212;dead,&#8221; Von Zwenken answered, with a strange kind of hesitancy in his voice. &#8220;He was never married so far as I know&#8212;at
+least, he never asked my consent to a marriage; and if he has left children I should not acknowledge them to be legitimate.
+In short, you now understand why I cannot sell the Castle without Francis&#8217; consent; after my death my creditors cannot take
+possession of it without reckoning with her.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>It struck me that Aunt Sophia had never foreseen this, and the mine she had been digging for Von Zwenken would have blown
+up Francis in the ruins if things had been allowed to take their course. I had, in fact, at my side, a type of the most refined
+selfishness, profoundly contemptible, recounting to me his shameful scheming under the cover of a gentlemanlike exterior and
+a polite friendliness, which might deceive the shrewdest man alive. Could I any longer wonder why Francis had so great an
+aversion to outward forms and ceremonies.
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb174" href="#pb174">174</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;But,&#8221; I resumed, &#8220;are you not afraid that after your death your granddaughter will be sadly undeceived, and perhaps cheated
+out of her all by your negligence.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What can I say, <i lang="fr">mon cher</i>? Necessity knows no law; and I still hope to better my fortune before the end comes.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;At his age, by what means?&#8221; I asked myself.
+
+</p>
+<p>Then I thought of the packet he had been to fetch from the post-office. I believed I had seen it contained long lists of numbers;
+they were certainly the official numbers of some German lottery. The unhappy man evidently rested all his hopes on this expedient
+for re-establishing order in his affairs; and probably invested every penny he could scrape together in such lotteries. I
+though him an idiot to trust to any such means.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nephew,&#8221; he exclaimed, briskly, and with vivacity, as if a bright idea had struck him, &#8220;if it be true Overberg intends to
+treat with me about the sale of the Castle, would it not be well for you to break the subject to Francis, just to sound her?
+It appears to me you have some influence over her; and the greatest obstacle would be removed if you could change her fixed
+ideas on the point.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb175" href="#pb175">175</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I will do so, uncle.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You can make use of this argument, that the company of the Captain would become less of a necessity for me if I were in some
+town where other society is to be found.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Fortunately I did not need to answer him: we were at home, the luncheon bell was ringing, and the Captain came out to meet
+us, jovial as ever. Francis had not returned, and we took luncheon without waiting for her. Only at dinner-time did she put
+in an appearance. Her toilette was simply made, but she was dressed in good taste, and her beauty brought out to perfection.
+I was charmed. She seemed to tell me in a silent way that Major Frank had given place to Miss Mordaunt. She was quiet and
+thoughtful at dinner, and did not scold the Captain, who watched all her movements with dog-like humility. She paid much attention
+to the General, who seemed absent and out of sorts, for he only tasted some of the dishes. The dinner itself was a much simpler
+affair than on the preceding day; yet there was sufficient, and one extra dish had been made specially for Von Zwenken, who
+did not ask for the finer sorts of wine, but made up for this want <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb176" href="#pb176">176</a>]</span>by drinking two bottles of the ordinary wine without appearing any the worse for it.
+
+</p>
+<p>The only difference between him and the Captain was, that unlike the latter, he did not frankly confess that he lived to eat,
+and that his belly was his god. I began to feel a most hearty contempt for this grand-uncle of mine, and more especially when
+I reflected on the conversation we had had during our morning&#8217;s walk.
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb177" href="#pb177">177</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e2185" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XXII.</h2>
+<p>Dinner over, I did not hesitate about leaving the gentlemen to themselves. I declined a cigar, and followed Francis to the
+drawing-room. Rolf soon joined us, and demanded humbly&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What says my Major&#8212;do I not deserve a word of praise?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, certainly,&#8221; she replied, but her face clouded.
+
+</p>
+<p>Guessing the reason, I whispered to the Captain&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you perceive you annoy my cousin by always addressing her by that hateful nickname? Can&#8217;t you see by her elegant dress
+she desires to appear herself&#8212;Miss Mordaunt?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Indeed I am a blockhead not to pay better attention; but the truth is, Jonker&#8212;excuse me, Freule&#8212;the custom is such an inveterate
+one.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You and I must break with old customs, Captain,&#8221; <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb178" href="#pb178">178</a>]</span>she said softly, but with emphasis, &#8220;for we have been on the wrong track&#8212;have we not, Jonker?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;May I say one word,&#8221; interposed the Captain, &#8220;before the Freule and the Jonker begin to philosophise; should the General
+come in I cannot say it. You know the day after to-morrow is the General&#8217;s seventy-sixth birthday. I had intended the celebration
+to be a brilliant affair; but when I hear of wrong tracks, changes, and such farrago, I begin to fear all my plans will fall
+through.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh! was that the reason you brought in all those dainties this morning?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, and I thought the Jonker would be an agreeable addition to our party.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I give you full leave to arrange it all in your own way, Rolf. Grandfather must be f&ecirc;ted.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hurrah! of course!&#8221; he cried merrily; and off he went to make his arrangements, carefully shutting the folding-doors behind
+him so as to isolate us from the dining-room.
+
+</p>
+<p>I was just going to compliment Francis on the change in her style of dressing, when she complained of the closeness of the
+room, and skipped off into the garden. Left thus to my own resources, I lit a cigar <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb179" href="#pb179">179</a>]</span>and 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 see the sun set. Instead of taking the regular path, Francis preferred making direct for the object in view; and we
+had to trample through the underwood, and were many times tripped by the roots of felled trees. In answer to my remarks on
+this whim of hers, she replied&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;People say my education was neglected, which is not quite correct. I am not altogether a child of the wilderness. In fact,
+much trouble was given to my training, only it was not of the right sort. I was brought up as a <i>boy</i>. As you know already, my mother died a few days after my birth, and Rolf&#8217;s sister was my nurse. Her own child had died, and
+I replaced it for her. She had a blind affection for me, almost bordering on fanaticism; she obeyed all my wishes, giving
+as an excuse to any remonstrances that she was the only person in the world who loved me. This was an exaggeration, for my
+grandfather, who lived in the same house with us, made much of me, though it is true Sir John Mordaunt took little notice
+of his child. He had previously had a son called Francis, like myself, on whom all his hopes <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb180" href="#pb180">180</a>]</span>were fixed 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; and he received me with so little welcome that I have heard the last hours of my poor mother&#8217;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, strong child I was. &#8216;Indeed,&#8217; she said, &#8216;it might have been a boy.&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Rolf has since told me that my father seemed suddenly struck by an idea. From that day forth he devoted much attention to
+my training, and this has made me what I am. Under pretext of hygiene and English custom, I was dressed in a loose costume,
+&#8216;a boy&#8217;s suit,&#8217; as my nurse called it, and I was taught all kinds of gymnastic exercises. They hardened me against heat and
+cold like a young Spartan. Rolf taught me the military exercise, and made me quite an adept at fencing, and all the young
+officers who dined with us were invited to have a bout with me. Out of complaisance to papa, they allowed me to come off victor;
+and Sir John was sure to reward me splendidly for any praise I won. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb181" href="#pb181">181</a>]</span>At this time grandfather held the rank of Major, and I suppose it was an idea of Rolf&#8217;s to give me the title of &#8216;Little Major,&#8217;
+with which my father was so pleased that he often addressed me by this sobriquet, and so gave it the stamp of his authority.
+I well remember, on one occasion, an officer, evidently a stranger, addressed me as Miss Francis, which so much surprised
+me that I uttered a good round oath in English&#8212;it was Sir John&#8217;s favourite expression; whereupon my father took me in his
+arms and kissed me, so far as I can recollect for the first time in my life.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is less to be wondered at that the bad habit has clung to you even to this day.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My nurse of course told me it was wrong, and tried to break me of it; but in my childish way I was a match for her, replying,
+&#8216;But papa does so&#8212;is it a sin, then?&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Oh, for gentlemen it is different.&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Very well, I will be a gentleman; I won&#8217;t be a girl.&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Indeed, my childhood was embittered by the idea that I was a girl and could never become a man. I never went to children&#8217;s
+parties; I was always <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb182" href="#pb182">182</a>]</span>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 on
+horseback. When my nurse acknowledged she had lost all control over me, a tutor was engaged&#8212;yes, a tutor: don&#8217;t be surprised.
+Sir John had never either announced the death of his son or the birth of a daughter to his relations in England. For this
+reason I was isolated from my own sex, and even learned to regard it with somewhat of an aversion, owing to the conversation
+of Sir John and Dr. Darkins. I profited by such training, though perhaps not exactly as they desired, for I hated a lie, and
+my chief desire was to show myself such as I was, proud and frank in all my dealings with men. I am convinced grandfather
+had no hand in this plot, but he was too weak to speak out and set his face against it. Sometimes, however, he gave me needlework
+to do, and he had a strong aversion to Dr. Darkins. Disputes arose between him 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 that I should be sent to an aristocratic <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb183" href="#pb183">183</a>]</span>ladies&#8217; boarding-school. There I played all sorts of pranks, smoked like a grenadier, and had always a supply of extra-fine
+cigarettes wherewith to tempt my schoolfellows.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The cause of this great change in my life was brought about in this way. Aunt Ellen, a sister of my father&#8217;s, had come over
+to Scheveningen with her husband for the bathing season, and thence she made a flying visit to see her brother, taking everybody
+by surprise&#8212;nobody more so than Sir John himself.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Francis must be a big boy now; what are you going to make of him?&#8217; I heard her ask my father.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;There&#8217;s nothing to be made of him,&#8217; my father answered angrily in his embarrassment, &#8216;for Francis is only a girl. The eldest
+child, a son, is dead. I have only this one.&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;John, John,&#8217; cried the lady reproachfully, &#8216;the whole family believed you had a son, and you have done nothing to undeceive
+us; and the old 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 mean by it? Have you acted like a gentleman?&#8217;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb184" href="#pb184">184</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Papa lisped something about &#8216;absolute necessity,&#8217; and seemed anxious to induce her to co-operate in his schemes. The proud
+lady burst forth in indignation&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Can you imagine I would become a party to such deception?&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sir John, to relieve his disappointment, uttered his usual oath, and ordered me out of the room, as he now perceived I was
+listening with all my ears.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I obeyed very unwillingly, and not until I had spoken to Aunt Ellen. He ordered me to hold my tongue, and there was a mingling
+of menace, of anxiety, and embarrassment in his looks which drove me sheer out of the room. I had never seen him look like
+that before. What passed between them I cannot say. Aunt Ellen afterwards gave me fifty pounds, and promised to make me that
+yearly allowance if my conduct was satisfactory at school. I told her I hated girls&#8217; schools, and that I should much prefer
+going to England with Dr. Darkins, as had been promised me.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;That&#8217;s out of the question, my child.&#8217; More she did not say, and I knew better than to ask Sir John any questions.
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb185" href="#pb185">185</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, as you may imagine, I did not stay a whole year at school. In some things I had the advantage of the eldest girls,
+whilst in others I was more stupid and ignorant than the children in the lowest class. My knitting 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, to make matters worse,
+if any one laughed at me for my awkwardness, or punished me for my carelessness, I flew into the most violent passion. I fought
+with the assistant-mistress, and boxed the ears of any girl who called me Major Frank&#8212;a girl from the same town as myself
+having betrayed me. Before I had been there six weeks I ran away, and had to be taken back by Sir John himself; but six months
+later I was dismissed as an untractable, incorrigible creature, whose conduct was pernicious in its effect on the rest of
+the school. The dismissal, however, was an injustice to me. Music was the only thing I liked at school, and the music master
+was the only teacher who had never had reason to complain of me; on the contrary, he praised me, he flattered me, and one
+day he even gave me a kiss.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb186" href="#pb186">186</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;The wretch!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, this liberty aroused all my feelings of feminine dignity, and I boxed his ears for him.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That was just like you!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The other girls rushed into the room; the headmistress followed to inquire into the cause of the disturbance. Of course the
+master had the first word, and he was base enough to say I had become so violent on account of his correcting my fingering.
+When asked for my explanation, I answered that I would not contradict a liar&#8212;it was beneath my dignity.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I declined to apologize, and was threatened with the severest punishments known in the school. They shut me up in a room
+and fed me on bread and water, but all in vain; the mistress was obliged to write for my father.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He sent my old nurse to fetch me away, and I confided the truth to her with many tears. She was very anxious to make a scene,
+give &#8216;madame&#8217; a piece of her mind in the presence of her pupils; but I was so glad to get away from the school that I prevented
+her carrying out her intentions. I told her I should not be believed. The <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb187" href="#pb187">187</a>]</span>fact was, one of the elder girls told me I was very foolish to make so much fuss about a kiss. The music master kisses me,&#8217;
+she continued, &#8216;and all the others who are pretty,&#8217; as he says. Still, we are much too sensible to 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 a servant of the establishment. What folly to make such a man your enemy!<span class="corr" id="xd0e2280" title="Source: &#8217;"></span>
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have since met this same girl&#8212;Leontine was her name&#8212;in society, and experienced the advantages of her education. She was
+ever very polite to my face, and calumniated me directly my back was turned. Thus, you see, under these forms of decorum all
+kinds of lies and infamy are hidden.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Francis, I am quite of your opinion that a man&#8217;s fine manners are no guarantee of his morality or uprightness; but do you
+think society would be improved by turning all its sin, wretchedness, and ugliness to the surface?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is certain we should then fly from it in disgust and horror.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But every one cannot fly from it. There are <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb188" href="#pb188">188</a>]</span>people who are obliged to 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 to social life an aspect which renders it supportable.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>As we returned from the ruin the sky had become misty, and the sun was setting behind the clouds, its presence being only
+marked by the orange and purple rays struggling through the mist; the fields were already invisible under this wet sheet of
+nature&#8217;s procuring. It was time for us to seek shelter from such humidity as surrounded us. Francis proposed to enter the
+house with all speed.
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb189" href="#pb189">189</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e2295" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XXIII.</h2>
+<p>Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
+
+</p>
+<p>She went on to say that a Swiss governess was engaged to teach her needlework and other ladylike accomplishments.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My father,&#8221; she said, &#8220;seeing all his plans foiled by the unexpected visit of my English aunt, left me entirely in the hands
+of my governess. And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship,
+and signing myself <i>Francis</i> Mordaunt (I had been told this was the accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of exchange from
+that source. It was these bills of exchange which had enabled him to keep up such an expensive establishment. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb190" href="#pb190">190</a>]</span>He ought now to have adopted a plainer style of living; but he preferred drawing upon his capital.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I thought it my duty to write to Aunt Ellen, and to tell her the truth about my having left the school. She answered me in
+affectionate terms, and enclosed the annual fifty pounds with many exhortations to industry and much good advice. She even
+promised me I should come to London on a visit, as she had much to tell me. But, alas! next year she died, and my pension
+ceased&#8212;nor have I ever heard a word of my English relations since.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mademoiselle Chelles, my governess, was a woman of tact, and won my affection and esteem. In the long walks we took together
+our conversation was confidential, and she spoke of the sufferings of the poor, 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 had ever done before. She inspired me with
+a love for the beauties of nature, and awoke the better feelings which, thus far, had lain dormant; assisting me in my preparation
+for confirmation. Perhaps she would have succeeded in extirpating &#8216;Major Frank&#8217; altogether, but <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb191" href="#pb191">191</a>]</span>that my nurse grew jealous of her influence; and, worse still, Rolf, now promoted to the rank of lieutenant, fell in love
+with her. She could not bear the <i lang="fr">grand soudard</i>, the &#8216;ogre,&#8217; as she called him; for his manners frightened her, and he made his offer in such a maladroit fashion that she
+walked off to my father, and said she would leave the house if ever that man were allowed to put his foot into it again. This,
+as everybody said, was assuming the &#8216;high tone&#8217; on her part. Grandfather and nurse were on Rolf&#8217;s side, and my father answered&#8212;<span class="corr" id="xd0e2318" title="Source: &#8221;">&#8217;</span>It&#8217;s only a governess, let her go.&#8217; I myself said little for her; I was too anxious to regain my ancient liberty&#8212;though I
+have since known the loss I sustained in losing her. I was young then; my father ought to have known better. Even to the present
+day this is one of my grudges against Rolf.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Again I became &#8216;Major Frank.&#8217; I accompanied my father on his rides, and I saw he was proud of my horsemanship. Sometimes
+we hunted together, and when he allowed me to drive I was ever ready to show off my daring and skill. In the meantime my nurse
+died, and now, indeed, I felt the truth of her words&#8212;that she was the only person in the world <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb192" href="#pb192">192</a>]</span>who really loved me. I had to take her place, and fulfil the duties of mistress in the household. My father was expecting
+a visitor from England&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>She stopped abruptly, and fixing her beautiful blue eyes on me with a strange expression, asked&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Leopold, have you been in the society of women much?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;When I lived with my mother I saw many of her friends and visitors; but since&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s not the question. I ask you if, like most men, you have sometimes suffered from the intermittent fever called love?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have done my best, cousin, to escape it. Knowing myself to be too poor to maintain a wife in these expensive times, I have
+always observed a strict reserve in my relations with them in order not to be led away from my principles.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then you have never been &#8216;passion&#8217;s slave,&#8217; as Hamlet puts it.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My time has always been too much occupied for anything of the sort.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;So much the better for you; but I am sorry for myself, because you will not be able to give me the information I am seeking.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb193" href="#pb193">193</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Tell me what you want to know; possibly I can enlighten you.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wish to know if you think it possible for an honourable man, who is neither a fool nor a coxcomb, but who, on the contrary,
+has given evidences of his shrewdness and penetration, not to observe pretty quickly that a girl&#8212;how shall I express myself?&#8212;that
+a girl is deeply attached to him, even though no word of love has been exchanged between them?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I was greatly embarrassed. What could be her meaning? Was this simplicity or maliciousness on her part, to address such a
+question to me? After a few moments&#8217; reflection, however, I answered&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I believe that, in general, both men and women very quickly discover the mutual feelings which they entertain towards each
+other, even though no words on the subject have passed between them.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is my opinion also now; but at the time I am referring to I was as inexperienced as a child. My father&#8217;s friends always
+regarded me as an ill-bred girl, whimsical and capricious, a sort of savage whom nobody cared to invite into society either
+for the sake of their sons or daughters. The young officers who visited at our house would try to make themselves <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb194" href="#pb194">194</a>]</span>agreeable; but their conduct appeared so insipid, so ridiculous, that I only mocked them, and gave such biting replies as
+to disconcert the most intrepid amongst them.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was at this time that Lord William came to stay with us. He was introduced to me as a schoolfellow of my father&#8217;s; at
+Eton he had been Sir John&#8217;s fag, and indeed was his junior by only a few years. For some reason, unexplained to me, it was
+said he had been obliged to leave England, and my father offered him the suite of rooms left vacant by my grandfather. Lord
+William appeared to be rich; he brought over an immense quantity of luggage, and paid right royally for any service rendered
+him. I believe, indeed, he had a private agreement with my father about the housekeeping expenses, though neither of them
+ever told me so. Now a housekeeper was engaged to assist me in the management of the house, and yet it was with the greatest
+difficulty that I could adapt myself to the duties of mistress of such an establishment. The presence of our visitor, however,
+greatly aided in reconciling me to my position.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Lord William (I never knew his family name) <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb195" href="#pb195">195</a>]</span>was a man of letters, and had had a very valuable and expensive library sent over for his use. Moreover, he was highly gifted
+with the faculty of communicating his knowledge to others in a pleasant and agreeable manner. He was an enthusiastic lover
+of art and poetry; he could read and even speak several modern languages, and was passionately fond of antiquities and ancient
+history. He knew&#8212;what we were all ignorant of&#8212;that the library of our own small town possessed works of inestimable value
+on these subjects, and I think this was his reason for choosing it as his place of sojourn on the Continent. At all events
+he made great use of the library. You may understand my surprise at seeing a man, evidently of high rank, who cared neither
+for hunting nor noisy pleasures of any kind, and who declared the happiest moments of his life to be those spent in his study,
+and yet withal he was a perfect gentleman and man of the world. The gentlemen said he was ugly; the ladies were silent on
+that point, but appeared delighted with the slightest attention he paid them. I thought he bore a striking resemblance to
+our Stadtholder William&nbsp;III., though less pale. He had a high forehead, strongly marked features, and <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb196" href="#pb196">196</a>]</span>dark eyes, which made you think of the piercing regard of the eagle.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Had he also the beak?&#8221; I asked, growing impatient.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have told you he was like William&nbsp;III. (of England),&#8221; she replied, looking at me in astonishment; &#8220;his nose was curved
+sharply. But not to detain you too long, I will at once confess he exercised a powerful influence over me for good. I soon
+discovered that my manners were displeasing to him, and that he evinced towards me a compassionate sympathy, as if he regretted
+the sad turn my tastes had taken. One day I overheard him ask my father why he did not take me out into society. He gave as
+a reason my wild and brusque manners, and the kind of society to be found in a small town like ours. Lord William was not
+a man to be easily discouraged. He spoke to me privately about my previous life, and put all sorts of questions to me about
+my education. I told him everything, in my own way, without trying to hide any of the particulars from him.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Do you like reading?&#8217; he asked me.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Not at all,&#8217; I answered. &#8216;I like society, men and action.&#8217;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb197" href="#pb197">197</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;But any one who does not read, and read much, becomes idiotic, and makes but a poor figure in society.&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;If that&#8217;s the case, tell me what I ought to read.&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;I cannot answer your question right away; but, if you are willing, we will read together and try to make up for lost time.&#8217;<span class="corr" id="xd0e2377" title="Not in source">&#8221;</span>
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb198" href="#pb198">198</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e2381" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XXIV.</h2>
+<p>&#8220;And so it was settled. He undertook to educate me and to form my tastes. He soon made me acquainted with the masterpieces
+of German and French literature, and discovered to me the beauties of the classics in his own language; and I learnt from
+him most assiduously that which Dr. Darkins never could have taught me&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And so well, that you fell in love with each other!&#8221; I interrupted, giving way to a movement of anger.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not exactly; but if you interrupt in that way I shall lose the thread of my narrative. It is at your desire I recount to
+you the story of my past life; and how much wiser would you be if I were to compress it into a sentence like this for instance:
+&#8216;Lord <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb199" href="#pb199">199</a>]</span>William came to our house in the autumn, and left us the following spring&#8217;?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Without having become your <i>fianc&eacute;</i>?&#8221; I said in agony.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Without having become my <i>fianc&eacute;</i>,&#8221; she answered in a dry, cold tone.
+
+</p>
+<p>I was angry with myself. I had only too plainly shown that I was jealous of the praise lavished on this stranger. And what
+right had I to be jealous?
+
+</p>
+<p>She was the first to break the silence which ensued.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Leopold,&#8221; she said, &#8220;I perceive that this account of the events of my youth is anything but agreeable to you. If you had
+left us as I wished you to do this morning, I should not now be wearying you with my recollections of the past.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Believe me, Francis, I have remained on purpose to listen to them; I promise not to interrupt you again if you will continue.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well then, now I will confess to you that I loved Lord William with all the strength of a first love, and with all that innocency
+of a young heart which does not yet even know that the passion which sways it is love. I soon found that Lord William was
+dearer to me than all the world beside, and that my <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb200" href="#pb200">200</a>]</span>chief delight was to obey him in all things, to consult him on all occasions, and to accompany him when and wherever it was
+possible. I even found means to interest myself in his arch&aelig;ological researches. I translated for him Dutch documents which
+formerly I would not have taken the trouble to read. Besides, finding that, like most men, he was fond of a good dinner, I
+took care to have such dishes prepared as I knew to be to his liking. I began to pay attention to my dress, because he himself,
+without going to extremes or exceeding the bounds of good taste, was always well dressed. He introduced me into the society
+of our small town, and I felt vexed every time he paid the least attention to another lady, though I took care not to let
+him see it. We also gave dinners and received company, and the ladies were greatly astonished at the manner in which Major
+Frank played the hostess. The winter was drawing to a close, and it had been settled that, on the first fine day which offered,
+we should all make an excursion to the Werve. My grandfather had returned to the garrison, and I was soon aware he disapproved
+of my sentiments towards Lord William. And it was not long before I knew the reason why.
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb201" href="#pb201">201</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;One fine spring morning I was sitting on the balcony with a book in my hand, when I heard my grandfather and father, who
+sat on a bench underneath, speaking of Lord William and myself in terms which excited my curiosity.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Grandfather, in a very bad humour, said: &#8216;She is always parading him about, and he pays no attentions to anybody but her.
+In your place, I should ask him to declare his intentions, and then the engagement can be publicly announced.&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My father burst out in a loud laugh.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Major,&#8217; he said, &#8216;what are you thinking of? William, whose intentions are perfectly honest, was at school with me; he is
+only two or three years my junior, and Francis has not completed her seventeenth year.&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;What does that matter? He does not look much over thirty, and I tell you she&#8217;s madly in love with him. How is it possible
+you have never perceived it yourself?&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Bless me, Major!&#8217; cried my father, &#8216;you must know that William is married; and, moreover, I am very grateful to him for
+acting the part of mentor to Francis; indeed she had need of one!&#8217;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb202" href="#pb202">202</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;In truth, Sir John, either you are too simple, or you indulge a confidence in your friend I cannot approve of.&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;You would have the same confidence in him that I have, if you knew him as well. He is every inch a gentleman, sir, and if
+I hinted the slightest suspicion he would leave the house instantly. And, besides, he is generous, very generous&#8212;I am deeply
+indebted to him. His stay with us is almost at its close. He must return to London to preside at the meeting of some society
+of antiquarians of which he is the president. The disagreeable affair which obliged him to come to the Continent is almost
+arranged. He was afraid of a lawsuit which would have caused much scandal in high life, but the mediators are now hopeful
+of success. His wife, who is travelling in the South with his relations, has written him a very humble letter, imploring him
+to forget and to forgive. He has told me his mind is not yet quite made up, but that he has a great repugnance to a divorce;
+probably then&#8212;&#8212;&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hereupon the two speakers got up and walked away into the garden. As for myself, I remained for a long time leaning against
+the balustrade, immovable <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb203" href="#pb203">203</a>]</span>as a statue of stone. When I found myself quite alone, I could not suppress a cry of grief. Yes, my grandfather had read me!
+I loved&#8212;I loved with passion, and all at once I discovered my passion to be a crime. And he, had he not deceived me by leaving
+me in ignorance of what it was most important for me to know? Ought he not to have foreseen the danger into which he was leading
+me by his kind and affectionate treatment? Without doubt he felt himself invulnerable; without doubt he still loved his absent
+wife. It is true that with his kind manners he always maintained a certain reserve with me; once, indeed, and once only, he
+had kissed my hand with marks of tenderness for some attention or other I had shown him. That night I could not sleep for
+joy; on the morrow, however, he resumed his habitual reserve.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My first idea was to go and reproach him to his face for what I considered his deception towards me; but he was not at home,
+and would not return before dinner. At table I could not help showing him how much my feelings towards him had changed. This
+he observed, and when the other gentlemen lit their cigars after dinner, instead of following me to the <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb204" href="#pb204">204</a>]</span>drawing-room, as was his wont, he took a cigar and stayed with them. I remembered that I could smoke also, and I followed
+his example. I saw him frown; he threw away his cigar, and invited me to go with him to his study. This was just what I wanted.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;What is the matter with you, Miss Francis?&#8217; he asked. &#8216;I cannot understand the reason for this change in your behaviour
+towards me.&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;On a little reflection, my lord, you will easily discover the reason. You know how much I love plain-speaking.&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Very good.&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;What can I think of you when I hear from other people that you are married?&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I saw he grew pale, but he answered with great coldness&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Has Sir John only just told you that? and why to-day above all others?&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Sir John has told me nothing; I have heard it by accident. By accident, you understand, my lord, and now I think I have
+the right to hear from your own lips more particulars about your wife.&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He drew back some paces; his features became <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb205" href="#pb205">205</a>]</span>so contracted under an expression of violent suffering that I myself was afraid. For a time he was silent, pacing up and down
+the room; and finally he said to me, with a mingling of sadness and discontent&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;I am sorry, Francis, but I did not think the time had arrived when I could give you such a mark of confidence. There is
+too much of bitterness in your tone for me to suppose your question arises out of an interest in my sorrows, and only those
+who have such an interest have a claim to my explanations. Is it a young girl like you that I should choose out by preference,
+in whom to confide the sad secrets of my unhappy marriage? And how could I begin to speak about a subject on the termination
+of which I am still in doubt?&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;And it never occurred to you, my lord, that there might be a danger in leaving me ignorant of your marriage?&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;No, certainly not. I came here to divert my thoughts from my troubles, and to seek solace&#8212;which I have found&#8212;in my favourite
+studies. I made your acquaintance in the house of your father, who received me hospitably; and I thought I perceived your
+education had been neglected, nay, that even a false turn <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb206" href="#pb206">206</a>]</span>had been given to your ideas. This I have tried to remedy and I must acknowledge you have gratefully appreciated and seconded
+my efforts; but it does not follow that I ought to acquaint you with all my personal affairs and all my griefs and troubles.
+I fled from England to escape the condolence of my friends and the raillery of my adversaries. I wished to avoid a lawsuit
+in which my name&#8212;a name of some renown in England&#8212;would have been exposed to the comments of a public ever hungering after
+scandal. Could I have talked to you on such a subject? It would have cast a gloom over the golden dreams of your youth, and
+rendered the autumn of my life still more cloudy!&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;The clouds surrounding you, my lord, must be pretty thick already,&#8217; I replied, exasperated by his cool manner, &#8216;to prevent
+your seeing that my ignorance of your marriage has caused me to embark on a sea of illusions, where in the spring-time of
+life I shall suffer shipwreck.&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A movement of fright escaped him. I broke forth in complaints and reproaches; he fell back on a divan and covered his face
+with his hands. He protested he had never guessed at such an idea, never even <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb207" href="#pb207">207</a>]</span>suspected anything of the sort. Afterwards, when I had eased my mind and was sitting sobbing before him, he recovered himself,
+and coming over to me he said, in his usual calm and affectionate tone&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;My child, there is much exaggeration in all you have told me. Your imagination has been struck, and you have suffered it
+to carry you away, so that you believe all you say now; but I can assure you, you are mistaken. You are impressionable, susceptible,
+but too young to understand the real passion of love. At your age, young girls have very often some little love affair with
+the engaging young dancer they met at the last ball. You, who have been kept out of society on account of the masculine education
+you had received, have known no such temptations; but perhaps for this very reason you were the more exposed to illusions
+of another kind, which I confess I ought to have foreseen, namely, that of falling in love with the first gentleman who showed
+you more than the usual attentions of common civility. I happen to be this man. We have read several plays of Shakespeare
+together. Every young girl may imagine herself a Juliet; but that is no reason why <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb208" href="#pb208">208</a>]</span>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 would be. I am about the same age as your father; I am turning gray; I should
+also be as stout, but for a disease which threatens me with consumption. All this is far from poetic, is it not? Exercise
+your reason, your good sense, and you will be the first to acknowledge that I am most unfitted to become the hero of a love
+affair.&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I was silent; I felt as if some one were pouring ice down my back. He approached me, and laying his hand on my shoulder,
+with the greatest gentleness said&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;I was married one year before your father, and though I have no children, I might have had a daughter of your age. I had
+accustomed myself, gradually, to regard you as my own daughter; you deprive me of this pleasure, for the present at least,
+though I am sure you will one 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 of abasement to which the passions may lead <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb209" href="#pb209">209</a>]</span>a woman who has not energy enough to overcome them. If I had a son&#8212;I have only a nephew, who will be heir to my title and
+property&#8212;and if&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Thank you, my lord, I could never address you as my uncle!&#8217; and I burst out in an hysterical laugh. There was a beautiful
+edition of Shakespeare lying on the table, a present from him; I took it up and tore it leaf from leaf, scattering them about
+the room. At the same instant my maid knocked at the door; she came to remind me it was time to dress for the ball. We had
+accepted invitations for this evening to the house of a banker, one of the most prominent men in our province. My pride having
+been touched to the quick, I determined to seek solace in the wildest excitement. I flirted with the only son of this banker,
+who all through the winter had been very attentive to me. I felt much pleasure in showing Lord William how easily I could
+forget him; but my eyes were all the while furtively following him to see the effect my conduct might produce. He remained
+calm and cool as ever. After a while he seated himself at the card-table, and lost a considerable sum of money to my grandfather.
+On the morrow, <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb210" href="#pb210">210</a>]</span>I perceived preparations were being made for his departure in all haste. Lord William had received the letters he had so long
+expected, and seemed to have no time to notice me. I became transported with passion, when my father told me at luncheon that
+the banker&#8217;s son had asked permission to wait upon me in the course of the afternoon. You can understand my rage. &#8216;What a
+falling-off was there!&#8217;&#8212;from Lord William to a Charles Felters!
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I answered my father that I would not speak to the simpleton.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;You must!&#8217; he replied, in a tone of authority I was little accustomed to in Sir John. &#8216;You have given the young man encouragement,
+and you had better reflect on the consequences of refusing such a good offer.&#8217;<span class="corr" id="xd0e2490" title="Not in source">&#8221;</span>
+
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb211" href="#pb211">211</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e2494" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XXV.</h2>
+<p>&#8220;Poor Charles Felters was quite thunderstruck at the reception I gave him. His gay partner of last evening&#8217;s dance had changed
+into a veritable fury. I told him plainly I didn&#8217;t care a jot for him. He hesitated, he stammered, and couldn&#8217;t make up his
+mind to go. 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 &#8216;trophy of arms&#8217; with which my father had decorated one side of the room. Scarcely knowing what I was
+about, I seized a foil, handed it to my would-be lover, and taking another myself, I took up my position on guard, exclaiming&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;The man who wins my love shall win it with the sword.&#8217;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb212" href="#pb212">212</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;The miserable ninny never even observed that the foils were buttoned, but, throwing down his, rushed out of the room in the
+greatest alarm.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have heard of this feat of arms, Francis,&#8221; I said, laughing; &#8220;and, moreover, that Felters is still running away from you.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;<i lang="fr">Voil&agrave; comme on &eacute;crit l&#8217;histoire.</i>&#8217; I have myself heard he made a voyage round the world to escape from me; but the truth is he only made 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 the father of a family;
+nevertheless, all his relations bear me the most intense hatred, and lose no opportunity of serving me a malicious turn. I
+still held my foil in my hand when Lord William entered the room. His look was sufficient to show me his disapprobation.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;If your father had taken my advice, Francis,&#8217; he said, &#8216;he would have waited some little time before informing you of the
+intentions of Felters; still there was no reason for your acting in this way. <i>For shame</i> to treat a poor fellow, who perhaps never had a foil in his hand before, in such a manner. But, well! I have always hesitated
+about putting you to <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb213" href="#pb213">213</a>]</span>the test; permit me now, however, to take the place of the miserable fugitive.&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And without waiting for an answer he picked up Felters&#8217; foil, and cried&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;En garde!&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I literally did not know what I was doing. I would not decline his challenge, and I determined to show him that he was not
+fencing with an inexperienced girl. He handled his foil with a lightness and firmness of hand I had little expected to find
+in a man of letters, confining himself, however, to parrying my attacks only; and yet this he did so skilfully that I was
+unable to touch him. I exhausted myself in my desperate efforts, but I would not ask for quarter.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;You see such exercise requires more than the arm of a woman,&#8217; he said coolly.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My wild despair and anger seemed to give me strength, and falling in upon him I broke my foil upon his breast. He, with a
+smile, had neglected to parry this attack, and I saw a thin stream of blood trickle down his shirt-front. Now I was overwhelmed
+with sorrow and repentance. Sir John and grandfather immediately came upon the scene.
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb214" href="#pb214">214</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;It is nothing, gentlemen,&#8217; he said to them, &#8216;only a scratch; a little satisfaction which I owed to Miss Francis, and which
+will perhaps cure her of her taste for such unladylike weapons.&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;I will never, never more touch them,&#8217; I cried in terror when I saw his pocket-handkerchief, which he had applied to the
+wound, saturated with blood.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I have kept my word, though it has not prevented my obtaining a wide reputation as a duellist. Neither Charles Felters
+nor the servant of Lord William could hold their tongues, though the latter had been forbidden by his master to say a word
+on the subject. I was reminded very unpleasantly, next time I appeared in the town, that the affair had become public property.
+Lord William would not allow us to send for a surgeon, but had the wound dressed by his own servant; and, fortunately, it
+turned out to be less dangerous than I feared at first. I sought my own room, and hid myself there with all the remorse of
+a Cain. I resolved to throw myself at his feet and beg his pardon. But the reaction to my excited state of feelings had now
+set in, and I fell exhausted on a sofa, where I slept for several hours a feverish kind <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb215" href="#pb215">215</a>]</span>of sleep. When I awoke Lord William was gone. After this I was seriously ill; and on my recovery my grandfather took me as
+soon as possible to the Werve for the fresh country air. Sir John told me, when I was quite well, that Lord William had certainly
+given proof of his good-nature to allow me to touch him; for while at Eton he had been considered one of the best fencers
+in the school, and just before quitting England he had fought a duel with an officer in the Horse Guards, and wounded him
+in a manner that report said was likely to be fatal.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My answer to this was that I had never suspected Lord William of being a duellist.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;That he never was; but in this instance his honour was at stake. He could not leave the insult of this captain unpunished.
+Perhaps, however, he would have acted more justly if he had put his wife to death; and though an English jury would certainly
+have brought him in guilty of murder, yet, considering the great provocation he had received, public opinion would have sympathized
+with him in the highest degree. Now he is reconciled to her again, at least in outward appearance; but he has written to me
+that he is going to make a tour all over the world.&#8217;&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb216" href="#pb216">216</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;And you have never since heard of this &#8216;My lord?&#8217;&#8221; I asked Francis, to whose story I had listened with as much sorrow as
+attention.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never; and I don&#8217;t even know his family name to this day. Changes now followed in rapid succession. My father died suddenly;
+my grandfather was promoted in rank, and we removed to Zutphen, where I proposed to begin a new life. But though we break
+with our antecedents, it is impossible to sponge out the past. However, more of this hereafter. I must attend to the other
+gentlemen, otherwise I shall be accused of neglecting my duties. I will tell you more of this history at another time if it
+interests you; for it is a relief to me to confide it to a friend. Only never begin the subject yourself, as there are moments
+when I cannot bear to think of it.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I promise you this, Francis,&#8221; I replied, pressing her hand.
+
+</p>
+<p>It would be impossible for me to recount all the feelings which passed through my mind in listening to Francis&#8217;s trials. I
+will not weary you, dear William, for I acknowledge I felt sad and irritable. And yet I tried to think these were her &#8220;campaign
+years,&#8221; as she calls them, though it was evident her heart had suffered <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb217" href="#pb217">217</a>]</span>long before she attained her twenty-fifth birthday. If she had told me of deception, so common in the world, of an engagement
+broken off, of a misplaced affection, such things would not have troubled my peace of mind. What affected me was to think
+this Englishman had won the place in her affections which I wished to be the first to occupy&#8212;that place which permits a man
+to inspire a woman with confidence, and exercise over her an influence authoritative and beneficial. Time had done much to
+cool her love for him, but she had not forgotten him; and it was certainly a devotion to his memory which rendered her so
+indifferent to the merits of other men. I wondered if she had told me all this history in order to make me comprehend the
+improbability of my being able to replace her ideal. Had she not told me on the heath, on our first meeting, that if she suspected
+I came to demand her hand in marriage, she would leave me there and then? I felt myself diminishing in her estimation. And
+there was a portrait of William&nbsp;III. hanging over the mantelpiece which seemed to say to me, ironically, &#8220;Too late, too late!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Yet again I asked myself whether I was not growing <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb218" href="#pb218">218</a>]</span>jealous of a vain shadow. Eight years had passed since these events. She was no longer a little girl, who could imagine she
+saw a Romeo in her mentor who was a long 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?
+
+</p>
+<p>I determined not to remain in this perplexity. At the risk of committing an imprudence, I made up my mind to ask her whether
+she regarded the loss of her Lord William as irreparable. It was necessary for me to know what chance of success was left
+me.
+
+</p>
+<p>This night I slept little, for I was rolling over in my mind all sorts of extravagant declarations which I intended to make
+to my cousin next day. This, however, was the day preceding the General&#8217;s birthday, and Francis was fully occupied with the
+Captain in making all sorts of preparations; so that during the whole day I never once could find a suitable moment to begin
+the subject. The master of the village school would bring up to the Castle his best pupils to recite verses made for the occasion;
+the clergyman and the notables would also come to offer their congratulations.
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb219" href="#pb219">219</a>]</span></p>
+<p>Francis sent me to the post-office to fetch a registered letter for her.<a class="noteref" id="xd0e2563src" href="#xd0e2563">1</a> General von Zwenken was in a bad humour because Rolf had no time to amuse him, and finding myself rather in the way I went
+off to my room to write.
+
+</p>
+<p>Here in the afternoon I found on my table a little Russian leather case, on which my initials had been embroidered above the
+word <i>Souvenir</i>. Inside I found a bank-note equivalent to the sum Francis had borrowed of me; on the envelope which inclosed it she had written,
+in a bold hand, the word <i lang="fr">Merci</i>, her name, and the date. The case itself was not new. Poor dear girl! she must have sat up half the night to work my initials
+in silk, as a surprise. I now felt more than ever how dear she was become to me, and I promised myself not to temporize any
+longer. Then the idea occurred to me: If I can get her permission, I will ask her hand of the General to-morrow after I have
+congratulated him on his birthday.
+
+</p>
+<p>This idea threw me into a transport of joy. I got up from my chair with the intention of seeking my <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb220" href="#pb220">220</a>]</span>cousin and bringing matters to a crisis 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 hoarse voice called several times&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Francis! Francis!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Astonished, and wishing to know who this could be, I stood motionless. The voice cried again&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Francis, if you don&#8217;t open the window I will break the sash all to pieces.&#8221;
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb221" href="#pb221">221</a>]</span></p>
+<div class="footnotes">
+<hr class="fnsep">
+<p class="footnote"><span class="label"><a class="noteref" href="#xd0e2563src" id="xd0e2563">1</a></span> In Holland one is obliged to fetch a registered letter; they are never delivered by the postman.
+</p>
+</div>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e2585" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XXVI.</h2>
+<p>As, for very good reasons, Francis gave no answer, a vigorous arm forced open the window, and a man sprang into the room,
+seemingly quite indifferent about any damage he might have caused.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What is your business with Miss Mordaunt?&#8221; I asked, advancing towards the intruder.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A stranger here?&#8221; he answered, with an expression of surprise; &#8220;I thought they never had visitors now.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think the manner of your entrance is much more astonishing, and I am the person surprised.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, yes, my entrance is <i>somewhat irregular</i>,&#8221; he replied, in the most familiar style possible; &#8220;however, <i>Mr. Unknown</i>, I am neither a thief nor a housebreaker. I have entered in this way because I wished no one but Francis to know of my arrival,
+and I was <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb222" href="#pb222">222</a>]</span>sure I should find her here; but, now I am here, allow me to rest myself whilst I reflect a little upon the best means of
+obtaining an interview with her.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>And he threw himself at full length on the old sofa, which creaked under his weight.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah! ah!&#8221; he continued, examining the walls, &#8220;the family portraits are gone&#8212;eaten away, no doubt, by the moths and the damp.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>It was quite clear to me the stranger was not here for the first time. Though his manners were free, there was something gentlemanly
+in his personal appearance. Still his dress was fantastic. He wore a short velvet jacket with metal buttons, and a silk handkerchief
+loosely tied around his neck; tight trousers of a grey pearl colour, and polished riding-boots with spurs, and a soft felt
+hat.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ve got nothing to drink here?&#8221; he asked, after a pause of some minutes. &#8220;I have ridden for three hours, and my throat
+is almost choked with sand and dust.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>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 at rest for a moment; his greenish-grey eyes, the fine wrinkles on <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb223" href="#pb223">223</a>]</span>his high sunburnt forehead, and the paleness of his cheeks, all marked him as the adventurer endued with strong passions&#8212;an
+impression that was increased by his thick-set face, large nose, and the tufted mustachios hanging over his thick, sensual
+lips. I could not refuse him a glass of water, unwelcome as I found his presence. As I handed it to him I said&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You seem to know this house well.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, and that&#8217;s no wonder; I played many a prank here in my boyhood. But you, sir, who are you? An adjutant of the Colonel&#8217;s,
+or a <i>prot&eacute;g&eacute;</i> of Francis&#8217;s?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think I have the best right to question you, and to ask who you are?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s true enough; and I would tell you with pleasure, but it&#8217;s a secret which concerns others besides myself. Call me Mr.
+Smithson&#8212;it&#8217;s the name I am known by at present.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Very well. Now what is your business here, Mr. Smithson?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wish you to tell Francis I am here.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you think the news will be agreeable to her?&#8221; I demanded.
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb224" href="#pb224">224</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I cannot say, but she will come all the same.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here, into my room?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Bah! our Major Frank is no prude.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Smithson, I give you fair warning that if you say a single word derogatory to the character of Miss Mordaunt, I shall
+instantly make you take the same way out of this room by which you entered it.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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
+offensive word about Francis. Now, since you know her, you ought to be aware that she would never refuse to assist a person
+in distress out of a sense of prudery. Just you ask her to come here to see&#8212;not Smithson, because she does not know me under
+that name, but a relation of hers, who calls himself Rudolf.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And if she refuses to come?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, you make too many difficulties. Ah! is it possible you are her&#8212;&#8212;I should have thought Francis Mordaunt more capable of
+commanding a batalion than of bowing herself under the yoke of marriage. But, after all, women do change their minds. Then
+you are the happy mortal?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A truce to your suppositions,&#8221; I answered him <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb225" href="#pb225">225</a>]</span>in a firm voice; &#8220;I am here as a relation, a grand-nephew of the General&#8217;s; my name is Leopold van Zonshoven.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, upon my word! Probably we are cousins, for I am also related to the General. Francis will not refuse to come, I assure
+you&#8212;especially if you tell her that I do not come to ask for money; on the contrary, I bring some with me.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Hereupon he drew from his pocket a purse containing a number of clean, new greenbacks.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Tell her what you have seen; it will set her mind at ease, and possibly yours also&#8212;for you seem as yet only half-and-half
+convinced that I am not a highwayman.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I no longer hesitated; but took the precaution to lock my door on the outside, lest he should follow me, and surprise Francis
+before I had warned her. Having reached her room I knocked gently, and she answered &#8220;Come in.&#8221; It was the first time I had
+penetrated so far, and I began in a serious tone&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Something very singular has happened, my dear cousin&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is not an accident you come to announce to me, I hope?&#8221; she exclaimed.
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb226" href="#pb226">226</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;No, but a visit which will not prove agreeable, I am afraid.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A visit at this time of the day! Who is it?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A person who says he is a relation of the family, and refuses to give any name but that of Rudolf.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>She knit her eyebrows.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Good heavens! Unfortunate man! Here again!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I explained to her how he had forced his way in at the window, and offered to make him retrace his steps if she desired it.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, there must be no disturbance,&#8221; she said, in a state of agitation. &#8220;My grandfather must not even suspect he is here. I
+will go with you, Leopold; this once you must excuse me if I do anything you consider in bad form. How dare he show his face
+here? I can do nothing more for him. You will stand by me, won&#8217;t you?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I took her hand and led her to my room. Rudolf lay on the sofa, fast asleep. When he saw Francis standing before him, he jumped
+up as if to embrace her, but she drew back. He did not seem hurt, but he lost his tone of assurance.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I understand, Francis, that my return is not a joyful surprise to you.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb227" href="#pb227">227</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;You have broken your promise. You gave me your word of honour you would stay in America. At any rate, you ought never to
+have set foot in your native country again&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t judge me without having heard&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is it not tempting fortune to come back here to the Werve, where you may so easily be recognized?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, don&#8217;t make yourself uneasy on that score, my dear. I have taken precautions; and as for breaking my promise, I beg your
+pardon on my bended knees.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>And he made a gesture as if he would fall on his knees before her.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t be theatrical,&#8221; she said severely, and again retreated some steps from him.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Heaven forbid! On the boards, to gain a livelihood, it is another thing; but in your presence, before you, Francis, whom
+I honour and love, I wish to justify my conduct. You may condemn me afterwards, if you like. It was really my intention never
+to appear before your eyes again. Alas! man is but the puppet of fortune, and I have not been able to swim against the stream.
+I have had all sorts of adventures&#8212;but can I tell you all now?&#8221; he <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb228" href="#pb228">228</a>]</span>added, looking significantly at me. &#8220;To tell you the truth, I had reckoned on our being alone.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Stay, Leopold,&#8221; she said, in answer to an inquiring look I gave her.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Francis,&#8221; resumed Rudolf, with tears in his eyes, &#8220;you know you need no protector where I am.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know that, but I will not again expose myself to calumny for your sake. As for your security, Rudolf, I can answer for
+my cousin Van Zonshoven&#8217;s discretion. You may tell him who you are without fear.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is a question of life and death,&#8221; he said in French, with a most indifferent shrug of the shoulders, and he again stretched
+himself at full length on the sofa. &#8220;The least indiscretion, and my life will be forfeited. What of that? I run the risk of
+breaking my neck every day.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>And then, turning towards me, he began to sing, or rather to try to sing, with a voice quite hoarse, and with a theatrical
+<i>pose</i>, the following lines out of the opera &#8220;The Bride of Lammermoor&#8221;&#8212;
+
+
+</p>
+<div class="&#xA; poem&#xA; " lang="fr">
+<p class="line" style=""><span>&#8220;Sache donc qu&#8217;en ce domaine
+</span></p>
+<p class="line" style=""><span>D&#8217;o&ugrave; me chasse encor ta haine,
+</span></p>
+<p class="line" style=""><span>En seigneur j&#8217;ai command&eacute;.</span></p>
+</div><span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb229" href="#pb229">229</a>]</span><p>At least,&#8221; he put in, &#8220;during the absence of the Baron, for I was heir-presumptive&#8212;a presumption which, alas! is destined
+never to be changed into certitude&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Francis, visibly affected by his jesting style, interrupted him, and said to me&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Rudolf von Zwenken, my grandfather&#8217;s only son.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It would cost my charming niece too great an effort to say &#8216;<i>My uncle.</i>&#8217; It is my own fault. I have never been able to inspire people with the necessary respect for me. Well, now, Cousin van Zonshoven,
+you know who I am, but there is one point I must rectify: Rudolf von Zwenken no longer exists&#8212;he is civilly dead.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And morally,&#8221; murmured Francis.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And if he were to rise again under that name,&#8221; he continued, without heeding Francis&#8217;s interruption, &#8220;he would commit something
+like suicide, for he would be arrested and shot.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And knowing that, after all that has been done to put you beyond danger, you show yourself in this place again! It is inexplicable,&#8221;
+cried Francis.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But, my dear, who told you I had come to show <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb230" href="#pb230">230</a>]</span>myself here? It is true we give representations in the provinces; but the person who appears in public is Mr. Smithson, so
+well begrimed that Baron von Zwenken himself would not recognize his own son.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s very fortunate, for it would be the death of him,&#8221; retorted Francis, harshly.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How you exaggerate, dearest. <i lang="fr">Monsieur mon pere</i> never had so much affection 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.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is useless, sir; you may neither see nor speak to your father again.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Can you be so hard-hearted, Francis?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My duty obliges me, and I must have some regard for the feelings of your father in the first place.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But, my dear child, try to understand me. I only wish to kiss his hand and beg his pardon. With this object I have run all
+risks, and imposed on myself all kinds of fatigue. I have just ridden hard for three hours, hidden myself in the old ruins,
+climbed the garden wall at the risk of breaking an <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb231" href="#pb231">231</a>]</span>arm or a leg; then, seeing a light here, I broke in&#8212;and all this for nothing! No, <i>my darling</i>, this cannot be; you will still be my good angel, and arrange the meeting I so much desire&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I say <i>No</i>; and you know when I have once said a thing I mean it.&#8221;
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb232" href="#pb232">232</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e2770" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XXVII.</h2>
+<p>Rudolf, after a pause, began once more&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You have a good heart, Francis. Ah! I know your reasons. You think I am returned again like the prodigal son, with an empty
+purse, &#8216;after eating of the husks which the swine did eat.&#8217; It is just the contrary.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t be profane, Rudolf,&#8221; said Francis, severely.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But it is true&#8212;I bring money with me, over two hundred dollars in clean greenbacks, as a commencement of restitution, an
+earnest of my reform. What do you think my father would say if he found them to-morrow morning on his pillow? Don&#8217;t you think
+he would receive me with open arms?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, Rudolf, certainly not. You have broken your word of honour, and for this your father will never forgive you. Don&#8217;t talk
+of restitution. What <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb233" href="#pb233">233</a>]</span>is this sum in comparison with what you have cost him, and all the suffering you have caused him and me? Such sacrifices as
+we had made gave us the right to hope you would leave us in peace&#8212;forget us.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Rudolf bowed down his head and heaved a deep sigh. I could not help pitying the unfortunate man. I should have liked to say
+something in his favour; but the cold, haughty, nay, contemptuous attitude of Francis seemed to impose silence on me. There
+must be some reason, I felt sure, for her inexorable severity; consequently I remained a passive spectator.
+
+</p>
+<p>At length Rudolf roused himself from his despondency, drank off a glass of water, and, turning towards Francis, said in his
+most serious tone&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just listen, Miss Mordaunt. It appears to me that, under the pretext of acting as guardian to my father, you oppose a reconciliation
+between us, 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.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t talk to me about your prodigal son,&#8221; cried <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb234" href="#pb234">234</a>]</span>Francis, angrily; &#8220;you are not the prodigal son. It is only a passing whim, and you will be carried away again to-morrow by
+some new idea as you always were.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you be afraid you will lose anything by it,&#8221; he said in a bitter tone; &#8220;you know I shall never lay claim to my father&#8217;s
+property, even though we were reconciled.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Must I then be suspected of cupidity, and by you indeed!&#8221; exclaimed Francis, in the greatest indignation.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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 to set you at ease about any consequences which might result from my reconciliation with my father. To the world I am
+Richard Smithson, American citizen; but let me have the pleasure of being for the few minutes I stay here Rudolf von Zwenken,
+who would speak to his old father once more, and take a last farewell of him. How can you oppose such a desire?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Your last farewells signify nothing; you always come back again.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb235" href="#pb235">235</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;But if, in spite of your opposition, I go at once and seek my father in the large drawing-room&#8212;I have not forgotten my way
+about the house&#8212;who shall hinder me?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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 out like an old soldier.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The devil take Rolf! What&#8217;s the old ruffian doing here?&#8221; spitefully exclaimed Rudolf.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The old ruffian does all he can to cheer the declining years of your father, whom you have rendered unhappy by your conduct.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My misery would not be complete without your contumely,&#8221; sobbed Rudolf. &#8220;I came here so cheerful and well disposed.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Rudolf,&#8221; I said, &#8220;allow me to arrange an interview for you with the General, since Miss Mordaunt declines.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you trouble yourself, Jonker van Zonshoven,&#8221; retorted Francis, in her most cold and haughty tone. &#8220;I do not decline,
+but I know it is impossible, and therefore better to say nothing. Rudolf well remembers I threw myself at the feet of <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb236" href="#pb236">236</a>]</span>my grandfather, and besought him not to send his son into exile unforgiven, and it only added to the pain and sorrow of the
+scene. Don&#8217;t forget, either, that you yourself caused the report of your death to be spread abroad. The old man believed it,
+and I have since heard him say it was a comfort to him. His fears lest you should be arrested, tried, and condemned, were
+only set at rest when he heard the news. Would you renew his distress, and put him to these tortures again?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is true, too true&#8212;you are right,&#8221; said Rudolf, quite breaking down.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But you shall not leave the house without some refreshment,&#8221; returned Francis in a kind tone, now she felt her victory to
+be certain; &#8220;I will go and fetch you something to eat immediately. Cousin Leopold will allow you to have supper and to repose
+yourself in his room.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Whereupon she left the room, and I was left alone with this singular cousin of mine.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Bah!&#8221; he said, &#8220;our Major is not to be trifled with. What eyes she gave me! I felt as if she would pierce me through and
+through; and yet she has a good heart&#8212;there&#8217;s not one in a thousand like her.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb237" href="#pb237">237</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I think she might have shown a little more of its tenderness towards a relation,&#8221; I interposed.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What shall I say? She knows only my evil deeds as she has heard them recounted by my father. When chance or misfortune has
+thrown us two together, it has always been under circumstances which could not dispose her in my favour. I have cost her both
+trouble and money&#8212;nay, I even fear her reputation has been called in question on my account. When I was in trouble she came
+to my assistance, regardless of what public gossip might say. It was at Zutphen. My father&#8217;s door was 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&#8212;in fact, very seldom
+except on Sundays. But we were discovered; certain idlers took it into their heads to play the spy on us, and Heaven only
+knows what sort of reports they set flying about the town. The generous girl had pawned her diamonds in order to assist me,
+unknown to her grandfather. This act of devotion was of course interpreted to her disadvantage. You may think it would be
+more noble on her part not to remind me of what she has suffered when she sees me again; <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb238" href="#pb238">238</a>]</span>but, my dear sir, a perfect woman is as scarce a thing as a horse without a defect. Though she were to scratch and to bite
+me, I would still bow my head in submission to her&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>The entrance of Francis with a bottle of wine, bread and meat, &amp;c., interrupted what he had to say further. He attacked the
+eatables with a most voracious appetite.
+
+</p>
+<p>When he had somewhat allayed his hunger, he began&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Francis, my darling, where am I to pass the night? I cannot go into that part of the house occupied by the General and Rolf,
+that&#8217;s certain. I would go into the stable and sleep in the hay, but that I am afraid the coachman might recognize me.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We have no coachman now,&#8221; replied Francis, quite pale.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What! You have sent away Harry Blount?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Harry Blount is dead.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Dead! Why he would scarcely be thirty years of age. I taught him to ride&#8212;&#8212;but Francis, my angel, you are quite pale; have
+you also sold your beautiful English saddle-horse?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, Tancredo is stabled at farmer Pauwelsen&#8217;s; <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb239" href="#pb239">239</a>]</span>but it is the recollection of Harry Blount which causes me to turn pale. I&#8212;it is dreadful&#8212;I was the cause of his death.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nonsense; come, come! In a moment of passion?&#8221; (here he made the gesture of a man who horse-whips another). &#8220;I did so more
+than once, but that does not kill a man&#8212;and you will not have murdered him.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nevertheless, I was the cause of the brave fellow&#8217;s death. It occurred during a carriage drive. We had sold the beautiful
+greys&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What! that splendid pair. My poor father!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We had a new horse which we wished to run with the only one left us. Harry wanted to try them himself for the first time,
+but I took it 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 rejoicing in my triumph; but still Harry
+shook his head, and recommended me to be prudent. The sky became clouded, and a thunderstorm threatened us. In my folly, I
+urged the horses on still faster, though they were already taking the bits between their teeth. Harry became alarmed, and
+tried to take the reins out of my hands; <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb240" href="#pb240">240</a>]</span>but I resisted, and would not give them up. In an instant the thunder began to roll, and lightning struck right across our
+way; the horses took fright and began to rear on their hind-legs. Blount jumped off the box to go to their 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 violence of the shock
+caused me to swoon. When I was again conscious, I saw the unfortunate Blount lying on the road, crushed, with scarcely a breath
+of life left in him. Within an hour he was a corpse.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Here Francis burst into tears, and covered her face.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is a pity, Francis, a great pity,&#8221; replied Rudolf. &#8220;For your sake, I would that I had been the victim of this accident
+rather than Blount. You would have had one burden less to bear. Don&#8217;t take it so to heart, my child. I have seen others fall
+from their horses never to rise again alive. What can we do? Wait till our turn comes, and not make life miserable by thinking
+too much about it. But,&#8221; said he, &#8220;you have not yet told me where I am to sleep. Must I go back to the ruin? It is a cold
+place, and doubly so when I think of the parental castle close by.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb241" href="#pb241">241</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;The truth is, I cannot offer you a room, Rudolf. There is not one suitable for the purpose.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But why cannot Rudolf share mine?&#8221; I asked; &#8220;I will give up my bed to him.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No,&#8221; he replied quickly; &#8220;I will be content with the sofa, if Francis will consent to my staying here.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Very well,&#8221; she answered; &#8220;only you must promise that to-morrow, before daybreak, you will be far away. It is your father&#8217;s
+birthday, and there will be many visitors at the Castle.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I will start early, I promise you, Francis.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I will once more trust to your word of honour. And now good-bye. It is time for me to go; otherwise my absence will
+be remarked upon by the gentlemen of the house.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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 veritable Yankee uncle. I have not discovered a gold mine. Accept at least what I can return to you.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>And he spread out the American greenbacks before her.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Are they real ones, Rudolf?&#8221; she asked in a grave tone.
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb242" href="#pb242">242</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;By heavens, Francis, what do you mean by such a question? I have committed many follies in my life&#8212;I have been a fool, a
+ne&#8217;er-do-weel, a spendthrift, I am a deserter&#8212;but a forger of false bank-notes! Francis, could you suspect me of such infamy?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wish I had only suspicions, Rudolf; unfortunately I have the proofs.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The proofs!&#8221; he cried, in a sorrowful tone of voice; &#8220;but that&#8217;s impossible.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What am I to think of the false letters of exchange in which you forged your father&#8217;s signature? We have got them under lock
+and key, these terrible proofs, and they have cost us dear. I have pardoned this fault with the rest, Rudolf; but facts are
+facts.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is impossible, I tell you!&#8221; he answered with firmness. &#8220;There must be some terrible mistake in this case, and I trust
+you will assist me in clearing it up. If my father believes that of me, I am not surprised he should rejoice at my death,
+nor am I astonished you despise me. However, I solemnly protest to you by all that&#8217;s dear to me, I am innocent, Francis.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yet these bills were presented to Baron von Zwenken, and we paid them to prevent a lawsuit. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb243" href="#pb243">243</a>]</span>It could not have affected you very much, for you were in America; but my grandfather would have been obliged to retire from
+the army.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Francis, you are possessed of good, sound sense. How dared I have committed such an offence just at the time I was in hiding
+near Zutphen, at the moment when you were so generously raising funds for my enterprise in America; nay, at the moment when
+my sincerest desire was to carry my father&#8217;s forgiveness with me into exile? Show me these accursed bills, and I will prove
+my innocence.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They are in the General&#8217;s possession; I cannot get at them to show you them.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If we had them here, I would soon prove to you that it is impossible for me, with my wretched handwriting, to imitate the
+fine and regular hand of my father. What is your opinion, Mr. Leopold?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I believe what you say,&#8221; I answered.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah, that&#8217;s a relief; it does me good!&#8221; he murmured, his eyes filling with tears. &#8220;My father has been accustomed to spend
+his leave in fashionable watering-places; is it not possible for him there to have made the acquaintance of some wretch wicked
+enough to serve him such a turn?&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb244" href="#pb244">244</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;For the last few years the General has not been from home, except one winter which he spent in Arnheim.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Can Rolf have done it?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, don&#8217;t suspect Rolf; he never had any education, but he&#8217;s the honestest man living, and he would pluck out an eye rather
+than cause the old General any trouble.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then I don&#8217;t know whom to suspect. Now take these notes, Francis&#8212;they are real, I assure you; take them as a proof you still
+believe my word.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I believe you, Rudolf; but I think you have more need of them than I have.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind me; I have a good position now: first rider in the Great Equestrian Circus of Mr. Stonehouse, of Baltimore, with
+a salary of two hundred dollars a month&#8212;is it not splendid? You see I have not lost my old love for horses. Formerly they
+cost me much money; now they bring me in a living.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, Rudolf, you might have sunk lower; your business demands courage and address. But I will not accept your money; I never
+take back what I have given. To-morrow morning we shall see each <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb245" href="#pb245">245</a>]</span>other again. You need not jump from the balcony and scale the garden wall; I will let you out myself.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah! you wish to make sure of my departure&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have already said I would trust to your promise. Good night, gentlemen.&#8221;
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb246" href="#pb246">246</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e2933" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XXVIII.</h2>
+<p>She was scarcely out of the room, when Rudolf, who had drained the bottle, began in his usual tone of banter&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know whether I ought to congratulate you, Mr. Leopold, but I am firmly convinced our charming Major has found her
+colonel.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I only shrugged my shoulders; for I felt a repugnance to making Francis a subject of conversation with such a fellow.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you imagine I have no eyes? I know the women, I can assure you. I have come across all sorts, and all sizes and colours,
+in my vagabond life; and my niece, though she were a thousand times Major Frank, is still a woman&#8212;a woman with a man&#8217;s heart,
+as good Queen Bess used to say of <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb247" href="#pb247">247</a>]</span>herself. I don&#8217;t know what you intend to do, but it appears to me you have only to propose&#8212;
+
+
+</p>
+<div class="&#xA; poem&#xA; " lang="fr">
+<p class="line" style=""><span>&#8216;Et bient&ocirc;t on verra l&#8217;infante
+</span></p>
+<p class="line" style=""><span>Au bras de son heureux vainqueur.&#8217;</span></p>
+</div>
+<p>She is smitten by you, that&#8217;s certain! Why, she&#8217;s like a thoroughbred horse. With much patience, much attention, and a firm
+hand that knows when to be gentle, so one succeeds. As for myself, I was always too rash, too impatient. <i>These gracious devils</i> soon perceive it, and once they know it, you are thrown&#8212;there&#8217;s no help for you. After all, perhaps I am mistaken,&#8221; he said,
+seeing I remained silent; &#8220;otherwise I would add that I hope you are rich. Her grandfather is ruined&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And by whom?&#8221; I interposed; a little hard upon him, I confess, but his volubility had become insupportable.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;By whom? that&#8217;s the question. I have contributed my share, I acknowledge, yet not more than my own fortune which came to
+me from my mother, as the eldest and only son. John Mordaunt could tell us something if he were alive. He got his wife&#8217;s fortune
+when they were married, and Francis ought to have had something when she came of age; that <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb248" href="#pb248">248</a>]</span>is if anything were left, for they lived in style&#8212;yes, a style that would have run through any amount. I was sent off to the
+Werve with my tutor, for I had begun to understand and to make observations. After the death of my sister I was never invited
+to the house of John Mordaunt. But perhaps it will not interest you to listen to my old stories?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Certainly, I should much like to hear an account of your adventures.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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 Breda because he was prejudiced against it. He insisted upon
+my studying law at Leyden: this, he said, would lead to a fortune. Ah, I have found a fortune!&#8221; he repeated, with a bitter
+laugh. &#8220;Since I was sent to study for my father&#8217;s pleasure, I thought it only right to seek my own; and, as he made me a fair
+allowance, I was soon noted as the wildest and most extravagant of students. I kept my horses and a Tilbury, and ran up enormous
+bills. Still I attended those lectures which interested me, and I had just put on a &#8216;coach&#8217; for the final examinations, when
+my <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb249" href="#pb249">249</a>]</span>father lost a lawsuit against my Aunt Roselaer. The supplies were stopped, and I left college without having passed my examination
+as Master in the Law. My father&#8217;s interests obtained for me a place in the financial world, but with the condition I should
+marry a rich heiress. The misfortune was, the heiress in question was of an over-ripe age, with a nose too red for my taste,
+and I neglected her. My father grew furious, and declared he would discard me. Moreover, I could not settle down to the regular
+routine of a counting-house for several hours a day, and sometimes extra work in the evening after dinner. I found in the
+office an old clerk, a regular old stager, who had sat on the same stool at the same desk for twenty years without a chance
+of promotion. This is 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 clerk started off with the cash-box.
+I was of course held responsible, and my father&#8217;s guarantee was forfeited.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I dare say the whole of Francis&#8217; remaining fortune was swallowed up by this affair and a lawsuit arising <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb250" href="#pb250">250</a>]</span>out of it. What could I do now? I had a good voice, and I proposed to go to some music academy abroad, and return as an opera
+singer. My father would not consent to this, and told me the best thing I could do was to enlist in the ranks as a common
+soldier. I caught at this idea in the hope of being promoted to the position of an officer at no distant date; but I had never
+been habituated to discipline. I was sent to a small fortress on the frontiers; Rolf was my lieutenant, and he did 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. One fine
+morning I walked off altogether. I was caught, and I wounded an under-officer in self-defence; the charge against me was as
+clear as the light of day. But I succeeded in breaking out of prison. I own I was not very strictly guarded, and Francis,
+as I afterwards learnt, had done her utmost to facilitate my escape. Again I was free as the air; but I must live. I tried
+everything. I gave lessons in French and in Latin to little German boys, and I taught the little Fr&auml;uleins music and singing;
+I was even appointed private singer to an Austrian princess, who was deaf, and imagined that <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb251" href="#pb251">251</a>]</span>my voice resembled Roger&#8217;s. I wandered about with a travelling opera company, and sang myself hoarse in the open air. I have
+been coachman to a baron, and travelled for a house in the wine trade, but when they wanted to send me to Holland I had to
+give up the post. Afterwards I was waiter at an inn, billiard-marker, valet to the secretary of a Polish count, who, appreciating
+my ability at the noble game of billiards, took me to Warsaw, and hastened to initiate me into his plans for the &#8216;Independence
+of Poland.&#8217; As a matter of course, his enterprise was unsuccessful; but he got sent to Siberia, and I myself was kept in prison
+for some weeks because I refused to give evidence against him. Again I found myself thrown on the wide world without a penny
+in my pocket. But I will not weary you with a recital of all I have done and suffered. Perhaps the best thing, and the simplest,
+for me to have done, would have been to plunge into the Rhine and stay at the bottom; but I have always had a repugnance to
+suicide, and, besides, I have always been blest with a fund of good spirits and health. I now made a tour of the German watering-places
+from north to south, getting along as best I <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb252" href="#pb252">252</a>]</span>could, and changing my name very often. Once I was imprisoned with a Moldavian prince accused of murder, but I was let go,
+as I could prove my connection with the prince was posterior to the crime. A report then got abroad in Holland that I was
+dead, and I skilfully man&#339;uvred to obtain credence for it. At last, weary of my adventurous life, I heard how a member of
+our family had succeeded in America, and I decided to try my luck there; but I must have money. I flattered myself that after
+ten years my father would consent to do something for me. I wrote to Francis. The answer was not encouraging. My father threatened,
+if I dared to cross the frontier, he would hand me over to a court-martial. I thought Francis said this only to frighten me.
+I came to Zutphen, well disguised, and there I was convinced she had told me the truth. Francis, poor soul, was the only person
+who took pity on me, and you know already what it cost her. And when I think she could believe me to be guilty of forgery!
+Oh, the fact is I would not make her more unhappy by telling her what I suspect&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What then?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Listen; I have my weaknesses, but I have never <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb253" href="#pb253">253</a>]</span>been ruled by passions. I am not &#8216;passion&#8217;s slave.&#8217; Wine, play, and pleasant company have run away with my money, and in some
+respects I am no more than a great baby; but a real passion, a tyrannical passion, capable of making me a great man or a great
+malefactor, such a passion I have never known. Some one in our family, on the contrary, has been ruled by such a passion;
+and many things I observed in my boyhood without thinking much about them. But you are a discreet man, otherwise Francis would
+not confide in you as she has done; and, besides, you are a relation of the family&#8212;it is better you should be warned.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>After a pause&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Know then that amongst all the trades I tried in Germany, I have had the honour to be <i>croupier</i> in a gaming-house. <span class="corr" id="xd0e2989" title="Source: Their">There</span>, unrecognized by my unfortunate father, I have seen him play with a violence of passion of which you can form no idea; and,
+believe me, in spite of all my faults, it is in that way both his own and Francis&#8217;s fortune have been lost. I would have thrown
+myself at his feet, and besought him not to precipitate himself deeper into this abyss; but my position prevented me. Still,
+I <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb254" href="#pb254">254</a>]</span>watched him without his knowing it, and I soon found out for a certainty that he borrowed money of a Dutch banker, to whom
+he gave bills on Francis&#8217;s property;&#8212;and, you see, rather than confess this to her, he has accused me&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But such conduct is abominable!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah! passions do not reason. I was far away, and my name was already sullied. I only desire to clear myself in Francis&#8217;s opinion.
+But to conclude my history: I was not more lucky in the New World than I had been in Europe; I was shipwrecked and lost my
+all before I could land at New York. I then went to the far West without meeting with anything which promised me a future;
+in short, I felt quite happy when I made the acquaintance of Mr. Stonehouse, who engaged me to accompany his circus to Europe.
+And so it has come about that I once more tread my native earth under the protection of the American flag. Once so near the
+Werve, I was seized with an irresistible desire to see the old place again. My satisfaction and reception have not been very
+flattering, as you have witnessed; but I will keep my promise to Francis, cost me what it may. And now good night.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb255" href="#pb255">255</a>]</span></p>
+<p>Without awaiting my answer he threw himself at full length on the sofa, and soon gave me auricular evidence that he was enjoying
+the profoundest slumber. I had nothing better to do than follow his example. When I opened my eyes in the morning he had disappeared,
+but he had left his pocket-book and the notes on the table.
+
+</p>
+<p>After mature reflection I came to the conclusion that his surmises were right, and that the father had defamed his own son
+to escape the remonstrances of a granddaughter.
+
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb256" href="#pb256">256</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e3004" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XXIX.</h2>
+<p>When I began to reflect on the coming day, I remembered that it would be necessary for me to congratulate my uncle on his
+birthday; and I felt it would require a stretch of the forms of politeness to do this in a becoming manner. It occurred to
+me now that if Francis could only see through that little glass window in my breast, she would have the best of the argument
+in future on the subject of the conventionalities of society; for I confess to you, dear William, I had become a convert to
+Aunt Sophia&#8217;s opinions with regard to this same General von Zwenken, and now I admired her prudence in preventing her fortune
+from falling into such hands.
+
+</p>
+<p>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 manor imposed upon <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb257" href="#pb257">257</a>]</span>him; and one which he performed as he would have done any other duty laid down by the military code. The clergyman was old,
+monotonous, and wearisome. The greater part of the congregation went to sleep under the effects of his sermon. Francis took
+up a Bible and pretended to read, whilst it seemed to me the wakeful part of the congregation paid more attention to us than
+to their minister; and the remarks they whispered about one to another struck me as not being very favourable to us. The General
+alone kept his eyes fixed on the preacher throughout the sermon; but whether his mind was so intently occupied with the subject
+matter, I will not take upon myself to say.
+
+</p>
+<p>On our return the f&ecirc;te commenced. The village schoolmaster brought up his scholars, who recited a string of verses glorifying
+the Baron as patron of the school, though I doubt whether he had ever entered it. And I believe the same verses had done duty
+for several generations on similar occasions, when the owners of the Werve admitted the master and his scholars to an audience.
+
+</p>
+<p>Then came the Pauwelsens from the farm, who still address the General as their landlord; after <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb258" href="#pb258">258</a>]</span>them some of the villagers. All these people were regaled with cake and chocolate. The burgomaster<a class="noteref" id="xd0e3019src" href="#xd0e3019">1</a> called in his turn; he was a regular rustic, and paid a good deal more attention to me than to the General. He evidently
+saw in me a mystery which excited his curiosity.
+
+</p>
+<p>Captain Willibald also put in an appearance, and after congratulating my uncle, handed him a box of cigars, saying&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They are the old sort; I know your taste exactly.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Certainly you do, my good fellow; it is an agreeable present. Here in the country one must lay in a stock. What say you,
+Leo?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;To my shame, I must own I did not know what to buy you on such an occasion; but I will take care to make up for this omission
+of mine very soon.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Uncle rejoined in a whisper&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The one thing I should like you to do is to reconcile yourself with your uncle, the Minister for Foreign Affairs.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Happily it was not necessary for me to reply to this remark. Francis entered the room, and quite <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb259" href="#pb259">259</a>]</span>charmed me by her manner. She was cordial to all the visitors&#8212;I thought I had never seen a better hostess. I saw how amiable
+she could be when quite at her ease, and not beset by fears of what envious tongues might say as soon as her back was turned.
+
+</p>
+<p>The dinner was beautifully arranged. The Captain had put on his full-dress uniform, the General his also, and I had given
+some extra attention to my toilette. Francis was dressed plainly as usual, without much regard for the day or the visitors;
+and yet there was something original in her style of dress, an elegance which seemed to heighten her beauty considerably.
+I was struck by the richness and weight of the silver, all engraved with the family coat-of-arms. I felt sure that the Captain
+and Francis had put their money together to get it from the pawnbrokers for the occasion. At table she took her place between
+the clergyman and myself. The village lawyer, the postmaster, and some rough-looking country farmers, together with the churchwardens
+and several members of the local board, had been invited to the dinner. Rolf took his place in the midst of them, and soon
+loosened their tongues by <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb260" href="#pb260">260</a>]</span>pointing out the various sorts of wine, and filling up their glasses with no sparing hand. Even the clergyman I found to be
+much more entertaining at table than in the pulpit, and the conversation never flagged. Fritz, assisted for the nonce by one
+of the sons of farmer Pauwelsen, had donned a livery which I felt pretty certain was the uniform of an officer metamorphosed.
+He was more attentive, and more particular than ever in his manner of serving every one; it seemed to me as if he had something
+on his mind, he was so solemn and serious. In spite of myself I could not help thinking of the utter ruin this once opulent
+house had fallen into, and of the unhappy son banished from his father&#8217;s table. As for the General, I had never yet seen him
+in such good spirits. The table so well served, the appetizing dishes, and the wines which he had such a delicate manner of
+tasting&#8212;all this just suited his epicurean habits. Afterwards we drank coffee in the garden, and Rolf insisted upon our drinking
+a bowl of May wine; for he was most anxious to display his skill in the composition of this very famous German beverage.
+
+</p>
+<p>This completed the entertainment, for the country <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb261" href="#pb261">261</a>]</span>people are accustomed to retire early; and the evening was still young when a great lumbering coach drew up before the hall
+door, to convey the visitors back to the village.
+
+</p>
+<p>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 to the Pauwelsens with some of the dainties for the old bed-ridden grandmother. And her first care on her return was
+to inquire the whereabouts of her grandfather.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He must not be left alone for a moment to-day,&#8221; she said to me; &#8220;I have not been at my ease all this day.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Because of Rudolf?&#8221; I inquired.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can never be sure what whim he will take into his head next. But you are sure that he is gone?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Certainly, before I was awake; but he left his pocket-book on the table. I will take it to him to-morrow.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t do anything of the sort, I am sure he will come back; this thought has pursued me like my shadow all this day. But
+tell me what you thought of my dinner.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb262" href="#pb262">262</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;You were a charming hostess, Francis. How I should like to see you mistress of a well-furnished house of your own!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And one in which it would not be necessary to take the silver out of pawn when I expected visitors,&#8221; she replied bitterly.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My dear cousin, I know this must have been a bitter trouble to you,&#8221; I answered compassionately.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;This I feel the most humiliating of all; but I did it to please my old grandfather, upon whom I can be severe enough at times
+about his weaknesses. Rolf, who in spite of his faults is the best-natured fellow in the world, went to the town of&#8212;&#8212;, and
+we polished it up ourselves. We would not let Fritz into the secret.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And to me, Francis, to whom you owe nothing, you have given much pleasure, by surprising me with this little Russian leather
+case&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t mention such a trifle. I only wished to mark the day on which you became my friend.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, indeed, your friend for life,&#8221; I answered, gently drawing her arm within mine. This word had given me courage, it rendered
+me bold. &#8220;I thank you for that word, Francis; but it is not yet <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb263" href="#pb263">263</a>]</span>enough. Let me be to you more than a friend; permit me&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;More than a friend?&#8221; she cried, visibly agitated. &#8220;I beseech you, Leopold, let us not aim at what cannot be realized, nor
+destroy this relationship which is dear to me, by striving after the impossible. Promise me seriously, Leopold, you will not
+mention this subject to me again, or use any such language to me.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>This answer seemed very like a formal refusal, and yet I remarked an emotion in her voice which to a certain extent reassured
+me.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And why should it be impossible, Francis?&#8221; I resumed, mustering up all my courage.
+
+</p>
+<p>This time I got no answer; she uttered a shriek and rushed off to the summer-house, I following her. There a frightful spectacle
+awaited us.
+
+</p>
+<p>Rudolf, the miserable Rudolf, was on his knees before his father, kissing his hand. The latter was seated on the bench, to
+all appearance motionless. Suddenly Rudolf uttered a cry of terror and despair.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I warned you,&#8221; said Francis; &#8220;you have been the death of your father.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, Francis, no, he has fainted. But I found <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb264" href="#pb264">264</a>]</span>him in this condition; I swear to you by all that&#8217;s dear to me that I found him thus.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>The fact was that the General had become stiff and motionless as a corpse. The trellis work alone had prevented his falling
+to the ground. His face had turned a little blue, his eyes were fixed and wide open, and his features distorted. Francis rubbed
+his temples with the contents of her scent-bottle. This friction revived him a little; but prompt medical aid was necessary.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Tell me where the village doctor lives,&#8221; cried Rudolf, beside himself in his agitation, &#8220;that I may fly to him.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It will be better to send Fritz,&#8221; replied Francis, in a cold, decided tone.
+
+</p>
+<p>I ran off in search of the old and faithful servant, to whom I explained the state of affairs.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The General has had an attack!&#8221; he exclaimed, with tears in his eyes, &#8220;and it is my fault!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How so?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I ought not to have allowed it&#8212;but I&#8212;I could not drive away the only son of the house.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course not, but keep your own counsel and make haste.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb265" href="#pb265">265</a>]</span></p>
+<p>And the old soldier started off at a speed I had thought him little capable of.
+
+</p>
+<p>When I returned the General was in the same condition; Rudolf, leaning against a tree, was wringing his hands.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That will do no good,&#8221; Francis said to him; &#8220;help me to carry him to his room; Leopold will give us a hand.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s not necessary&#8212;he is my father, and it is my place to carry him.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>In an instant he took up the old man with so much gentleness, and yet with such firmness of muscle, that you would have thought
+he carried a babe. He refused my assistance even up the staircase. He laid the old Baron on his bed, with his eyes still fixed,
+and quite unconscious.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thank God! there he is safe,&#8221; said Rudolf, falling into a chair. &#8220;I have had many a hard piece of work in my life, but never
+one in which my heart was so deeply concerned. May I stay here until he regains consciousness?&#8221; he asked of Francis like a
+supplicant.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I feel that it is impossible for you to leave at such a moment,&#8221; she answered; &#8220;but we must call in Rolf, and if he sees
+you here&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb266" href="#pb266">266</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, if he makes the slightest to do I&#8217;ll twist his neck about like a chicken&#8217;s.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>It occurred to me that the more simple and prudent plan would be for me to go and make the Captain acquainted with what had
+happened, and obtain his promise to keep silent and to pretend not to know anything about Rudolf&#8217;s presence. He was enjoying
+his after-dinner nap when I found him, and I was afraid he would have an attack of apoplexy when I told him about the coming
+of Rudolf. His anger seemed to make him forget the gravity of the General&#8217;s position. I endeavoured to make him understand
+that the accident might possibly be attributed to a fit of cold, caused by drinking May wine in the cool of the evening so
+shortly after the copious dinner of which the General had partaken; but he 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 have him forthwith arrested as a deserter.
+
+</p>
+<p>It was only with the greatest difficulty that I could get this fixed idea out of his head. I succeeded, however, at length
+in proving to him that the duty which he owed to humanity far surpassed all others <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb267" href="#pb267">267</a>]</span>at present; that it would be an unheard-of cruelty to arrest the son now at the bedside of a father, dying, for all we knew;
+that even Francis herself had consented to his staying, and that we were in duty bound to cast a veil over the family secrets.
+Finally the inborn good-nature of Rolf triumphed, and we went together to the General&#8217;s room.
+
+</p>
+<p>The doctor had just arrived. He considered the case serious, and said it would be necessary to bleed the patient. Fritz and
+Rolf were left to aid the doctor and undress the invalid. Meantime I led Francis into a cabinet where Rudolf had taken refuge
+and was breathlessly awaiting the doctor&#8217;s verdict.
+
+</p>
+<p>As we had left the door ajar we heard the patient recover consciousness, and call for Francis in a strangely altered voice,
+and address questions to her in a frightened tone; which questions the doctor, not understanding, put down to delirium, though
+they made it clear enough to us that he had seen and recognized Rudolf, although he mentioned no names.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If the patient is not kept strictly quiet, I fear it will turn to brain fever,&#8221; said the doctor on leaving.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Would you like to see the person you referred to <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb268" href="#pb268">268</a>]</span>just now?&#8221; I asked the General in a whisper, as soon as we were alone.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, indeed! I know he is here; he must leave in peace, and at once, never more to appear before my eyes, or&#8212;I will curse
+him.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>We could hear a suppressed sigh in the neighbouring cabinet. Rudolf had understood.
+
+</p>
+<p>Rolf and Francis undertook the duty of watching at the bedside of the patient during the night; and I led Rudolf to my room&#8212;I
+may say supported him, for the strong man reeled. He threw himself on the sofa and wept like a child.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is finished,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I could not, after all, have expected anything else, and I have my deserts.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Francis was in the right, you see; you ought not to have broken your promise.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is not my fault I broke it. Fritz caught me this morning just as I was scaling the garden wall, and I was obliged to make
+myself known to him, otherwise he would have given me in charge as a housebreaker. He then offered to hide me in an unoccupied
+room on the ground floor until to-night. Thence, unseen, I could watch the movements of my father; and when his guests were
+gone, I saw him <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb269" href="#pb269">269</a>]</span>walking alone towards the summer-house, where he sat down, and, as I thought, he had fallen asleep. Then it was I ventured
+out of my hiding-place and approached him. It appears, however, he must both have seen me and recognized me. But now I have
+said enough, and this time I will go away for good. God bless him! May the Almighty strengthen dear Francis.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I persuaded him to spend this night with me, and try to get a little rest. From time to time I went to make inquiries about
+the General, and towards morning I was able to inform Rudolf that his father had passed a fair night and was now sleeping
+calmly; he could therefore leave with his mind more at ease. I accompanied him a part of the way outside the grounds, and
+promised to keep him informed of the state of his father&#8217;s health. He gave me his address, as I was to write to him under
+the name of Richard Smithson, and he then parted from me with the most passionate expressions of gratitude for the little
+kindnesses I had been able to show him.
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb270" href="#pb270">270</a>]</span></p>
+<div class="footnotes">
+<hr class="fnsep">
+<p class="footnote"><span class="label"><a class="noteref" href="#xd0e3019src" id="xd0e3019">1</a></span> In Holland every village has its burgomaster, who acts as chairman of the local board.
+</p>
+</div>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e3158" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XXX.</h2>
+<p>The General escaped for this time, but his recovery was slow. He was weak, and both his arms and legs seemed as if they were
+paralyzed. I allowed 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 two had to be constantly at the side of the convalescent, for Rolf had better intentions than judgment.
+He let the General have just what he asked for, and would soon have brought on a relapse if we had not watched them both.
+Francis was very thankful to have me with her; and yet she could not be satisfied that it was possible for me to spare so
+much time from all my business. She little suspected that my most pressing and agreeable occupation was to remain at her side
+and win her affections. Her devotion to her grandfather was <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb271" href="#pb271">271</a>]</span>sublime; she forgot all the wrongs he had done her, and only reproached herself for having caused him pain by her plain speaking.
+Notwithstanding, as the old man gradually grew better, she was soon again convinced that a certain amount of firmness was
+absolutely necessary to manage him. During his illness he had requested me, in his first lucid moments, to receive and open
+all his letters. And in this way I became aware that he was engaged in &#8220;risky&#8221; speculations, and that he was making debts
+unknown to Francis. When he was well enough to talk on such a subject, I ventured to remonstrate with him, and to point out
+the consequences of persisting in such a course, both for himself and for Francis. He promised me he would give up all such
+speculations, and excused the past on the grounds that he wished to leave Francis something when he died. I was to make the
+best conditions I could for him in the sale of 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, had lost all patience. And I was not yet sure of Francis. Weakness on
+my part, you will say; but no, it was delicacy&#8212;it was the fear of having to cut short my <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb272" href="#pb272">272</a>]</span>stay. I was afraid of the obstinacy of Francis&#8212;that she would not consent to a marriage even though I might have won her heart.
+I was constantly calling to mind that terrible sentence she had uttered in the garden: &#8220;You will not use such language to
+me again.&#8221; I shuddered at the very idea that a new attempt on my part might draw from her lips a definite and decided <i>No</i>.
+
+</p>
+<p>The old General had discovered my intentions&#8212;of that I was convinced. He was continually insisting upon a reconciliation with
+my uncle the minister, and that I should prepare Francis for the sale of the Werve. On this latter point, I assured him Francis
+would listen to reason, and, armed with his power of attorney, I went over to Zutphen to arrange the preliminaries with Overberg.
+Van Beek was growing less and less manageable; he had sent in reams of stamped paper to Overberg, and the interest on several
+of the mortgages was six months over due; in fact the situation of affairs had become desperate. I charged Overberg to write
+to Van Beek that the Werve would be sold, in all probability, at the same time as my marriage with Francis took place; and
+I thought this would be enough to keep the lawyers <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb273" href="#pb273">273</a>]</span>quiet for a few days longer. I brought back some little presents for the General and Rolf, who were both highly pleased; and
+a plain set of earrings and a brooch for Francis, as the time had not yet arrived when I could offer her the diamonds I intended
+for my bride.
+
+</p>
+<p>On my return, to my great surprise, I found Francis sadder and more anxious than I had left her in the morning. She accepted
+my present, but seemed to be little interested in it. She retired early, and I followed her example, as I did not find Rolf&#8217;s
+company particularly interesting. Most of the night I spent in reflection and conjectures as to this change in Francis; for
+I had observed tears in her eyes when she bade me good-night. Once more I made up my mind that the coming day should put an
+end to all my doubts. At breakfast, Francis, less depressed than the night before, told us she had received a letter from
+Dr. D., of Utrecht, who gave her very encouraging news of the invalid in whom she was so much interested. I wished to propose
+to her 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 met Francis in the hall, <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb274" href="#pb274">274</a>]</span>arrayed in her riding-habit. This time she had put on an elegant hat and blue veil, and was waiting for her beautiful horse
+Tancredo, which the son of the farmer led up to the door saddled.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Give up your ride this morning, to oblige me,&#8221; I said to her, with a certain tone of impatience in my voice that could not
+escape her.
+
+</p>
+<p>She looked at me in surprise and silence as she played with her riding-whip.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You can take your ride an hour later,&#8221; I insisted.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have a long ride before me, and I must be back before dinner.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then put it off until to-morrow. This is the first opportunity we have had to take a long walk since your grandfather fell
+ill. Don&#8217;t refuse me this pleasure.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You always like to disarrange my plans, Leo.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;To-day I have good reasons for doing so, Francis; believe me, to-morrow it will be too late.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Really? Your words sound threatening,&#8221; she said, attempting to smile. &#8220;Well, you shall have your way,&#8221; and she threw aside
+her riding-whip pettishly. &#8220;You&#8217;ll have to wait until I change my dress; I cannot walk in my riding-habit.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb275" href="#pb275">275</a>]</span></p>
+<p>Tancredo was sent back to the stable, and in much less time than I could have imagined my cousin reappeared in a very neat
+walking-costume.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And where shall we go?&#8221; she asked.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, into the wood, I suppose.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s right, the weather is splendid: we can walk as far as the round point, and rest there on the rustic bench which you
+perhaps remember.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>And so we walked through the great lane towards the wood, silent, just because 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. She herself seemed to have a thousand other
+things to talk about beside the one I wished to come to. At length I tried to change the subject by saying it would be necessary
+for me to fix a day for my return to the Hague.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I was expecting it, Leopold.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And are you sorry I am going away?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I ought to say &#8216;No,&#8217; by way of opposition, which is the only suitable answer to such a foolish question.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But I&#8212;will come back, if you would like it.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, Leopold, I should not like it. And I still <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb276" href="#pb276">276</a>]</span>believe you would have done better to go away the day I first advised you to do so.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Have I been a burden to you, Francis?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You know better than that. You know I have much to thank you for: you have 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 have spoilt me, and I shall feel my loneliness
+doubled when you are gone.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not for long, though, for I will come back soon&#8212;with&#8212;with a trousseau!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And, in the name of goodness, for whom?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;For whom, indeed, but my well-beloved cousin Francis Mordaunt!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s a poor, very poor sort of jest, sir; you know very well that your cousin Mordaunt has no intentions of ever marrying.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Listen to me, Francis! When we first met on the heath, and you told me your intentions on this point, I had no reasons for
+trying to dissuade you from them; but to-day, as you yourself know, the case is different. You will recollect the freedom
+with which I have pointed out to you any defects which I considered a blemish on your noble character. Do <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb277" href="#pb277">277</a>]</span>you think I should have taken such a liberty if I had not conceived the idea, fostered the hope, of your one day consenting
+to become&#8212;my wife?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>The word, the all-important word, was at last said.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, indeed, Leo,&#8221; she began with a profound sigh, &#8220;since you force me to speak seriously, I must remind you of my last
+warning, &#8216;not to use such language to me;&#8217; it cannot, it may not be.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And why not, Francis? Did I deceive myself when I thought I was not altogether indifferent to you?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>She turned aside her face in silence, but I was sure I heard something like a suppressed sigh.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is it possible you are not disengaged?&#8221; I inquired, taking her hand gently and placing myself before her so that I could
+look into her eyes.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Disengaged! Certainly I am disengaged,&#8221; she answered bitterly. &#8220;I have done my best to remain so; and I have all along told
+you I must be independent. It is necessary.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah, I comprehend, Francis!&#8221; I exclaimed, carried away by an absurd jealousy; &#8220;you are still waiting for your Lord William.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I?&#8221; she returned with passion; &#8220;I waiting for <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb278" href="#pb278">278</a>]</span>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&#8217;t humiliate me by pretending to be jealous of Lord William. Could I have told you the history of his
+stay with us if I still loved him?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is it then only a whim of Major Frank, who will surrender to no man, but prefers his savage kind of independence?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t torment me in this way, Leopold. You can break my heart, but you cannot overcome my objections.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then I will discover this mysterious power which enthrals you,&#8221; I cried, full of anger and pain.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You already know the duties I have to fulfil, Leopold. Why should you throw yourself into this abyss of misfortunes and miseries,
+in which I am sinking? and I shall never be able to get out of it my whole life.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wish to know your miseries, my dear Francis, to share them with you, and help you to bear them. We will overcome them together&#8212;be
+assured of that, my adored&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Passion was getting the mastery over me; I caught <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb279" href="#pb279">279</a>]</span>her in my arms and pressed her to my breast. She made no resistance, but, as if wearied with the struggle, she rested her
+head on my shoulder&#8212;her head so charming in its luxuriancy of golden curls. Her eyes were closed and her cheeks were crimson.
+I thought myself in the seventh heaven.
+
+</p>
+<p>Suddenly a croaking voice broke the profound silence of the wood&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t let me disturb you. Ah! Now Missy has a lover, it is not surprising she neglects the little boy.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Such were the words we heard close to us, uttered by a hoarse voice and in the coarsest of country dialects.
+
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb280" href="#pb280">280</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e3272" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XXXI.</h2>
+<p>Francis, pale with terror, disengaged herself from my embrace, and stepped forward a few paces. As for myself, I stood as
+if thunder-struck.
+
+</p>
+<p>The person who had spoken these offensive words, and who had doubtless been watching our movements for some time, was an old
+peasant woman bearing a strong resemblance to the witches in Macbeth. Her sharp black eyes, bare skinny arms, as red and dry
+as a boiled crab, her face wrinkled and tanned, her blue checked handkerchief tied over her white cap, and the stick on which
+she supported herself, all contributed to call up before my mind one of those creatures our ancestors would have burned alive.
+I confess I wished her such a fate when she advanced towards Francis and said, with her ingrained impertinence&#8212;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb281" href="#pb281">281</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, miss&#8212;now I see what you have been so busy about the last five weeks, that you have never once had time to come and see
+the child.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My grandfather has been ill, Mrs. Jool.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, rich people&#8217;s sickness&#8212;there&#8217;s no great danger; but the young gent there, that&#8217;s another thing, eh? I tell you all the
+village is talking about it.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;About what, Mrs. Jool?&#8221; asked Francis, indignantly.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Your neglecting the child for&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Listen to me, Mrs. Jool,&#8221; interrupted Francis, in a calm and firm tone: &#8220;neither you nor the village have any right to interfere
+with my business.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hum! the month is up, and a week gone in the second, and when Trineke<a class="noteref" id="xd0e3294src" href="#xd0e3294">1</a> is not paid the boy suffers for it.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You shall be paid to-morrow; but I warn you if the child suffer on account of a week&#8217;s delay in payment, either at your hands
+or your daughter&#8217;s, I will take him away from you. To-morrow, or the day after, I shall come to see him myself, and I shall
+make inquiries of the neighbours.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb282" href="#pb282">282</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;What! You would disgrace me and my daughter by taking him away? You try it! we shall then see who is the strongest.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>And the insolent, vulgar woman set her arms akimbo, as she whined out&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is what one gets for defending great folks.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It has cost you no sacrifices, Mrs. Jool; for you have simply tried to make money out of your daughter&#8217;s misfortune.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And he must have shoes and socks, or else he will have to run about bare-legged in clogs like a peasant&#8217;s child.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I will provide them, Mrs. Jool; and now I have heard enough. This is the path which leads to the village.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What a hurry you&#8217;re in!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;These are private grounds; do you understand that? Now take yourself off, or&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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
+policeman for her.&#8221; And so she limped off along the path indicated, mumbling all the way.
+
+</p>
+<p>Francis then turned to me and said&#8212;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb283" href="#pb283">283</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, Leopold, this incident will serve to enlighten you; behold a power opposed to my freedom and happiness.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I understand,&#8221; I answered, trying to assume a calmness I did not possess; &#8220;I understand, Francis&#8212;you are too honest to bind
+any man to you for life, saddled as you are with such a burden. But why did you not confide this terrible secret to me sooner?
+I will attempt the impossible to save you!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But, Leopold, what are you thinking of?&#8221; she responded, quite red with emotion; &#8220;you surely do not suspect me of anything
+unworthy? You comprehend that my honour is not herein concerned, though I must suffer for the deplorable consequences of the
+fault I committed.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am listening, Francis; but, excuse me, I do not rightly understand you. Is this not a question of a child which you are
+obliged to maintain?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, certainly; and that&#8217;s not the heaviest part of the burden. I have also to maintain the mother.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Francis!&#8221; I exclaimed, in a transport of joy and relief.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now it is my turn to say I don&#8217;t understand you,&#8221; she rejoined, regarding me with an adorable simplicity. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb284" href="#pb284">284</a>]</span>&#8220;Do you think it a light charge for me, in my position, to bring up a child, and provide for its mother whom I have sent to
+a private asylum?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I thanked Heaven from the bottom of my heart that she, in her innocency, did not suspect the conclusions I had drawn from
+the words and manner of the old witch.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is the fatal consequence of my rash obstinacy with poor Harry Blount,&#8221; she continued. &#8220;You have heard me speak of the
+accident before. He was carried in a dying state into the cottage of this Mrs. Jool and her daughter. In my despair, I repeated
+several times: &#8216;It is my fault; I have killed him, I have killed him.&#8217; The daughter knelt beside Blount in the wildest agony;
+and Harry could just murmur, &#8216;My wife, my poor wife; have pity on her, Miss Francis!&#8217; I did not know until this moment that
+they were secretly married. I promised solemnly I would care for her, and even if I had made no promise I should still have
+done all I have done for her.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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
+a good match. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb285" href="#pb285">285</a>]</span>After the funeral, she made such good use of my words uttered 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,
+as to the measures we ought to take to contradict and put a stop to such slanderous charges. This, of course, did not relieve
+me of my obligations towards the daughter, in whom, very soon after the birth of her child, symptoms of insanity manifested
+themselves. The child had to be taken from her, and it was given in care to a sister of hers in the neighbouring village,
+who had just lost her youngest born. Perhaps you would imagine she took it out of sisterly charity; but no, she insisted upon
+my paying her monthly wages as I should have to do any other wet nurse. Besides, I had to do what I could for the poor mother.
+It was most fortunate for me that on the occasion of my visit to Utrecht I met with Aunt Roselaer, otherwise I could not have
+afforded the expense the mother has cost under the care of Dr. D. Mrs. Jool, not caring to live alone, went to the house of
+her married daughter under the pretext of watching over the little one; but the fact is, she would there have <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb286" href="#pb286">286</a>]</span>a better opportunity of extorting money from me, and this she does under all kinds of pretences. The child has long been weaned,
+and ought not to be left in their charge. I am always threatening 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 false charges such a change would give rise to. The mother and child
+are now costing me the greater part of my income. My grandfather finds fault with me about it, for he regards it as so much
+money thrown away. Now, Leopold, do you think I could draw a man I really loved into such a ma&euml;lstrom as this?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The man worthy to possess you, Francis, will not be drawn in, but will aid you in getting out of it.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is impossible; I will never abandon this child of Harry Blount&#8217;s.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I would never advise you to do anything of the sort. I know the way to treat such people as Mrs. Jool. The child must be
+taken away from her and brought up by respectable farmers; perhaps the Pauwelsens would take him. To-morrow I will go with
+you to the village&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb287" href="#pb287">287</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;You will only stir a wasps&#8217; nest about your ears.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, never mind; I am not afraid of a sting.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s bad enough that this woman has been playing the spy on us to-day.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;When she sees us together to-morrow she will understand that it is useless playing the spy on us any longer.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But then she will make us the talk of the country-side. You don&#8217;t know the wickedness that woman&#8217;s capable of.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, what can she say more than that we are an engaged couple? And is this not true, Francis?&#8221; I said, gently taking her
+hand in mine.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You come back to the subject again, even now you know all,&#8221; she murmured; &#8220;but you have not calculated all the troubles and
+burdens which would fall upon you: Rolf, whom we could not send away from the Werve; my grandfather with his large wants&#8212;and
+small income. Oh yes, I know you are going back to the Hague to reconcile yourself with your uncle the minister, as the General
+has advised you to do; and I understand why. But don&#8217;t do so for my sake, Leopold, for you have yourself said it would demean
+you.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb288" href="#pb288">288</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Reassure yourself on that point, Francis; I may forgive my uncle and seek to be reconciled to him, as my religion bids me;
+but never for the sake of his favours. But why so many difficulties? Don&#8217;t you see I love you, Francis; that during the last
+few days I have been at some pains to suppress my feelings, and have therein succeeded better than I gave myself credit for;
+that, now I have told you all, we must either part for ever, or I must have the assurance you will accept me as your husband?
+I desire it, Francis; I desire it with a firmness of will that despises all objections and will remove all difficulties.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Leopold,&#8221; she replied, &#8220;don&#8217;t talk to me like this. No one ever spoke to me as you have done&#8212;you make me beside myself. And
+yet I ought to resist. I don&#8217;t wish to be an obstacle in the way of your happiness, whatever it may cost me.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I took both her hands in mine. &#8220;Francis,&#8221; I said, &#8220;I love you!&#8221; This was my only answer.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You persist? Can it be? May I still be happy!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Enough, Francis; you are mine! I will never forsake you; you are mine for life!&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb289" href="#pb289">289</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;For life!&#8221; she repeated after me, becoming so pale that I was afraid she would faint. &#8220;Leopold, yes, I am yours; I put my
+trust in you, and I love you as I have never loved before&#8212;never before,&#8221; she whispered quite low.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;At last!&#8221; I cried; and pressed the first kiss of love on her lips.
+
+</p>
+<p>I need not tell you we came in too late for luncheon. It is true we were not hungry. We returned to the house slowly, and
+almost in silence, and we even slackened our pace as we drew nearer the Castle. Francis, especially, seemed loath to enter.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Let us rest on the moss at the foot of this large oak tree,&#8221; she said; &#8220;it seems to me that all my misfortunes will come
+back to me as soon as I enter yonder. I cannot yet separate myself from my happiness. Oh, Leopold! I wish we could fly away
+together, that no one might interpose between us two.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We will fly away, dearest; but first we must go through certain formalities which will give us the right to appear in the
+world as man and wife, and lift up our heads with the best of them.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb290" href="#pb290">290</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;And then will follow the breakfast, the visits, and the congratulations of mean and false people, who come with a hypocritical
+smile to wish us joy, whilst behind our backs they will make a mock of the man who has dared to marry Major Frank!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, what a supposition!&#8221; I replied; &#8220;you must pay for that,&#8221; kissing her sad face into cheerfulness.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t understand,&#8221; she continued, &#8220;how people can treat so serious a subject as marriage with such lightness. The woman
+especially makes an immense sacrifice&#8212;her name, her will, her individual self; a sacrifice which I always considered it would
+be impossible for me to make, until I met you.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And now?&#8221; I asked, kneeling before her on the moss, the better to see into her beautiful eyes, which sparkled with happiness
+and tenderness.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now I have no longer so many objections,&#8221; she replied with her sweetest smile. &#8220;But do not remain in that position before
+me, Leopold. It is only acting a lie, for I foresee you will be my lord and master. But let us now go in, my dear, otherwise
+they will be alarmed about us at the Castle. They won&#8217;t know what to think of our long absence.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb291" href="#pb291">291</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Just let me say, Francis, it must be with us as Tennyson puts it&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<div class="&#xA; poem&#xA; ">
+<p class="line" style=""><span>&#8220;Sit side by side, full summed in all their powers,
+</span></p>
+<p class="line" style=""><span>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;
+</span></p>
+<p class="line" style=""><span>Self-reverent each, and reverencing each:
+</span></p>
+<p class="line" style=""><span>Distinct in individualities,
+</span></p>
+<p class="line" style=""><span>But like each other even as those who love.&#8221;</span></p>
+</div>
+<p>&#8220;Exactly my opinion!&#8221; she exclaimed, applauding the sentiment.
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb292" href="#pb292">292</a>]</span></p>
+<div class="footnotes">
+<hr class="fnsep">
+<p class="footnote"><span class="label"><a class="noteref" href="#xd0e3294src" id="xd0e3294">1</a></span> Trineke is a diminutive of Catherine.
+</p>
+</div>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e3418" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XXXII.</h2>
+<p>It was just as well we went in, for we met Rolf and Fritz, who had been sent out in search of us, as the General, though in
+a good humour, was most impatient to speak to us. When we entered his room he was arranging his papers, and did not give us
+time to announce our engagement, as we intended.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Francis,&#8221; he cried, &#8220;why did you stay out so long when I have such good news to tell you?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s just what I have to tell you, grandfather; but what can have pleased you so much? You have not been made heir to Aunt
+Roselaer&#8217;s property, have you?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It comes almost to the same thing, my child. Know then that the heir to Aunt Roselaer&#8217;s property asks your hand in marriage.
+It is one of the conditions <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb293" href="#pb293">293</a>]</span>of the will; and I believe he will be agreeable to you.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I smiled, though I found that Overberg and Van Beek had been in too great a hurry to inform the old Baron of the real state
+of affairs. I had wished to be the first to break this agreeable surprise to Francis.
+
+</p>
+<p>She stepped forward towards the General, and in a firm voice she said&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am sorry, grandfather, to disappoint you. The gentleman comes too late, for I have just promised my hand and heart to my
+cousin, Leopold van Zonshoven&#8212;and that is the good news I came to tell you.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But that&#8217;s all the better, dear child&#8212;all the better; for the heir to Aunt Roselaer&#8217;s property and your cousin Leopold van
+Zonshoven are one and the same person; and on the condition that you should marry the heir.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Francis, turning on me brusquely, cried, &#8220;It is not true, Leopold? Oh, say it is not true!&#8221; she exclaimed, violently agitated.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then I should not speak the truth,&#8221; I answered. &#8220;The only difference for you,&#8221; I continued, &#8220;is this: you thought you were
+giving your heart to a &#8216;poor <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb294" href="#pb294">294</a>]</span>gentleman,&#8217; and now, like a prince in the fairy tales, he turns out to be a millionaire. Can such a surprise be disagreeable
+to you?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not a disagreeable surprise to me&#8221;&#8212;she almost shrieked, with scintillating eyes and flushed cheeks&#8212;&#8220;to find you have put
+on a mask to deceive me! Have you not succeeded in inspiring me with esteem for you by your proud and dignified behaviour,
+and the elevated sentiments you professed? And do you think I can be happy to find that all this was but a comedy? Could a
+gentleman have treated me so? But you have deceived yourself, Jonker van Zonshoven. I gave my heart to a young man without
+fortune, whose upright and noble character I admired, and in whom I had more confidence than in myself; but for the intriguer,
+who, to seize upon my aunt&#8217;s fortune and make sure of it, has put on a disguise to win the heart of the woman he was ordered
+to marry, for this hypocrite, this pretended sage, I have nothing but&#8212;my contempt!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Be careful, Francis; I know your violent temper often causes you to say that which in cooler moments you regret; but don&#8217;t
+insult in such a manner the man you have just accepted as your husband&#8212;a man <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb295" href="#pb295">295</a>]</span>whom no one ever dared to address in such language, neither will he meekly bear it from any living being.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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 here like a spy, and carried on your mean and degrading speculations up to the very moment when you thought it impossible
+for me to retract my word? Once more, sir, I tell you, you are mistaken in my character. I will never pardon a man who has
+abused my confidence!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have not abused your confidence, Francis,&#8221; I answered, in as calm and gentle a tone as I could; &#8220;I have only been studying
+your character, and trying to gain your affections, before I would venture an avowal of my sentiments&#8212;that is all I have done.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You have been false, I tell you. How can I any longer believe in your love? 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 not as you now appear in my eyes. I will not be
+disposed of in marriage by any person dead or alive; <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb296" href="#pb296">296</a>]</span>and as for you, I refuse your offer. Do you <span class="corr" id="xd0e3459" title="Source: underderstand">understand</span> me? I refuse you!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Upon this she fell back in an armchair, pale as death.
+
+</p>
+<p>I was myself obliged to lean on the back of a chair, for I felt my legs trembling under me. Rolf, tender-hearted as ever,
+had withdrawn to a corner of the room with tears in his eyes. The General, with agony depicted on his face, sat in his chair
+wringing his hands, and seemed unable to move from the spot.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Francis, Francis,&#8221; he said, &#8220;don&#8217;t let your temper overmaster you in this way. Reflect that the Castle is mortgaged to the
+last stone, and that the last six months&#8217; interest is not yet paid. If sold to-morrow it will not fetch a third of the amount
+for which I have mortgaged it, and it is only by the generosity of Jonker Leopold that the sale can any longer be delayed.
+He has offered to take it off my hands, together with all the mortgages with which it is burdened, and to allow me a yearly
+income which will make me comfortable for life; but you must marry him, otherwise all our plans come to nought. Understand
+that, and don&#8217;t insult a man who has such generous intentions towards us. He is still <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb297" href="#pb297">297</a>]</span>willing to forgive you, if you don&#8217;t persevere in your senseless refusal, I am sure; for I have for some time already been
+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
+its provisions carried out. Now what shall I write to Overberg?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Write, grandfather,&#8221; said Francis, rousing herself with an effort, &#8220;that Francis Mordaunt will not suffer herself to be disposed
+of in marriage by anybody&#8217;s testamentary disposition; that she will neither sell herself for one million nor for two millions,
+and that she has decidedly refused Jonker van Zonshoven&#8217;s offer of marriage.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Feeling confident Francis would do me justice when more calm and resigned, but feeling also the necessity of not giving way
+to violence in dealing with a character such as hers, I said&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I who have your promise and will not release you from it, I request the General to write to Overberg that Miss Mordaunt has
+accepted my offer, and that the transfer of the Castle de Werve can forthwith be concluded.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If I will consent to the sale,&#8221; interposed Francis, still pale and unmoved.
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb298" href="#pb298">298</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I beg your pardon, Miss Mordaunt,&#8221; I rejoined, &#8220;your grandfather is the sole owner of the Castle; and during his life the
+will by which it is bequeathed to you has no force nor value.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah! if she could only be brought to see all the circumstances in their true light,&#8221; sighed Von Zwenken.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, uncle, you write what I have requested you to write; you know only too well the consequences of any other decision.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He wants you to write lies!&#8221; cried Francis, exasperatingly; &#8220;he&#8217;ll stick to his million, that&#8217;s clear.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Francis,&#8221; said the General, with the tone of a supplicant, &#8220;if you knew 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 you will simply take the hand he holds out to you. Remember
+he can force us to sell the Castle if we do not consent to hand it over to him, however much against our own will.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is possible that he has secretly acquired the power to drive us out of the Werve like beggars, but he cannot compel me
+to marry him.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb299" href="#pb299">299</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;We shall see about that,&#8221; I rejoined, proudly.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You dare to talk to me of constraint&#8212;to me!&#8221; she cried, becoming furious, and advancing towards me&#8212;&#8220;you, Leopold,&#8221; she added,
+with an accent of real pain.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Francis,&#8221; I answered, resolved to follow up my advantage, &#8220;you shall submit to the constraint of your own conscience,
+which must tell you that you owe me an apology. I am going away. Farewell. Try to reflect on this in your calmer moments.
+You have touched me to the quick; you have wounded my feelings of honour and my heart. Do not let me wait too long, or the
+wound will become incurable.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I gave her a last look of gentle reproach, but her glassy eyes seemed insensible 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.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She is like this,&#8221; he said, &#8220;when anything goes wrong with her. Within an hour she will regret what she has said, I am sure;
+the storm was too violent to last long.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb300" href="#pb300">300</a>]</span></p>
+<p>But my mind was made up. I packed up my luggage, slowly, I must confess, and always listening for a well-known step and a
+knock, which should announce Francis repentant and seeking a reconciliation. But she did not come.
+
+</p>
+<p>I was miserable beyond all expression. It was like being shipwrecked in the harbour after a long voyage. To think this was
+the same woman at whose feet I had kneeled an hour ago, and whose hand I had kissed in a delirium of pleasure. And now she
+had turned upon me like a fury and declined my offer with contempt! I reflected that I ought to have acted more frankly and
+straightforwardly with her. For a moment the idea occurred to me to renounce all my rights as to Aunt Sophia&#8217;s property; but,
+after all, what good end could it serve&#8212;it would only reduce us both to poverty. I promised myself that, once arrived at Zutphen,
+I would send her in writing a complete statement of how affairs stood, and enclose aunt&#8217;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.
+
+</p>
+<p>And thus I acted; but as all the documents together <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb301" href="#pb301">301</a>]</span>made up too large a 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 Werve for orders. I flattered myself I should speedily receive an answer, and all the following day
+I passed in a feverish excitement, only increased in the evening when no answer came. During the night I never slept a moment.
+Another day passed, and still no answer; and now I gave myself up to the most complete despair. There was nothing for me to
+do but settle my affairs in all haste at Zutphen and return to the Hague.
+
+</p>
+<p>I kept Overberg in the dark about my rupture with Francis, only telling him pressing business called me back to the Hague.
+I signed all the papers he put before me, and told him I would return as soon as possible. The fact was I felt seriously unwell,
+and, as you know, home is the best place under such circumstances; I thought I could there immerse myself in my favourite
+studies, but I only remember feeling an unbearable weight of oppression come over me.
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb302" href="#pb302">302</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e3514" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XXXIII.</h2>
+<p>Instead of regaining my usual calm in my own &#8220;sweet home,&#8221; I fell seriously ill the first night after my return. I was attacked
+by a nervous fever, and remained for several days insensible. My landlady now proved herself a faithful and attentive nurse,
+and she tells me that my life was almost despaired of for some days. I am convalescent at last, and I shall travel. You will
+ask where? I don&#8217;t know yet; nothing is decided.
+
+</p>
+<p>When I was able to look over the papers which had accumulated on my table during my illness, I found a card from my uncle
+the minister, who had called to make inquiries about me. My worthy uncle had heard the report that I was a millionaire. I
+also found quite a heap of letters from Overberg and Van Beek, which I had not the courage to read; one, however, marked &#8220;Important,&#8221;
+I broke open. It <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb303" href="#pb303">303</a>]</span>announced the death of my uncle Von Zwenken, and I was invited to the funeral. The date told me that the letter was three
+weeks old! What had become of Francis?
+
+</p>
+<p>Doubtless she was still ill-disposed towards me. She seemed to be unaware of my illness, since she had invited me to the funeral
+of her grandfather. What must she have thought of my silence? Not a single word of comfort or encouragement from me. What
+annoyances she might already have suffered from the lawyers. I was expecting my doctor every moment, and I had determined
+to ask his permission to start immediately for Zutphen, when I heard some one coming up the stairs, whom my landlady was endeavouring
+to call back, she being very strict about my being kept quiet. But, in spite of all her efforts, Rolf burst into the room&#8212;Rolf,
+whom I had ended by loving almost as much as I detested him the first few days of our acquaintance.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My General is dead,&#8221; he said, with tears in his eyes&#8212;&#8220;died in my arms. Francis is gone&#8212;&#8212;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She is not ill, however?&#8221; I interrupted quickly.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not in the least, she is in excellent health; but&#8212;she has turned me out of the Werve.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb304" href="#pb304">304</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;What do you say?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, it was not done in anger or malice; but because she herself will be forced to leave the Castle very soon. In fact, she
+has already hired a room at farmer Pauwelsen&#8217;s; but she will tell nobody what she intends to do.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But tell me all the particulars of the General&#8217;s death.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, the General had not the courage to resist her, and write to Overberg in the sense you advised him. And as everything
+was vague and uncertain because of your answering nobody&#8217;s letters, the lawyers lost patience; and Overberg, egged on, I believe,
+by that quill-driver in Utrecht, wrote to Freule Mordaunt to know for certain whether or not she 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 can assure you. I know she
+reproaches herself bitterly, and has done so since the day you left, as I told you would be the case.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Even after she had received the packet from me?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She never received anything from you.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s very surprising!&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb305" href="#pb305">305</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;No, it&#8217;s not at all surprising, for everything was in the utmost confusion with us from the fatal Friday you left&#8212;&#8212;But I
+see this is sherry, may I help myself?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Certainly, Captain; I beg your pardon, I ought to have thought of asking you sooner.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, then, after you were gone she fainted. Such a thing never happened to her before within my knowledge. I felt almost
+ashamed of her; but she loved you so much, as she later confessed to me weeping! When she came to herself again, and whilst,
+as we thought, she was reposing in her own room, she had stealthily gone off to the farm, ordered Tancredo to be saddled,
+and ridden away at full gallop. At dinner we became dreadfully uneasy as she did not put in an appearance, and neither the
+General nor myself could eat. But it was much worse when, in the evening twilight, young Pauwelsen came to say Tancredo had
+returned to the stable alone, without saddle and white with foam.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;An accident!&#8221; I cried, beside myself. &#8220;Do tell me the worst at once. What has happened to her?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, it was not so bad after all, Jonker&#8212;only a <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb306" href="#pb306">306</a>]</span>sprained foot; we found her lying on the moss at the foot of an oak, to which she had been able to crawl to rest herself a
+little.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know that oak!&#8221; I exclaimed. &#8220;I feel what she must have felt there. She loves me still!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;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 the town, and then, suddenly changing her course, was returning to the Castle through the wood; but either
+she must have pressed Tancredo too hard, or dropped the reins&#8212;she cannot explain it herself. But certain it is, the noble
+animal, no longer recognizing the hand of his mistress, galloped home, and she fell out of the saddle. We carried her home,
+and laid her on the sofa in the drawing-room. The surgeon declared there was no danger, but said she must not be moved for
+some days.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And why did you not send me word immediately?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hum! I wanted to write to you, and she also. I ought not to tell you perhaps, but she wrote a note to you.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Which I never received.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb307" href="#pb307">307</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;No, for young Pauwelsen was charged to deliver it into your own hands at Zutphen; but when he arrived there they told him
+you had left, and he brought back the letter, which the Freule tore up, with a bitter laugh saying&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;I deserved no better.&#8217;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, if I could have foreseen all this!&#8221; I cried, wringing my hands.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I advised you to stay,&#8221; replied the Captain; &#8220;why need you go off in such a hurry?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My dear Captain, I felt I was going to be ill; I was ill already. But how was it she did not receive my packet? I waited
+until the third day for an answer.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What could you expect? Everything was turned upside down. Fritz had orders to place all letters on the General&#8217;s writing-table,
+and he had taken such an aversion to anything in the shape of a communication from the lawyers, that he never opened one of
+them. Miss Francis was scarcely able to move about again when those accursed creatures set to work and threatened to send
+in the bailiffs, and Heaven only knows what besides. Then she had to attend to everything, for the General had a second attack
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb308" href="#pb308">308</a>]</span>of paralysis: those people have been the death of him, and I could not prevent it.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>The Captain forgot to add here, what I afterwards learnt, that he had himself hastened the General&#8217;s end by administering
+a glass of old cognac to him under the pretext of strengthening him for the occasion of meeting the bailiffs.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;As soon as his eyes were closed,&#8221; he continued, &#8220;the lawyer from Arnheim, who was in possession of the General&#8217;s will, and
+Overberg advised Francis to arrange matters with you in an amicable manner; but she would not listen to them. You understand,
+it was in your name these proceedings had been taken against her grandfather.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Whilst I lay unconscious on a bed of sickness.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s what the Pharisees knew, but they had your power of attorney; and Francis said&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Behold the constraint with which he threatened me! And he imagines I shall give way? Never!&#8217; You should have seen her, how
+pale she was, but firm; when the men came to make the inventory of all there was in the Castle!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Afterwards she took me aside. &#8216;Rolfie,&#8217; she said&#8212;it was her word when she wanted to get anything <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb309" href="#pb309">309</a>]</span>out of me&#8212;&#8216;Rolfie, now tell me honestly, have you not sacrificed the greater part of your fortune to the wants of my grandfather?&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Well, certainly not, Maj&#8212;Miss Francis; we have only spent that small sum which we won in the lottery. The General would
+make use of his part of it to try his luck once more; but I preferred spending my part on a few extras for the table that
+we might all enjoy it together.&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Then that story of yours about an inheritance was a pure invention?&#8217; she demanded severely.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;<span class="corr" id="xd0e3604" title="Not in source">&#8216;</span>Pardon, Freule, I have inherited a nice little farm in North Brabant, where I always intended to end my days, if the Freule
+should&#8217; (marry, I would have said, but I was afraid) &#8216;wish to dispense with my services.&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;And can you live comfortably on it, Captain?&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Very; and, besides, I have my pension. Living is very cheap in that part 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 no castle, the best room in the house is set
+apart for your service.<span class="corr" id="xd0e3611" title="Source: &#8221;">&#8217;</span>
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;I thank you most cordially, my good Captain; <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb310" href="#pb310">310</a>]</span>I was most anxious to know whether you were provided for. But we must separate, my dear Rolf.&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;And where will you go, what will you do?&#8217;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;I cannot tell you that; but one thing is certain, you cannot go with me.&#8217;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>The Captain plied himself well with sherry to keep up his spirits, and concluded by saying&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And so we parted, Jonker. But I thought to myself, I&#8217;ll pass through the Hague; and here I heard of your illness, and said
+to myself, &#8216;Probably the Jonker is ignorant of all that has occurred.&#8217;&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you know what you must do, Rolf? Go back to the Werve at once. I shall give you a letter for the lawyers to stop all proceedings,
+and you will take command of the fortress until I come. Retain Fritz in the service, and try to find the packet. I shall be
+with you to-morrow or the day after, if my doctor will give me permission to leave my room.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, the packet will be at Overberg&#8217;s with the rest of the General&#8217;s papers.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then try to find out where Miss Francis is, and induce her to return to the Werve; but don&#8217;t tell her I am coming there.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb311" href="#pb311">311</a>]</span></p>
+<p>At the same moment my landlady brought me the following telegram from Overberg&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Your immediate presence indispensable; no arrangement possible; F. M. has left the Castle.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I did not hesitate any longer. Without awaiting the doctor&#8217;s leave, I got Rolf to pack my portmanteau, and we were off before
+he could stop us. These thick-coming events called forth all my strength, and I forgot how weak I really was.
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb312" href="#pb312">312</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e3640" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XXXIV.</h2>
+<p>When I arrived at the hotel in Zutphen, I was surprised to find a letter awaiting me from Rudolf, who was still travelling
+through the provinces of Guelderland and Overyssel with his troupe, which was now performing at Laren fair. It ran as follows&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If you wish to prevent Francis from committing the greatest folly she has yet been guilty of in life, try to meet me at the
+&#8216;Half-way House,&#8217; between Zutphen and Laren, to-morrow morning about nine o&#8217;clock.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I promised myself I would not neglect this appointment. I then sent for Overberg, who confirmed all I had heard from Rolf,
+and explained many things I thought inexplicable. It was Van Beek who had pushed matters to extremities, and he (Overberg)
+had been quite willing to grant any reasonable delay. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb313" href="#pb313">313</a>]</span>He told me one thing I was still ignorant of. A lawyer had sent into Van Beek a copy of a codicil to Aunt Sophia&#8217;s will, drawn
+up by her order on the eve of her death, by which she bequeathed to her grandniece, Francis Mordaunt, a yearly income of three
+thousand florins in case she did not marry Jonker van Zonshoven; and I was bound to pay this pension on condition she made
+no marriage without my consent. A very far-seeing woman this aunt of mine! I charged Overberg to make known this codicil,
+and to hand over to Francis the packet which he had found amongst the General&#8217;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 her out, and to deliver it into her hands.
+
+</p>
+<p>Next morning, when I arrived at the appointed place, a little country inn, the landlady told me that a lady and gentleman
+were already awaiting me upstairs. I hastened into the large assembly-room, and at the bottom of it I could perceive Rudolf
+and Francis, almost hidden behind a platform which had been erected for the musicians. Francis stood with her back to the
+door at which I entered. I wished to give her warning of my presence, but I could not <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb314" href="#pb314">314</a>]</span>speak; and as I advanced all of a tremble, I heard Rudolf saying to her&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;<i>Nonsense, my dear!</i> you have no idea of the sort of life you wish to lead. You talk of liberty and independence; but I tell you it is slavery
+and the whip into the bargain. Do you know our bed-room is in the stable with the horses? Do you think the women are much
+respected because they are so politely assisted to mount their horses during the performance? I can tell you Madame Stonehouse
+herself is not spared by her gracious husband. And you would cast in your lot with us, susceptible and haughty as you are!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s nothing else I can do,&#8221; replied Francis. &#8220;I can manage a horse, but I cannot become a governess and undertake the
+care of young children any more than I could earn my bread with my needle. I will not 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.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But, you foolish girl, why don&#8217;t you seek a reconciliation with your Cousin van Zonshoven? You would then have all a woman
+could wish for&#8212;your castle back, a beautiful fortune, and a husband <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb315" href="#pb315">315</a>]</span>who would love you truly. Upon that I&#8217;ll wager my head.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; he&#8217;s a man of rare loyalty, indeed, and has shown himself such!&#8221; she answered with a choking voice.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Bah! at the worst he has only acted a little insincerely; white lies, my dear, white lies may be pardoned. Forgive him his
+peccadillo. He will have much to forgive in you, as you have confessed to me yourself. Tell him you are sorry for what you
+have said. He will then embrace you and all will be well.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It is impossible, I tell you; it is too late.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why too late, Francis?&#8221; I exclaimed, as I stepped forward, unable to restrain myself any longer.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Leopold!&#8221; she cried, turning deadly pale, and covering her face with her hands.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Francis,&#8221; I went on gently, &#8220;nothing is changed; I still regard you as my betrothed wife.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>And saying this I tried to take her hand in mine. But the touch pained her; she sprang back as if she had received the discharge
+of an electric battery.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Your betrothed! You have given me to understand <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb316" href="#pb316">316</a>]</span>this by the manner in which I have been treated!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It grieves me to the heart, Francis&#8212;I cannot tell you how much. I come now from a sick-bed, and what the lawyers did whilst
+I lay insensible in the fever was in opposition to my wishes, and quite contrary to my intentions.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And was it contrary to your intentions to cause my grandfather the shock which led to his death?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Most certainly it was, and I did my utmost to prevent it; but you would not assist me, and afterwards it was too late. It
+was the executors carrying out the last will and testament of the deceased, and it was out of my power to interfere with them.
+And if the consequences hastened your grandfather&#8217;s death, you cannot blame me, Francis. For after a calm consideration of
+all the facts, you will be bound to agree that I was a better friend both to him and to you than you have been to yourselves.
+Because of a little misunderstanding which I could easily have explained, you have brought all this trouble on yourself, and
+caused me the most acute suffering. Still all may be well.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All may be well! Oh, Leopold, Leopold! how <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb317" href="#pb317">317</a>]</span>can you say so, when the gulf between us is so wide,&#8221; she replied, with a profound sigh. &#8220;You threatened me with force, and
+you have meanly carried that threat into execution! You had it in your power to drive me to extremities, your one fixed idea
+being to compel me to marry Aunt Roselaer&#8217;s heir. I have heard this so often I am sick of the subject; and though I acknowledge
+you are right from a worldly and material point of view, I had given you credit for better things. Don&#8217;t you understand, that
+were I to marry you now under constraint, I should tug at my chains until they made life unbearable to us both, or until they
+broke!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I agree with you, Francis, if you regard our engagement in this light, and I release you from your promise.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thank you, but I had already taken measures which render such generosity on your part unnecessary. I am going to travel about
+in the world, and I have taken steps to separate myself from the past entirely. I have made my contract with Mr. Stonehouse,
+to whom Rudolf is to introduce me as soon as he arrives here to sign the same.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Your Uncle Rudolf came here, my dear, to dissuade <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb318" href="#pb318">318</a>]</span>you from such a step; and if you are awaiting the arrival of Mr. Stonehouse, you will have to wait a long time,&#8221; responded
+Rudolf, coolly. &#8220;Did you think me such a fool, Francis, as to assist you in your insane idea?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then you never delivered my letter to your master?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Certainly not, I did much better. I warned your Cousin Leopold that you were going to commit a folly which would lead to
+your inevitable ruin.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I see! this is another plot against me. Enough; as I cannot trust any one but myself, I will ride off at once and ask
+to see Mr. Stonehouse in person.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You will do nothing of the sort,&#8221; I said, authoritatively, seeing that she rose to depart. &#8220;The General is dead, Rudolf civilly
+dead, and I am consequently, in the eyes of the law, your nearest male relation. Therefore I forbid your entering this abyss,
+from whence no one ever rises again, in the flower of your age.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What am I to do?&#8221; she cried passionately, yet with an accent of submission in her tone.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You have simply to return to the Werve,&#8221; I <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb319" href="#pb319">319</a>]</span>answered, &#8220;where you will find a friend actively preparing for your reception.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A friend!&#8221; she repeated, in astonishment.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Rolf; who is to stay there until further orders. Don&#8217;t be afraid&#8212;I shall not importune you with my presence, for I am
+going to travel.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>This latter declaration seemed to make a great impression on her. She regarded me with a strange kind of look, and replied
+in a tone of voice which betrayed something more than pride and anger&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;In very sooth, Leopold, you are going to travel? Well, then, I will stay at the Werve. Farewell.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>And she escaped from the room quickly, shutting the door after her. We soon heard the pawing of her horse outside, and we
+trusted she would ride back to the Castle.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ought I not to follow her?&#8221; Rudolf inquired of me.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; any mistrust on our part would offend her.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She is in an unusual state of excitement, and such a reckless rider. Only lately she had an accident.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s true; for Heaven&#8217;s sake follow her! But if you should be recognized yourself?&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb320" href="#pb320">320</a>]</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Never fear, I am too well disguised for that. In my present dress I made more than one visit to the Werve during my father&#8217;s
+last illness. I have pressed his hand on his death-bed; and he has given me 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. And Francis,&#8221; he cried in triumph, &#8220;has accepted
+assistance from me during these last days of trial. When the <i>Kermis</i> at Laren is over, we shall leave this country; and I shall never more set foot on my native soil,&#8221; he added, sadly, as he
+mounted his horse; and pressing my hand for the last time, took an eternal farewell of me.
+
+
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb321" href="#pb321">321</a>]</span></p>
+</div>
+<div id="xd0e3741" class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><h2 class="normal">Chapter XXXV.</h2>
+<p>Our surprises were not yet at an end.
+
+</p>
+<p>On my return to Zutphen I found Overberg waiting for me at my hotel. He had just received from England a packet addressed
+to Francis, which Fritz had refused to take charge of, as he did not know where to find her. 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 the Castle, and bring me back
+a <i>re&ccedil;u</i> from Francis. I should then have proof positive of her return to the Werve. I was very anxious to find out what this packet
+could contain; and I was in despair as to any suitable means of satisfying my curiosity, when early next morning old Fritz
+arrived at the hotel with a note from his mistress. He had his orders not to deliver it into anybody&#8217;s hands but mine. I broke
+the seal with trembling fingers, and read as follows&#8212;
+
+
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb322" href="#pb322">322</a>]</span></p>
+<div class="blockquote">
+<p>&#8220;<span class="smallcaps">Cousin Leopold</span>&#8212;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.
+
+
+</p>
+<p>F. M.&#8221;</p>
+</div><p>
+
+
+</p>
+<p>I had but one answer to this note; it was to order out the hotel carriage, and drive back with Fritz. My hopes and fears as
+we drove along I will not attempt to describe; they are better left to your imagination; but everything seemed to turn round
+before my eyes as we passed over the old drawbridge, and drove up to the hall-door. Rolf was awaiting me at the entrance;
+and he led me into the drawingroom without a word, only expressing his delight by the manner in which he swung about his cap.
+
+</p>
+<p>Francis was seated on the sofa which I remembered so well, her head cast down, paler than on the preceding day; but charmingly
+beautiful in her <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb323" href="#pb323">323</a>]</span>mourning-dress. She rose hastily, and advanced to greet me.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thank you, Leopold, for coming so soon. I knew you would come; I had confidence in your generosity.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And&#8212;am I then no longer contemptible in your eyes, Francis? You have received my packet, and read Aunt Sophia&#8217;s letter?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have received all the documents, read all&#8212;more than was necessary to convince me I had done you an injustice, and ought
+to apologize to you. Now I am ready to confess it before all the world that I did you wrong; will you pardon me without reserve?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Need you ask me that, Francis? But you must never doubt me more, never more, Francis.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>After a moment&#8217;s silence she answered in a low voice&#8212;&#8220;Never more, Leopold!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>So saying, she pressed my hand with ardour, as a sign of reconciliation. Still, there was a constraint about her manner which
+prevented my pressing her to my heart as I desired to do.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sit down, Leopold,&#8221; she said; &#8220;now we are reconciled I have to ask your advice as my nearest relation and my most trusted
+friend.&#8221;
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb324" href="#pb324">324</a>]</span></p>
+<p>At the same time she unfolded the packet which she had received from England.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Lord William is dead,&#8221; she went on; &#8220;will you read this letter addressed to me, together with a copy of his will?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>I could scarcely control myself sufficiently to read the letter; but I obeyed mechanically. This letter contained a few words
+of serious advice, breathing nothing but words of paternal love; though I read between the lines that it had cost him a struggle
+after her confession to regain this kind of calm affection for her. He had left with Cupid&#8217;s arrow in his heart. The letter
+concluded with the most ardent wishes for her happiness; and he expressed a hope she would one day find a husband worthy of
+her, begging her to accept as a marriage portion the legacy he had left her by his will. Finally, he said, she must allow
+no considerations whatever, especially money considerations, to induce her to marry a man whom she did not love with all her
+heart.
+
+</p>
+<p>The family name with which this letter was signed is one of the most illustrious in the scientific as well as in the political
+world.
+
+</p>
+<p>There was also a second letter from the nephew <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb325" href="#pb325">325</a>]</span>and heir to Lord William&#8217;s title and immense fortune. He assured Francis of his intentions scrupulously to fulfil the last
+will of the deceased. Francis was to receive from the estates an annuity of three thousand pounds for the term of her natural
+life.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ought I to accept it, Leopold?&#8221; she demanded.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My opinion is you cannot refuse it, Francis. Your greatest desire has always been to have an independence; and here it is
+offered you by the hand of a friend.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You are right, Leopold; I shall follow your advice and accept it. Now I shall not be forced to marry any one; and if I should
+choose a husband, he cannot suspect me of having done so for the sake of his money. Shall I be rich enough to buy back the
+Werve?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, Francis; the Werve is in the possession of one who will not sell it for money. If you still desire to become Baroness
+de Werve, you must take another resolution.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Leopold,&#8221; she said, rising, &#8220;you say that independence has always been my chief desire. It is possible; but now I understand
+that my greatest happiness is to be dependent on the man I love. <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb326" href="#pb326">326</a>]</span>Leo, Aunt Roselaer has left me an annuity which I decline to accept, as a matter of course; but her intentions towards me
+were kindly, and I will follow her advice. She has forbidden me to marry without your consent.&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>Then with an indefinable mixture of grace, confusion, and malice, she sank down on her knees before me, and said&#8212;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Leo, I wish to marry my Cousin van Zonshoven; have you any objections?&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Heaven forbid! I have no objections!&#8221;
+
+</p>
+<p>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 had loved so much, and suffered so much for each other.
+</p>
+<hr class="tb"><p>
+
+</p>
+<p>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 us by our former walks. We made all sorts of plans for the future. We wrote letters to Van Beek and the other men of the
+law, informing them in a grave tone that all the bills would be paid at maturity, or on presentation.
+<span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb327" href="#pb327">327</a>]</span></p>
+<p>The fact that Francis was in mourning for the General served us as a pretext for being married privately, and in as quiet
+a manner as possible, an arrangement in accordance with both our wishes. An old college friend of mine, vicar in a small town
+near the Werve, married us.
+
+</p>
+<p>Little Harry Blount is already confided to the care of the farmers Pauwelsens. His mother has perfectly recovered, and will
+one of these days, we trust, marry young Pauwelsen, a son of the farmer, who had already fixed his eyes on her before her
+engagement to Blount. This good news has removed an immense weight from Francis&#8217;s mind. We are going to make a long journey,
+and try to enjoy ourselves thoroughly; the trials we have both passed through have taught us to appreciate our present happiness.
+
+</p>
+<p>During our absence the Werve will be restored, and Rolf will be left in charge.
+
+</p>
+<p>To conclude, dear William, I have got Francis to enclose you a note in her own handwriting.
+
+
+</p>
+<p><i>Geneva, 1861.</i> <span class="smallcaps">Leopold van Zonshoven.</span>
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That it is becoming in Leo to have sketched the doings of Major Frank in all their shades and peculiarities, <span class="pagenum">[<a id="pb328" href="#pb328">328</a>]</span>even for a friend, I shall never allow; but I feel that in his delicate position it was necessary for him to ease his mind
+to some one, and that it was better he should do so to a friend across the seas. Therefore I have pardoned him. Now I will
+request you not to have his letters printed in any of your Indian papers! That would be too bad! Not that Francis van Zonshoven
+would attempt to defend such a person&#8212;oh no! It appears to me no such person ever existed. But there are family secrets in
+the letters, which I must seriously recommend to your discretion.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t wait until your term of service in India expires, but get your leave of absence and visit us at the Werve. All the
+windows are now glazed, and there is room enough for Leo&#8217;s friend, though he came with a whole family.
+
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;<span class="smallcaps">Francis van Zonshoven.</span>&#8221;
+
+
+
+</p>
+</div>
+</div>
+<div class="back">
+<div class="div1"><span class="pagenum">
+[<a href="#toc">Contents</a>]
+</span><p class="aligncenter">Unwin Brothers, The Gresham Press, Chilworth and London.
+
+
+
+
+</p>
+<div class="div1" id="toc">
+<h2 class="normal">Table of Contents</h2>
+<ul>
+<li><a href="#xd0e111">Chapter I.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e148">Chapter II.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e217">Chapter III.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e244">Chapter IV.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e372">Chapter V.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e420">Chapter VI.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e468">Chapter VII.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e537">Chapter VIII.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e784">Chapter IX.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e848">Chapter X.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e998">Chapter XI.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e1094">Chapter XII.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e1299">Chapter XIII.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e1392">Chapter XIV.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e1458">Chapter XV.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e1554">Chapter XVI.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e1654">Chapter XVII.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e1734">Chapter XVIII.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e1867">Chapter XIX.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e1970">Chapter XX.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e2115">Chapter XXI.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e2185">Chapter XXII.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e2295">Chapter XXIII.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e2381">Chapter XXIV.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e2494">Chapter XXV.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e2585">Chapter XXVI.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e2770">Chapter XXVII.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e2933">Chapter XXVIII.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e3004">Chapter XXIX.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e3158">Chapter XXX.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e3272">Chapter XXXI.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e3418">Chapter XXXII.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e3514">Chapter XXXIII.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e3640">Chapter XXXIV.</a></li>
+<li><a href="#xd0e3741">Chapter XXXV.</a></li>
+</ul>
+</div>
+<div class="transcribernote">
+<h2>Colophon</h2>
+<h3>Availability</h3>
+<p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give
+it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/">www.gutenberg.org</a>.
+
+</p>
+<p>This eBook is produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at <a href="https://www.pgdp.net/">www.pgdp.net</a>.
+
+</p>
+<p>The Dutch original, titled <i>Majoor Frans</i>, is available from Project Gutenberg as ebook number <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/20794">20794</a>. Note that this English translation is about half the length of the Dutch version.
+
+</p>
+<h3>Encoding</h3>
+<p></p>
+<h3>Revision History</h3>
+<ol class="lsoff">
+<li>2008-12-05 Started.
+
+</li>
+</ol>
+<h3>External References</h3>
+<p>This Project Gutenberg eBook contains external references. These links may not work for you.</p>
+<h3>Corrections</h3>
+<p>The following corrections have been applied to the text:</p>
+<table width="75%">
+<tr>
+<th>Page</th>
+<th>Source</th>
+<th>Correction</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td width="20%"><a class="pageref" href="#xd0e207">9</a></td>
+<td width="40%">shuting</td>
+<td width="40%">shutting</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td width="20%"><a class="pageref" href="#xd0e1173">97</a></td>
+<td width="40%">,</td>
+<td width="40%">
+[<i>Deleted</i>]
+
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td width="20%"><a class="pageref" href="#xd0e1193">98</a></td>
+<td width="40%">eem</td>
+<td width="40%">seem</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td width="20%"><a class="pageref" href="#xd0e1350">109</a></td>
+<td width="40%">aloud</td>
+<td width="40%">a loud</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td width="20%"><a class="pageref" href="#xd0e1777">146</a></td>
+<td width="40%">&#8217;</td>
+<td width="40%">&#8221;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td width="20%"><a class="pageref" href="#xd0e1819">148</a></td>
+<td width="40%">&#8217;</td>
+<td width="40%">&#8221;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td width="20%"><a class="pageref" href="#xd0e1978">160</a></td>
+<td width="40%">&#8216;</td>
+<td width="40%">&#8220;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td width="20%"><a class="pageref" href="#xd0e2280">187</a></td>
+<td width="40%">&#8217;</td>
+<td width="40%">
+[<i>Deleted</i>]
+
+</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td width="20%"><a class="pageref" href="#xd0e2318">191</a></td>
+<td width="40%">&#8221;</td>
+<td width="40%">&#8217;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td width="20%"><a class="pageref" href="#xd0e2377">197</a></td>
+<td width="40%">
+[<i>Not in source</i>]
+
+</td>
+<td width="40%">&#8221;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td width="20%"><a class="pageref" href="#xd0e2490">210</a></td>
+<td width="40%">
+[<i>Not in source</i>]
+
+</td>
+<td width="40%">&#8221;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td width="20%"><a class="pageref" href="#xd0e2989">253</a></td>
+<td width="40%">Their</td>
+<td width="40%">There</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td width="20%"><a class="pageref" href="#xd0e3459">296</a></td>
+<td width="40%">underderstand</td>
+<td width="40%">understand</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td width="20%"><a class="pageref" href="#xd0e3604">309</a></td>
+<td width="40%">
+[<i>Not in source</i>]
+
+</td>
+<td width="40%">&#8216;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td width="20%"><a class="pageref" href="#xd0e3611">309</a></td>
+<td width="40%">&#8221;</td>
+<td width="40%">&#8217;</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+</div>
+</div>
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Major Frank, by A. L. G. Bosboom-Toussaint
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MAJOR FRANK ***
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Major Frank, by A. L. G. Bosboom-Toussaint
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Major Frank
+
+Author: A. L. G. Bosboom-Toussaint
+
+Translator: James Akeroyd
+
+Release Date: December 5, 2008 [EBook #27425]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MAJOR FRANK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Steven Gibbs, Jeroen Hellingman, and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net/
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                          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 Verheyst
+at A----.
+
+
+The Hague, March, 1865.
+
+
+Dear Friend,--If you are not too deeply absorbed in some lawsuit or
+other, come to me by the first express you can catch from your little
+provincial town. Something wonderful has happened, and I have great
+need of a friend to whom I can confide my secret. Imagine Leopold
+van Zonshoven, who seemed destined from his infancy to figure in this
+world as a poor gentleman--imagine your friend Leopold suddenly come
+into an immense fortune.
+
+An old aunt of my mother's, of whom I had never heard, and who it seems
+had quarrelled with all her relations, has hit upon the sublime idea of
+playing the "Fairy Godmother" to me. By her will I am made sole heir
+to all the property she died possessed of. I, who with the strictest
+economy 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 of
+the romancing novelist, who as a rule reforms and rewards the wildest
+youth. I almost knocked over the lamp on opening the letter which
+contained this incredible news; fortunately my landlady caught it,
+for she was waiting for the eighteenpence which the messenger demanded
+for his services, and she has since confessed to me she thought that
+it was a case of "baliffs." I got rid of her as quickly as possible
+and bolted the door behind her. I felt an irresistible desire to be
+alone, and to convince myself that the news was real, and not a page
+out of the "Arabian Nights."
+
+After having satisfied myself of the reality of the affair, I was
+assailed by an indescribable confusion of ideas and impressions. My
+heart beat as if it would burst; I felt a rising in my throat as if I
+should choke; and the first profit which I derived from my new fortune
+was a severe headache. I am not a stoic, and I have never attempted
+to appear in that character. Lately all my thoughts have been fixed
+on some method of changing the miserable position in which I have thus
+far vegetated, and there seemed but one hope left me: a reconciliation
+with my uncle, the Cabinet Minister, who could get me an appointment
+as attache to one of the embassies. But this would be a difficult task,
+for his Excellency has forbidden me his house because of some articles
+that I wrote in an opposition paper. How I regretted not having been
+able to complete my studies and take a degree, the lack of which has
+shut me out from so many posts open to my fellow-students.
+
+At the age of twenty-nine it is a losing game to compete with
+younger men in possession of a degree; and whilst I sat brooding
+over my misfortunes, suddenly the news reaches me that I am a rich
+landed 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 like
+myself? Do come, then, as soon as possible to talk the matter over with
+me, especially as there is one point on which I must have your advice
+before entering into possession of my estates. Possibly your judicial
+eye 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 of
+gold to crumble to dust. I will decide nothing before consulting
+you. In the meantime I have given my lawyer power of attorney under
+reserve. Here I have many acquaintances, but not one trusted friend
+to whom I can reveal the secrets of my bosom without the fear of
+being misunderstood or made ridiculous.
+
+And now farewell till we meet. With or without the fortune, believe
+me 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 the
+following 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 anonymous
+letter in his fingers, "I fear this looks bad for Leopold. It will be
+hard lines if he has to forego the fortune which is thus dangled before
+his eyes like a bait on who knows what unreasonable conditions. I
+don't like this attempt on the part of some unknown persons to bribe
+his adviser. However, they shall find I am not to be caught in the
+snare. If there be any clause in the will inconsistent with law and
+honesty or with honour, I'll show them I have not been called to the
+bar to no purpose. Poor fellow, he little knows how difficult it is
+for me to leave home at present. Still, as I must go to the Hague
+before my departure to Java, I will set off early to-morrow."
+
+William Verheyst did as he said. He proved himself a true friend and
+no loiterer; caught his train, and five minutes after his arrival in
+the Hague was knocking at his friend's door.
+
+Leopold van Zonshoven occupied a single large front room in a quiet
+part of the town. He was too poor to live in a more fashionable
+quarter, and too honest to attempt living above his means. And
+yet there was an air of elegance about the room which marked it
+as that of a young man of refined tastes, and proved him to be a
+lover of home comforts rather than the pleasures of club life. To
+the ordinary furniture to be found in lodgings he had superadded a
+good writing-table, an easy-chair, an antique, carved book-case,
+and several small objects of art, which stood out in bold relief
+against the shabby wallpaper. This, however, he had tried to hide
+as much as possible by hanging the family portraits all round the
+room, some of them in solid ebony, others in gilt frames rather
+characteristic of this cheap, showy age. Even the space between the
+larger pictures he had tried to cover with small miniatures on ivory,
+and photographs. The young man had evidently done his best to surround
+himself by the portraits of his numerous family.
+
+He was busily engaged at his writing-table when Verheyst knocked at
+his door.
+
+"I was expecting you," he said. "I knew you would come to help your
+friend in need. What a strange letter I wrote you! But now I have
+recovered my senses again."
+
+Then turning to his writing-table, he said--
+
+"Look here, here's a bundle of papers soaked with ink. Though
+my landlady, Mrs. Joosting, saved the lamp from falling on that
+memorable evening, she did not notice the ink-bottle. Three articles
+neatly copied, numbered and ready for the press, are utterly
+spoiled. Nothing for it but to copy them again. Pleasant work this
+for a millionaire! But I have almost finished now, and the work has
+done 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. Though
+he 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 that
+he 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 even
+a condition set down. But there is a desire, a hope expressed in
+this letter from my aunt; and you must read it before giving your
+opinion. It seems to me I must renounce the inheritance if I cannot
+give effect to the wish you will find set down here."
+
+"Is it, then, such a difficult matter?" inquired Verheyst, before
+opening the letter.
+
+"Oh, that depends! My aunt wishes me to marry."
+
+"No unfair request, since she puts you in a position to maintain
+a 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 the
+young lady herself, who seems to be a granddaughter of a certain
+General von Zwenken, who married my aunt's eldest sister. The young
+lady is at present living with her grandfather; and it would seem that
+my shrewd old aunt, to be revenged on the General, has hit upon this
+means of leaving her fortune to her niece and shutting out the rest
+of 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 to
+lay it at the feet of this 'fair lady.' Nothing seems easier or more
+natural. But suppose the 'fair lady' should be ugly, hunchbacked,
+a shrew, or a troublesome coquette. In this case, you know, with my
+ideas about women and marriage, I should feel myself bound to refuse
+the fortune."
+
+"Refuse! refuse!--at the worst you can propose to divide it between
+you."
+
+"Now that would be acting in direct opposition to the express and
+formal wish of the testatrix. Read the letter and you will see."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+The Honourable Miss Sophia Roselaer de Werve's Letter to her
+Grand-nephew.
+
+
+My very worthy Nephew,--Though I am unknown to you, you are not
+unknown to me. I don't know you personally; but I am pretty well
+informed as to what you are, and what you are not. Thanks to all sorts
+of quarrels in our family, and the inconsistent conduct of my eldest
+sister, I have been forced to live estranged (and shall die so) from
+all my relations. My nearest relations, it is true, died years ago;
+the others are scattered over the world, and scarcely remember their
+relationship to me. Their ancestors, who have done their utmost to
+embitter my life, seem to have left it as a legacy to their children to
+forget me, and to trouble themselves as little about old Aunt Roselaer
+as if she had never existed. But man must think of his end. I am in
+my seventy-fifth year, and a recent attack of apoplexy has warned
+me to put my affairs in order, if I would prevent all disputes about
+the possession of my property, and, above all, save it from falling
+into the hands of those who have done so much to embitter my life. I
+will not suffer it to fall into the hands of a host of nephews and
+nieces, who would attack it like sharks, and divide and crumble into
+pieces what I and my forefathers have accumulated with so much care
+and economy. It is for this reason I have decided to appoint one
+of 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 has
+caused me the least grief. She married a man of her own rank, in a
+good position, with the full consent of her parents; and she could
+not help his falling a victim to the horrible Belgian revolution, in
+which he lost his life and fortune, leaving her with seven daughters,
+one of whom was your mother, who, I must say, troubled herself as
+little as any of the other nieces about Aunt Sophia. I can pardon
+her, however, because when she returned from Belgium to Holland an
+occurrence in our unfortunate family affairs had decided me to break
+off all intercourse with my relations. The second reason, and the
+chief 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 of
+friends and strangers, and the information I have received has always
+been such as to lead me to believe you the most fitting person to carry
+out one wish which I urgently request you to fulfil, if it be at all
+possible; namely, to marry the only grandchild of my eldest sister,
+and in this way put her in possession of that part of my fortune which
+the unpleasant divisions in our family cause me to withhold. I wished
+to adopt the girl in her early youth, give her a good education,
+and save her from the miserable garrison life she has led: but my
+request was bluntly refused; and General von Zwenken, her grandfather,
+has recklessly sacrificed the fortune of his granddaughter for the
+pleasure of being revenged on me. Consequently my will is made with
+the fixed purpose of preventing his ever enjoying a penny that has
+belonged to me. On reflection, however, I have come to the conclusion
+that it would be wrong to punish the granddaughter for the sins of her
+grandparents. After my death, on the contrary, I should like her to
+confess that old Aunt Roselaer, whose name she will only have heard
+mentioned 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 I
+were to leave her my fortune, I should only be playing into the hands
+of her grandfather, who would doubtless spend every penny of it in
+the same way he spent that of my sister. And so it has occurred to
+me, Leopold, to single you out and make you the sole possessor of
+all my wealth, with the request that you will make good the wrong
+which I have been forced to do. The question now is, whether you
+will be able to accomplish my desire. Difficulties may be placed in
+your way by the very person most interested in adopting the means I
+have thought out: in this case, I beseech you to persevere as long
+as there remains a hope of success. If, on the other hand, you raise
+obstacles, if you find it insupportable to have a wife imposed on
+you by a troublesome old aunt, a wife you cannot love, then I release
+you from this condition, for I wish at least one member of the family
+to think of me without abhorrence. Should the worst happen, you must
+consult lawyer Van Beek, who knows my intentions, if you do not wish
+to lose my fortune altogether. I expect better things of you, not
+to mention that I count upon your good heart being moved towards a
+young lady who has been deprived of her rights and the advantages of
+her birth from infancy through the ill-will of her relations. These
+rights 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 not
+Baroness de Werve, is the fault of the General; but his obstinacy
+and folly shall cost him dear.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+"Now, what do you say to this?" asked Leopold, as Verheyst folded up
+the letter with a thoughtful face.
+
+"What do I say to it? Well, that it is a real woman's letter; the
+most 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 hatred
+of this family, and probably for what is the merest trifle."
+
+"What shall I say?--From the merest trifles some of the longest and
+most difficult lawsuits have arisen. But, for your sake, Leopold,
+I could wish that this lady had been possessed of better feelings
+towards her relations; it would render the whole business simpler. If
+the young lady pleases you, marry her; if not, then propose to divide
+the fortune between you. You will both be independent, and one can
+live pretty comfortably on half a million."
+
+"Would to heaven she had left me thirty thousand guilders without
+conditions," 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 has
+chosen you to be her instrument of revenge, why you cannot do less
+than accept the encumbrance."
+
+"I don't see it."
+
+"I feel sure that on her death-bed she chuckled at the idea of leaving
+a champion of her griefs behind."
+
+"That may be so; but if she imagined that for the sake of her money I
+should so far demean myself as to serve her evil designs, then either
+she was greatly mistaken in my character, or she received erroneous
+information about me."
+
+"At present, you don't even know whether anything inconsistent
+with your character is demanded of you. Let me remind you that
+the depositions of the dead are not to be discussed, but as far as
+possible carried out. If after due inquiry you find yourself unable
+to fulfil the conditions of this will, it will still be possible for
+you to stop further proceedings."
+
+"I have written to the lawyer in that sense. I feel it my duty to
+see first whether a marriage be possible. This I am bound to do for
+the young lady's sake; but I should like you to pay a visit to the
+Von 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!" answered
+Verheyst--"opening the preliminaries of your marriage by an
+ambassador. 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 this
+answer, which caused Leopold to start up in surprise.
+
+"You do not mean me to take this reproach seriously?" he asked, feeling
+somewhat touched by his friend's words. "You know well enough I only
+asked a friendly service of one whose clear judgment I prize above
+my 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 obliging
+you. 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 making
+my 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 in
+your life, that I have forgotten to tell you about the change in my
+own. You are not the only person on whom fortune smiles. I have been
+offered and have accepted the post of private secretary to the newly
+appointed Governor-General of our Indian possessions. Besides the high
+salary, and the excellent opportunity of travelling to Java in such a
+comfortable way, my future prospects are so promising that I could not
+for a moment resist the temptation to go. It is much more agreeable to
+me than vegetating in a provincial town, on the look-out for ill-paid
+lawsuits or some legal appointment. I expatriate myself for a year
+or two, to return with all the importance of an Eastern nabob,"
+continued Verheyst, with a faint attempt at a jest which evidently
+did 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 enjoyment
+of my fortune were bound up with you--we were to shoot, hunt, and
+travel together."
+
+"What about your wife?" asked William.
+
+"My first condition would have been that she must treat my friend
+kindly."
+
+"It is all the better; you should not be under the necessity of making
+any such conditions. Possibly you may have difficulties enough to
+overcome, without my standing in the way."
+
+"Really, William, I feel inclined to refuse the fortune, and go to
+Java with you."
+
+"Nonsense, man, pluck up your courage, and trust to those feelings of
+honour and delicacy of which your present scruples only afford me a
+new proof. She may turn out to be a pearl of a wife, this young lady
+whom you are requested to enchase in gold. By the way, do you know
+her 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 will
+give me all necessary information about General von Zwenken and his
+granddaughter Francis Mordaunt."
+
+"Mordaunt! Is her name Francis Mordaunt?" exclaimed Verheyst, in a
+tone of surprise and disappointment.
+
+"Yes, don't you like the name? or have you heard it before?" asked
+Leopold, all in a breath, for the serious looks of his friend
+alarmed him.
+
+"Heard it before! Well, yes--indeed, often, as that of an English
+officer on half-pay who some years ago lived in my province; a man
+against 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 opinion
+from gossiping reports. What I have heard may not be correct; but
+if it be so, I cannot hide from you what it would only disturb your
+peace of mind to know. Therefore, I say, make your own inquiries,
+seek information from people you can trust, and trust only your own
+observations and experience."
+
+"Is she deformed? Is she a fright?" asked Leopold, growing uneasy.
+
+"No, nothing of that sort; in fact, I believe she is rather
+good-looking--at least, enough so to attract admirers, but----"
+
+"Come now, never falter, man! Give me the coup de grace at once. Is
+she 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 worst
+you know of her."
+
+"Oh, there's nothing that one can really call bad; yet in your
+eyes it may appear sinister enough. What I have heard is, that an
+acquaintance of ours, a friend of my youngest brother, was madly in
+love with her, and she refused his offer in a manner little encouraging
+for you. According to his account she must be a regular shrew, who
+declines to marry on the grounds that she will acknowledge no man to
+be 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 has
+taken fright and run away--gone off to Africa, as if afraid of meeting
+her 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 the
+richest banker in our part of the country. I don't wish to frighten
+you, 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 a
+woman, only proves her to be a girl of character. I begin to think
+there will be something piquant in this adventure, and I prefer a
+lively young lady to a wearisome, insignificant girl."
+
+"I am glad to hear you take up the subject so pleasantly. I, for my
+part, should not like to be engaged in such a contest, but you are
+morally obliged----"
+
+"In fact, without the obligation, your account has so excited my
+curiosity that I should feel tempted to undertake this conquest. Do
+you see this portrait of the fifteenth century? It is that of one of
+my ancestors who, for the honour of his lady, suffered his left hand
+to be cut off. He was very ugly, and whenever I was naughty or in
+a 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 of
+that order. She said I had the same fierce glance of the eyes when I
+was naughty, and I have since been convinced that she was right. The
+resemblance struck me in a private interview I once had with my uncle,
+the Cabinet Minister. I was accidentally standing before a glass, when
+he upbraided the memory of my dead father, saying he had married a wife
+without fortune, instead of following his (my uncle's) example--using
+his title as a bait with which to catch an heiress. His Excellency saw
+the likeness, too; for he politely turned the conversation, and led me
+to 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. But
+tell 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 her
+fault, poor girl. I must try to improve her, and be both lover and
+schoolmaster to my wife. Who knows--perhaps I must also teach her
+music and dancing!"
+
+"At any rate, you will not have to teach her fencing, for she's already
+an adept at that--at least, according to Charles Felters' report."
+
+"The deuce she is!" exclaimed Leopold, laughing; "that's almost enough
+to 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 where
+she 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 my
+colours, and then she shall retire from military life to settle down
+as a civilian."
+
+"It does me good to see you treat the matter so lightly, for there
+is 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! I
+have been forced to do so under adverse circumstances hitherto. And
+now, my good fellow, let us go and look out for some dinner. I can
+recommend Pyl's Restaurant."
+
+"Why not at the Club?" asked Verheyst; "there we shall meet many
+friends whom I wish to see before my departure."
+
+"I am no longer a member, my dear fellow. After my father's death I
+was obliged to cut down all unnecessary expenses, as my mother had but
+a small pension, and I could bear retrenchment better than a person
+of her age. It is not the subscription, it is the company one meets
+which 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 to
+write a full account of all that should take place during his absence
+in Java, and send to him by mail from time to time. We can only hope
+that this story will prove no less interesting to our readers than
+it 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 am
+entrusting to paper what I would not confide to any living mortal
+but yourself.
+
+My fortune still hangs in the balance. Without doubt the worthy
+testatrix has done everything possible to insure her heritage to me;
+but there are moments when I feel so great a repugnance to it as to
+make me question whether it were not better to renounce it than to
+become the instrument of Miss Roselaer de Werve's vengeance on this
+side the grave. The idea of having to drive a grey-headed old man
+from his manor-house, and to render a poor young lady, who has a
+family claim on her aunt's inheritance, houseless, is too much for
+me, though a whimsical old woman and the law have done their utmost
+to set my conscience at ease.
+
+But to commence my story. The day after you left me, I went over to
+Utrecht to call on the lawyer, Van Beek. Perhaps in the hurry of our
+parting I forgot to tell you this was my intention. At such times a
+man often forgets the most important things he has to say.
+
+The worthy functionary is a short, thin personage, with a tuft of hair
+hanging over his forehead, sharp eyes, a long, thin nose, and thin
+lips 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 tightly
+that 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 the
+intentions of the testatrix did a fine smile play about his mouth--a
+smile which seemed to say: "You've come round, then, at last, though
+you appeared to hesitate at first."
+
+After a few words as to the sudden death of his client, and her
+express wish to be buried as quietly as possible, without the
+attendance of any of her relations, he told me he had been the
+confidential adviser of Lady Roselaer for the last thirty years,
+and was consequently able to give me all necessary information with
+regard to her dealings with General von Zwenken, and her intentions
+in respect of his granddaughter.
+
+I should only weary you if I attempted to relate all the pitiful
+stories of mischief-making and counter-mischief-making with which,
+long before the birth of Francis, the General and Aunt Sophia
+endeavoured to render each other's life miserable. I now comprehend
+that she neither could nor would leave her fortune to such a man,
+and I approve of the course she has taken for Francis' sake, who
+would have been the greatest sufferer if her aunt had not acted with
+so much foresight and prudence. The General is a spendthrift, or,
+to put it in the mildest terms, a bad financier. His affairs, the
+lawyer says--and the lawyer evidently knows more about them than the
+General does himself--are in such a state that, to use an expression
+of Macaulay's, "the whole wealth of the East would not suffice to
+put them in order and keep them so."
+
+Still, does this justify my aunt's inexorable hatred? I am sure, if
+you saw her portrait, you would scarcely believe her capable of it:
+a stately dame in a rich black silk gown, with silvery grey hair under
+a black lace cap, and a string of priceless pearls round her neck--so
+she appears in a painting done in the last year of her life. And this
+she has bequeathed to her legal adviser, because she believed none
+of her relations would be able to look upon it with pleasure. On this
+point, I fancy, she was not far deceived. I myself, her favoured heir,
+honestly confess that much must happen, much be cleared up, before I
+can regard it with any degree of cheerfulness and gratitude, seeing I
+know what a Shylock-spirit once breathed in that thin, slender figure
+of 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. Being
+strictly orthodox himself, he accounts for all her singularities
+by saying they are the outcome of her great admiration of the ideas
+prevalent 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 Correspondence
+in her hand, though she knew this would not be particularly pleasing
+to the future possessor of that portrait.
+
+"Well, well, Jonker," he continued, "since you ask me for the truth
+about the life and actions of your deceased aunt, I must tell you she
+seldom 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 year
+to all sorts of institutions; subscribed liberally to any fund for
+the benefit of the lower classes; but would never give a penny to
+the 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 her
+not to contribute to the increase of a race of hypocrites. You will
+understand that in my position I could not insist further on this
+subject. Besides, she did not make use of her riches for herself,
+except with the greatest economy. She occupied a small villa just
+outside the town of Utrecht, and her beautiful country-seat in
+Gelderland, as well as her magnificent house in town, were both let
+to strangers. She kept but one man-servant, an aged waiting-woman,
+and a cook. The gardener who rented her kitchen-garden supplied her
+with vegetables, and kept her flowers in order. She had no carriage,
+and sometimes did not go out for weeks together. Neither did she
+receive company, denying herself to all visitors except Dr. D., her old
+friend, who made a professional visit every day, and came regularly
+two evenings a week with his married sister to play cards. I saw her
+as often as business affairs rendered it necessary, and once a month
+she invited me, my wife and daughter, to dinner. On these occasions
+Dr. D. and his sister were also invited; but I never remember to
+have 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 man
+with roguish eyes, and beautiful mustachios; and I suspect he made
+love to her a la Voltaire, for she bought drawings of him which she
+never even looked at. He was, otherwise, a good young fellow, with
+a widowed mother to maintain; and the capital she has left is large
+enough to permit of such a freak of fancy----"
+
+"Oh, certainly!" I interrupted, "I am glad that the latter days of
+her monotonous life were cheered by anybody. But what you have told
+me of her views with regard to the Church leads me to doubt whether
+I ought to accept her heritage, since, once in possession of it, I
+shall feel it my duty to make use of her money for purposes directly
+contrary to her wishes."
+
+"I don't think you need have any scruples; for she was very well
+acquainted with the character of Jonker van Zonshoven, and what might
+be expected of him in such matters. Yet you see this did not deter
+her from entrusting her fortune to you. Besides, she was liberal
+enough with regard to the views of other people. Her maid is strictly
+orthodox, and yet every Sunday a carriage was placed at her service
+to convey her to church; and she is left well provided for during
+the rest of her life. It is probable Lady Roselaer considered you
+the person likely to make good what she had left undone either from
+false shame or obstinacy. Had this not been her intention, she was a
+woman 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 is
+situated on the borders of Gelderland and Overyssel, and is surrounded
+by extensive woods, moors, and arable land. It is at present occupied
+by General von Zwenken, and formerly was in the possession of Aunt
+Sophia's parents. To its possession is attached the title of Baron,
+with seignorial rights--rights which in our time are little more than
+nominal, yet to which old Aunt Sophia seems to have attached immense
+value. Her father, old Baron Roselaer van de Werve, had no son (a great
+trial for him, as you may suppose), but three daughters, of whom Aunt
+Sophia 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 to
+the Castle de Werve and the estates attached to it. This arrangement
+was exceedingly offensive to Aunt Sophia, who had expected her father
+to leave the castle to her, and at one time she had good reasons for
+fostering such expectations.
+
+Her eldest sister had been the source of much grief and sorrow to the
+old people. She had secretly entered into a romantic love-engagement
+with a young Swiss officer--then Captain von Zwenken--and considering
+it impossible to obtain the consent of her parents to such a marriage,
+she eloped with Von Zwenken, who took her to Switzerland, where they
+were married. This union, according to Dutch law, and in the opinion
+of Aunt Sophia, was illegal. The weak parents (as Sophia called them),
+however, at length became reconciled to their son-in-law, and when
+the 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 the
+eldest son in the parable. She had never been on good terms with her
+romantic sister; she persisted in regarding her brother-in-law as
+an 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; but
+even these few days were stormy, and sufficed to divide the family
+connexions into two parties, for and against the Von Zwenkens. Aunt
+Sophia's strong point was the irregularity of the marriage, solemnized
+in a foreign country. Those who disagreed with her and recognized
+the Swiss captain as a relation, she looked upon as deadly enemies;
+while those who took her side in the contest were received by Baron
+and Baroness Roselaer with freezing coolness. In a word, it was the
+history of the Montagues and the Capulets re-enacted on a small scale
+in the eighteenth century on Dutch territory. They did not attack each
+other with dagger and poison, but used the tongue for weapon. They
+annoyed, they insulted each other, whenever and wherever they found
+an opportunity; there were hair-splitting disputes, and retaliation
+without truce or pity; and lawsuits followed which swallowed large sums
+of money. A good business for the lawyers, who only made "confusion
+worse confounded."
+
+When old Baroness Roselaer--who always pleaded for peace and
+forgiveness--shortly afterwards died, Sophia thought she would be
+able to exert unlimited influence over her father, as she now became
+the recognized mistress of the house. She even took advantage of
+her position, during the stay of her brother-in-law for the funeral,
+to make him so uncomfortable, that on leaving the house he told the
+old Baron he would never enter it again. Sophia was in triumph. She
+thought she had banished Von Zwenken from the house; but she forgot
+her sister's children, and the joy and pride the old Baron was likely
+to take in a grandson and future heir to his title and estates. Though
+he never talked to Sophia on the subject, he was secretly embittered
+against her as being the cause of this new estrangement, and his great
+pleasure 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's
+will was read, and she found that the Castle de Werve, with its
+seignorial rights, descended to Madame von Zwenken and her children.
+
+It is true she inherited a just share of the property; but the very
+part she loved best, the home of her childhood, where she had been
+brought up, and which she never willingly would have quitted, was
+taken from her and given to the man whom she considered so unworthy
+of it, and so little capable of appreciating the advantages attached
+to its possession. She felt herself slighted, and to this slight
+is to be attributed the restless hatred and unrelenting bitterness
+with which she pursued the General during the rest of her life. She
+declared her brother and sister had worked upon her father's feelings
+by cunning and intrigue; and she would never believe that the old
+Baron had left them the property of his own free-will, or for the
+sake of his grandchildren.
+
+It being now the Captain's opportunity, he ordered her to leave the
+house with all possible speed; and this was the more galling, as he
+did not himself retire from active service and occupy the castle as the
+old Baron had desired him to do. He was changed about from one garrison
+town to another, daily expecting to be ordered on foreign service, and
+therefore unable to derive much enjoyment from his possessions. His
+wife and children would sometimes stay a few weeks at the castle
+in the summer; but the former did not long survive her father. The
+children stayed with Von Zwenken in the garrison, until the daughter
+was old enough to go to a boarding-school in Switzerland, and the son
+to 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 as
+he afterwards proved himself dishonest. The old steward, who had been
+dismissed to make room for this stranger, was immediately engaged by
+Aunt Sophia to stay in the neighbourhood and keep her informed of all
+that happened at the castle. For though she had removed to another
+province in which her own estates were situated, she could neither
+separate her affections nor her thoughts from her old home.
+
+Sometimes the Captain, who had now obtained the rank of Major, would
+come with a party of friends for the shooting, but he never seemed to
+observe that the whole place was going to rack and ruin. Further, he
+was always in want of money; and when his daughter married an English
+officer, Sir John Mordaunt, he was obliged to sell a considerable
+part of his estates, so as to be able to give her the portion of the
+fortune left her by her mother.
+
+He had already several mortgages on the property, and as his son led a
+wild life at college these went on increasing from year to year; until,
+when at last on obtaining his colonel's pension and the honorary rank
+of general he was able to retire to the Castle de Werve, all he could
+call 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, besides
+inheriting largely from a rich cousin who had taken her part in the
+family quarrel.
+
+As the proverb says, "hatred has four eyes," and so she, making use
+of the information obtained from the old steward, appointed a lawyer
+to buy up on her behalf all the land sold by the General. This lawyer
+had further instructions to advance money on the mortgages, and to
+exact the interest with the greatest promptitude. In this way my
+aunt became so well acquainted with Von Zwenken's money difficulties,
+that she could calculate the day, nay, even the hour, when he would
+be at her mercy.
+
+At last, imagining the favourable moment had arrived, she sent a lawyer
+to offer him a much larger sum for the castle and the seignorial
+rights than any one else would be likely to give, seeing that she
+was secretly in possession of the surrounding estates.
+
+The General's answer was to this effect: "He would not sell the
+seignorial rights at any price; and as for the castle, he had promised
+his deceased wife to keep her sister out of it at all costs, and he
+would rather see it fall about his ears than that Miss Sophia Roselaer
+should ever set foot inside it again."
+
+Poor man, he little knew how much she had him in her power, and all
+the precautions she had taken. Otherwise he would have reflected
+twice before sending such an answer. Something suddenly occurred
+which obliged him to mortgage even the house itself--the cause is a
+mystery--and now Aunt Sophia might have been revenged; but for some
+inexplicable reason she countermanded her orders to Van Beek, who
+does not himself know why. Just before her death she sent for him to
+change 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 the
+invitation.
+
+In the course of the conversation Van Beek said--
+
+"The country seat, Runenburg, will be at your disposal on the 31st
+of 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. They
+are very respectable people. How am I to act in the matter?"
+
+I stared at him in surprise and perplexity. Such a strange feeling
+came 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 was
+paid), 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 until
+the 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 legal
+interpretation of the will."
+
+"Would you not like to see the house whilst you are in Utrecht? It
+is 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 my
+aunt lived: from its surroundings I may be able to obtain a better
+idea of her character."
+
+"Oh, with pleasure, Jonker! I thought I had already told you," began
+Van Beek, somewhat embarrassed, "that the old lady had bequeathed
+it to me, on condition her maid should occupy it as long as she
+lives. It is a splendid legacy; that I do not deny. But consider,
+I have served her thirty years in all kinds of business, some of
+which cost me much trouble and loss of time. And I may remind you
+that 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 serve
+him to the best of my ability by my counsel."
+
+"My dear sir," I rejoined, "it was to be expected that aunt would
+treat you generously. It is not my intention to dispute any of her
+bequests. It will be a sort of pilgrimage for me."
+
+"We will drive there at once after luncheon. It is only half an hour's
+distance from the town."
+
+I must confess the interior of my aunt's dwelling did not enable me to
+gather any new ideas of the strange personage who once occupied it. The
+old waiting-woman received us with coolness, and chanted the praises
+of her late mistress in pious terms. The young cook shed a torrent
+of 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 come
+there to cut off his legacy. The house was furnished in a moderately
+comfortable style, most of the furniture being of the good solid
+sort common in the reign of King William I., though there had been
+an attempt to imitate the style of the First French Empire. There was
+only one sofa in the house, and one armchair a la Voltaire, in which
+Miss Roselaer reposed herself for just one hour after dinner every
+day. 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. I
+pointed out to Van Beek that I should like to possess this small
+but well-selected library. All the books are beautifully though not
+showily bound, and they bear marks of assiduous reading. Among the
+"unbelieving books" are the works of Fenelon, Bossuet, and Pascal,
+peacefully assorted with those of Voltaire and the Encyclopaedists,
+whilst Lavater, Gellert, Lessing, and Klopstock find a place by the
+side of Goethe and Schiller, and the plays of Iffland and Kotzebue.
+
+This was the first moment of unalloyed pleasure I have felt since I
+came into my fortune, when I once more cast my eyes over the library
+and beheld it with all the pride of ownership. I involuntarily put
+forth my hand to snatch up one of the volumes, as if I thereby wished
+to signify I was taking possession. Van Beek smiled and twinkled his
+cunning little eyes; but the maid, who was standing by, looked at me
+as though I had committed a sacrilege.
+
+"I should rather have thought the Jonker would have preferred my
+lady'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 as
+a memento."
+
+"Oh no, Jonker! such a worldly, new-fashioned book I would not have
+in my possession. I can't look upon it as God's word; and I could
+never understand how my lady found edification in it."
+
+"What's the matter with the Bible?" I asked Van Beek as we left
+the house.
+
+"Nothing, absolutely nothing. It is an ordinary States-Bible, only
+not printed in the old-fashioned German type." [2]
+
+Upon my word, I thought aunt must indeed have been pretty
+liberal-minded to have put up with so bigoted a servant for so
+many years.
+
+The next day I set out for the small town of Zutphen, which is within
+an 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 introduction
+to his friend Overberg, a lawyer in Zutphen, and I called upon this
+worthy man of the law as soon as I arrived in the town. This Overberg
+was the agent of my old Aunt Roselaer in these quarters, and it was
+through his good management of her affairs that she gradually obtained
+possession of Von Zwenken's property, as the General usually borrowed
+money of Overberg. After all, the General was more fortunate than
+if he had fallen into the hands of usurers, who, speculating on his
+weakness, would have ruined him in a much shorter time. Overberg had
+advised the General to accept the offer of his sister-in-law--with
+what result you already know. For this reason he recommended me,
+if I wished to obtain a kindly reception at the Castle, not to
+present myself there as the heir to Miss Roselaer's property; such
+an introduction being calculated to raise a prejudice against me
+from the first. Therefore I decided to present myself as a relation
+anxious to make the acquaintance of the family.
+
+Seizing the opportunity, I began to question Overberg about Miss
+Mordaunt.
+
+"I have only spoken to her once," he said; "the General always comes
+to see me in person. She is never seen in the town now. Once, indeed,
+whilst the General was still commandant of the garrison here, she
+came to consult me on a matter personal to herself, but that is a
+long time ago."
+
+The good-natured lawyer, though ignorant of my matrimonial plans,
+doubtless read disappointment in my face, for he resumed, as if to
+excuse the meagreness of his information--
+
+"You see, sir, the General then lived in grand style; and a wide
+distinction was also made in society between the military and the
+bourgeoisie. I was a widower, my time fully occupied, and I seldom went
+into society. Since my second marriage, however, we have parties and
+dinners enough--and that reminds me my wife has a soiree this evening;
+several young ladies who know Miss Mordaunt are invited. Will you spend
+the evening with us? You can leave tomorrow early for the Werve. I will
+introduce you to the company as a gentleman looking out for a villa in
+our neighbourhood; for as you know, in a small town like ours, it is
+necessary to give a reason for your appearance among us, otherwise one
+will be invented--and such inventions are not always of a flattering
+kind. I can easily give the conversation a turn so as to cause it to
+fall 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 agreeably
+than 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 his
+business and the way to treat his clients politely and persuasively;
+he always discourages lawsuits, recommends delay and an attempt at an
+arrangement, and thus quietly brings about the desired result without,
+as it were, seeming to interfere. Aunt Sophia respected him highly for
+his discretion and foresight, though she took care never to let him
+see through her intentions, since he was not the man to take sharp
+and decisive measures. For any such business she employed Van Beek,
+who is a man to carry out the law to the letter, without feeling any
+pity for the sufferer.
+
+It was therefore in keeping with Overberg's character that he
+recommended me to temporize with the General, to give him time to
+pay his debts, and not to drive such an old man to despair, though
+he was a foreigner. The good man little knew he was preaching to one
+who already shared his views, and whose inmost wish was to deal as
+gently as possible with Von Zwenken.
+
+I must acknowledge that what I heard at the soiree did not make a
+favourable impression on me. The past life of the young lady must
+have been a singular one, if there be any truth in the gossip I heard
+about 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 criticising
+their neighbours.
+
+But, however, you must judge for yourself from what follows.
+
+Among the ladies to whom I was introduced was a charming young
+widow with jet-black eyes and lively features; she is a niece of
+the Roselaers, I am told, and at first I felt very sorry her name
+was not Francis Mordaunt, the niece-elect of Aunt Sophia. However,
+when Overberg had drawn her out a little on the subject of the Von
+Zwenkens, I felt exceedingly glad to think our acquaintance would
+not extend beyond the present evening.
+
+I began to feel a most intense hatred against her, so unmercifully
+did she attack poor Francis.
+
+"Yes, they had been well acquainted when her grandfather was commandant
+of the garrison, and she herself had visited at the house of the
+Colonel. But no, friendship had never existed between her and the
+young lady; she was too eccentric and ill-mannered. Just imagine,
+Jonker, she came to our house one evening when she knew there was to
+be dancing and music. Yes, she dropped in, as nonchalant as possible,
+in a dark merino dress, fastened up to the neck, with a turn-down
+collar and a silk neckerchief--just for all the world like a boy. And
+her boots--they might have belonged to some plough-boy. Upon my word,
+I believe there were nails in the soles; a non-commissioned officer
+would not have been so rude as to enter a salon in them."
+
+"Perhaps she had made a mistake about the evening," I said, by way
+of excuse.
+
+"Certainly not! She received her invitation a week beforehand. Surely
+that was time enough to get a ball-dress made. And it was not because
+she hadn't got any other dresses; for two days afterwards she came
+to a house where we were invited to spend a quiet evening, en grande
+toilette, a low dress (as if she expected to be invited to dance),
+and resplendent with jewellery and diamonds. Now I ask you if that
+was not done to annoy us and to wound our feelings?"
+
+"It seems to me she took more trouble to do honour to the ladies than
+she 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, dressed
+in an old-fashioned style, who I should have thought would have been
+the last person to come to the defence of a sex that had so clearly
+neglected her.
+
+"And the gentlemen--no doubt they reciprocated her nonchalance?" I
+asked. "It is very probable she was left in the company of the elderly
+ladies all the evening to increase the number of 'wall flowers.'"
+
+"Yes! but it was because she wished it," replied the widow. "She
+would be sure of partners, though she were never such a fright. All
+the young officers are, as a matter of course, obliged 'to do the
+amiable' to the granddaughter of their colonel. Moreover, Francis
+Mordaunt is mistress of the art of attracting or repelling as it
+pleases her. Notwithstanding all her strange whims and caprices,
+she is never at a loss for a partner, and the moment she enters any
+ball-room she becomes the observed of all observers. The gentlemen
+flock 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 out
+her smart repartees, and the unladylike answers which have made her
+so 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!" I
+could not help remarking.
+
+"That is not strange, Jonker! The peculiar manner she has adopted to
+render herself noticeable is just the one our sex cannot suffer. In
+all her victories we saw a defeat; the good tone was lost."
+
+"And how did the party pass off for Miss Mordaunt in that curious
+dress?" I inquired, for I had less interest in carrying on a combat
+d'esprit with the vicious little widow than in drawing out a more
+complete sketch of Francis' character, though it might be coloured
+by slander.
+
+"Just as she wished it, I believe. In the early part of the evening
+she was somewhat neglected, and this was evidently her wish, for she
+did nothing to prevent it; on the contrary, she had told the hostess
+that 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 said
+that lest afterwards she should feel ashamed of herself at the close
+of the party, in case no one invited her to dance."
+
+"In fact, it requires more moral courage than the gentlemen in these
+parts 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 the
+unfortunate leader of the dance had to sacrifice himself. Lieutenant
+Wilibald, 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 the
+contrary, she was so recalcitrant, so inattentive and so awkward,
+that she often caused confusion, and her partner had the greatest
+difficulty to rectify her mistakes. Indeed, the polite young officer
+was pitied by the whole company, and the more so because it was known
+that he was sacrificing himself to a sense of duty; for he was engaged
+to a charming young lady who had been prevented from attending the
+ball by a recent death in the family."
+
+"Pardon, madame; permit me to say that your representation of the
+facts is not quite correct," interrupted Captain Sanders, in whose
+favour I immediately became prepossessed on account of his serious
+and earnest look. "Allow me to set you right as to facts, for I am
+a friend of Lieutenant Wilibald's, and I know he would be sorry if
+what you have said should go forth to the world as truth. It was by
+no means a disagreeable task for him to lead out Miss Mordaunt in any
+dress she chose to appear in, for he was too much in love with her
+to notice such small matters as dress. Yes, I venture to say, if it
+had depended on him alone he would not have married the woman he has;
+but he was forced by circumstances, and Miss Mordaunt did her utmost
+to promote the marriage and to put him in possession of a fortune."
+
+I inwardly thanked the Captain for his chivalrous defence of the
+absent, and I would gladly have taken him by the hand and done so
+publicly, but that this would have prevented my hearing more on the
+subject of Francis.
+
+"And has Miss Mordaunt been married since?" I asked, trying to put
+the question as disinterestedly as possible.
+
+"Why, no!" cried the elderly spinster with a triumphant smile. "So
+far as we know (and we know pretty well everything that happens in
+our circle), she has never had an offer."
+
+"Ah! that is very strange; a young lady who seems to be possessed of
+so many attractions," I observed.
+
+"That's not at all strange," interrupted the little widow, in a
+coquettish, sentimental tone. "It was never difficult for her to
+attract admirers and flatterers for the moment, but it is only by
+the heart that a woman wins true affection and esteem; and, with the
+Captain's permission, no one could ever believe Francis Mordaunt to
+be in earnest, for she has no heart--she never cared for anything
+but horses and dogs."
+
+"You forget her grandfather!" pleaded the Captain.
+
+"Well, yes, she has been his idol; but this very fact has turned out
+her 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, chere amie? He was afraid of her." (It was the
+elderly spinster who again began the attack.) "He could roar at his
+officers, but he was afraid of a scene with Francis."
+
+"Excuse me for once more contradicting you, miss. Colonel von Zwenken
+never roared at his officers--this I know by experience; but it is
+true he was conspicuous by his absence when Francis Mordaunt went
+into society. He suffered her to go out when she liked, and with whom
+she liked. Alas! he sat at the card table in his club whilst Francis
+by 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 Captain
+Sanders may say, we are not making her conduct appear worse than it
+is; we are only speaking of it as it struck us at the time."
+
+"That everybody must acknowledge," said an old lady, who had thus far
+listened with sparkling eyes. "Only remember what talk her conduct
+gave rise to when she met the stranger staying at the 'Golden Salmon,'
+by appointment, unknown to the Colonel, who had forbidden the man his
+house! Did she not set all our ideas of good breeding at defiance by
+walking in the plantation in open daylight with a perfect stranger."
+
+"In fact, I am assured she pawned her diamonds to pay his hotel
+bill. She even wished to sell them, for she asked a friend of mine
+to buy them."
+
+Overberg's healthy, blooming face turned pale; but he said nothing. The
+Captain, however, spoke again--
+
+"It is only too true she would risk all to attain her ends, if she
+had once set her mind on a thing."
+
+"And that for a person who went to a third-rate hotel--did not even
+give his own name, as it was said afterwards; and who certainly was
+a sharper or a coiner."
+
+"If such had been the case, the police would have looked after him
+sharp," interposed Overberg.
+
+"That is my opinion also," said the Captain; "and I think Wilibald
+Smeekens was right. He said it was some one who had formerly committed
+a breach of military discipline, and whom she out of pity wished to
+assist in getting out of the country."
+
+"Ahem! out of pity," said the old lady. "Young ladies should be careful
+how they show such pity--carrying on an intrigue. I can assure you
+that at the time it was a question whether we ought not to banish
+her from our society."
+
+"But no one dared to pronounce the sentence of banishment," said the
+Captain, "for fear of the Colonel, who had it in his power to refuse
+the military music for the balls and open-air concerts in summer. And
+this he certainly would have done if he had known what was hatching
+against his granddaughter. But the ladies were more prudent; they
+pulled poor Francis to pieces behind her back."
+
+"With this result," added the elderly spinster, "that of her own
+accord she almost entirely withdrew from our society."
+
+"No, there is another reason," said the widow, with a significant
+shake of the head; "it was not our treatment, but her own conscience
+which pricked her after that affair with her coachman."
+
+"Yes, you are quite right; that was a sad affair," assented the
+Captain, 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 words
+stuck in my throat; I felt as if they would choke me. The postmaster,
+however, who had just entered the room, put the question, which the
+tongues of the ladies were quivering with impatience to answer.
+
+"Unfortunately, no one knows the exact particulars," began the elderly
+spinster, whose shrill, sharp voice made itself heard above the rest;
+"but it is generally believed she wished to make her coachman elope
+with her. Possibly she might have succeeded, but the man was already
+married, and when that became known----"
+
+"She pitched him off the box whilst the horses were going at a furious
+rate," put in the old lady, with a demoniacal smile of pleasure.
+
+"Others who are supposed to know, say she struck him dead with the
+whip," added the little widow, who must have her say. "Horrible! most
+horrible!" she continued, turning up her eyes with mock sentimentality.
+
+Yes, horrible indeed, thought I, when both young ladies and old vie
+with each other in a wicked desire to give the coup de grace to one
+of their own sex who has erred, or, may be, only taken one false step
+in 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 lies
+in the churchyard."
+
+"Yes, now you've got the truth without any figures of speech," jested
+the widow; "and with him the crime is buried, and hushed up for ever."
+
+"With your permission, ladies, had there been a question of anything
+of 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 a
+great friend of the Colonel's, plays cards with him every evening,
+and to palliate the affair, and silence public indignation, he made
+an official visit to the commandant's house. Francis Mordaunt was
+examined, and, as might be expected beforehand, came out of the
+affair 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 you
+mean 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 to
+keep quiet. Such people are easily frightened. One thing, however,
+is certain, and that is, Major Frank has not dared to show her face
+in our circle since; and besides this, it seems to have been the
+cause of her grandfather retiring from the service."
+
+"He had attained the age to be put on the retired list," said the
+Captain; "and with his pension he obtained the honorary rank of
+General."
+
+"Be that as it may, the General retired from the world to Castle de
+Werve," 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 regard
+to the shooting," said Overberg; "for the General has not renewed his
+shooting license and has leased the shooting over his own estates to
+a client of mine, who, however, leaves the hares and partridges in
+perfect peace."
+
+This latter remark led to a long conversation amongst the gentlemen
+about the shooting and fishing in the neighbourhood, whilst the ladies
+set 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 made
+a deep impression on my mind. Taking me aside, he whispered in my ear--
+
+"We will talk this subject over to-morrow morning before your
+departure; in the meantime don't let it trouble you. You know the
+proverb: 'The devil's not so black as he is painted.'"
+
+It was easy for him to talk; but, alas! he knew not yet the reasons
+I had for being so deeply interested in this young lady.
+
+I passed a restless night. In the morning, when the carriage I had
+ordered over-night drove up to the door, I was still debating in
+my own mind whether I should go to the Werve, or tell my driver to
+take me to the nearest station and return to the Hague. After a few
+minutes, however, Overberg made his appearance, and accosted me in
+the following words--
+
+"I believe I have guessed your noble intention, which is to make the
+acquaintance of Miss Mordaunt, and, if she please you, to remove all
+difficulties in the most amiable manner possible. I cannot tell you how
+praiseworthy, how wise and sensible, your plan seems to me; but what
+surprises me is that the testatrix never suggested it to you, she being
+a 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 it
+from you--and it was my intention to follow her advice. But what I
+heard last night has quite changed my mind on that point."
+
+"Nonsense! Never let gossip have any influence over you. Remember
+that people living in a small town are possessed by the evil spirit
+of slander, and furthermore, that they express their opinions in a
+very crude manner."
+
+"That's all well and good; but in a small town where every one is
+known by his neighbour, people would not dare to calumniate and
+slander each other without grounds."
+
+"I will not attempt to contradict your statement; but let me remind
+you that certain uncommon occurrences and eccentric acts on the part
+of a young lady may be explained in different ways, and why should
+you believe the worse account of them, coloured as it certainly is by
+envy, hatred, and malice. I willingly confess I could not contradict
+all that was said about Miss Mordaunt last night; my business has
+always been with her grandfather, who speaks of her in the highest
+terms. For this reason I could not foresee that the ladies would be so
+severe on her conduct. Otherwise I should have avoided the subject, and
+made 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 so
+often seen the most wicked accusations burst like a soap-bubble when
+submitted to the touchstone of cross-examination, that now I believe
+nothing which I have not seen with my own eyes, or for which I have
+not proofs equal to the same."
+
+"Then with regard to the diamonds, you have some certain proofs?" I
+asked.
+
+"You are right; I was engaged in that business. The young lady required
+more money than the goldsmith was willing to advance on them; and they
+were never offered for sale unless he took such a liberty during the
+hour 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 the
+diamonds or accept the interest on the money she lent; consequently
+the 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 one
+with). What the relationship between them was I am unable to say. The
+stranger only stayed four days in the village, and I did not see
+him myself. Of course I have heard the flying reports. Some people
+say 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 latter
+account may also be true, for, as you know, a woman's sympathy is
+often bestowed on the most undeserving creatures."
+
+"With regard to the coachman, you must allow her womanly sympathy
+does not show itself in a favourable light," I interposed, with a
+certain bitterness in my tone.
+
+"I am unacquainted with the facts of that case. Still, I fancy it is
+far from such a bad case as the amiable ladies made it out to be; and
+in your place I should not suffer it to interfere with my projected
+visit to the Werve. Miss Mordaunt has been accused, in my presence,
+of brusque manners, imprudent behaviour, and so forth; but she is
+renowned for her plain and straightforward dealing, which has brought
+her into disrepute with her female friends, they preferring to say
+the most impertinent things in the blandest tone possible. I am sure
+you 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 with
+the General to arrange matters will be absolutely necessary."
+
+There was no refuting Overberg's line of argument. I confessed to
+myself that it would be unfair on my part to form an opinion until
+after a personal interview and further inquiries. So, accepting his
+advice, I stepped into the carriage, and ordered the driver to take
+the road to the Castle de Werve.
+
+The morning was raw and cold, without sun, and the air was so heavy
+that I did not know whether to expect snow or hail. At the toll-bar
+my driver made inquiries about a short cut through a lane planted
+with poplars, which would bring us out near the "fir wood."
+
+As the country was very monotonous, and there was nothing to attract
+my attention, I sank into deep thought, and began arranging a plan for
+my conduct on first meeting with my cousin, a little speech to be made
+when I was presented to her, and so forth. But then it occurred to me
+that our best-laid schemes are generally thrown into confusion by the
+circumstances of the event: how much more likely was this to be the
+case 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 a
+standstill, and the driver pointed out to me that the lane terminated
+in a half-circle--he had taken the lane on the wrong side of the
+wood. Whilst speaking we heard a horse galloping behind us, and in
+another 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 do
+you 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 the
+Castle as soon as possible. A few minutes later, however, he had got
+his carriage on such marshy ground that he was obliged to request me
+to 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 on
+the outskirts of the wood, and separated from the ploughed cornfields
+by a half-dry ditch, luxuriantly overgrown with all kinds of marsh
+plants. On our right was a heath; on the left potato fields. There
+was not a soul to be seen, and on consulting my watch I found it was
+just twelve o'clock. Consequently all the farm labourers had gone
+home 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 in
+the 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 a
+good view of her; and I cannot say that this first sight reconciled
+me to the person who had already caused me so many disagreeable
+emotions. Perhaps it was not her fault; but she was dressed in such
+a strange manner that at first sight I was doubtful whether a man
+or a woman stood before me. She had gathered up her riding-habit in
+a way that reminded me of Zouave trousers, and she had, besides, put
+on a wide cloak made of some long-haired material--which was doubtless
+very useful this sharp, cold spring day, but which, buttoned up to her
+throat, was not adapted to show off the beauty of her form if she was
+really well-shaped. Her head-gear consisted of a gray billy-cock hat
+with a soft, downward-bent brim, ornamented with a bunch of cock's
+feathers negligently fastened with a green ribbon--just as if she
+really wished to imitate the wild huntsman of the fairy tale. And then,
+because it was rather windy, she had tied a red silk handkerchief over
+her hat and fastened it under her chin. She wore no veil. As far as I
+could judge of her appearance, she seemed to be rather delicately built
+and slim, with a fine Roman nose. Still, I was not in the humour to be
+agreeably impressed by a face convulsed with laughter, and bandaged
+up as if she had the toothache. Her laugh sounded to my ears like
+a provocation, and rendered me little inclined to be courteous to a
+woman who had so evidently forgotten all feminine self-respect.
+
+"Listen," I cried--"listen for a moment, you who are rejoicing so
+much at your neighbour's distress. You would do better to direct us
+on our way."
+
+"There is no way. I should have thought you could see that. Any one
+who 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 ditch
+yonder. Imitate me if you feel inclined, though I fear with your horse
+and 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 approaching
+me as nearly as she could on the opposite side of the ditch. "What
+is your business at the Castle, sir?" she inquired, in quite another
+tone, 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 say
+to his granddaughter you can address to me. I am Freule Mordaunt."
+
+"I can scarcely believe it; but, if so, may I request Freule Mordaunt
+to appoint a more suitable place than this. What I have got to say
+cannot be shouted across a ditch in the presence of a third person."
+
+"Then you must drive back to the toll-bar. There they will direct
+you 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 all
+visitors, my little Major," I thought to myself. "But now's my
+opportunity, and I will not let it slip me."
+
+So, giving orders to the driver to go on to the village and wait
+for me there, I took my stout walking-stick, fixed it as firmly as
+I could in the muddy bottom of the ditch, and reached the opposite
+side 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 know
+the way, you run the risk of getting lost again."
+
+"You forget that I have a claim on your company for the rest of
+the way."
+
+"A claim! how do you make that out?"
+
+"Miss Mordaunt promised me an interview; is it strange that I should
+seize the first occasion that offers?"
+
+"I don't even know the way myself. My horse has lost a shoe, and I
+have left him at the game-keeper's, so I shall have to get home as
+well as I can without assistance. Have you really business at the
+Castle? I can assure you the General has an aversion to visitors!"
+
+"I wish to make his acquaintance and yours, as I am staying in the
+neighbourhood, and I, remember, I am related to the family Von Zwenken
+by my mother's side."
+
+"So much the worse for you. At the Castle relationship is a bad
+recommendation."
+
+"That I have already heard; but I am not a Roselaer, I am a Van
+Zonshoven, Freule--Leopold van Zonshoven," I said, introducing myself.
+
+"I have never heard the name before. However, as you are not a Roselaer
+you perhaps stand a better chance of a kind reception. But is it
+quite certain you do not come to trouble the General about business?"
+
+"In that case I should have sent a lawyer, with orders not to
+inconvenience Miss Mordaunt."
+
+"Then you would have done wrong," she rejoined, becoming serious. "The
+General is over seventy, and has had a life full of trouble; and I will
+not try to conceal from you that he has many cares and difficulties
+to contend with even now. It is for this reason I desire you to
+tell me without reserve the object of your visit. Perhaps I can find
+some means----"
+
+"I protest to you that my greatest desire is to assist you in sparing
+your grandfather all annoyance."
+
+"The sentiment does you honour, but it leads me to doubt your
+relationship, for it is contrary to all our family traditions."
+
+"There are exceptions to every rule, as you know, and I hope to prove
+myself an exception in your family traditions."
+
+"Then you shall be welcome at the Werve also by exception, for as a
+rule we admit no new faces."
+
+"That's a pity; for I cannot think it is your wish to live in such
+isolation."
+
+"Quite my wish!" she interposed, with a certain haughtiness. "I
+have had sufficient experience of mankind to make me care little for
+their society."
+
+"So young, and already such a misanthrope--afraid of the world!" I
+observed.
+
+"I am not so very young--I am turned twenty-six; and the campaign
+years, as grandfather calls them, count double. You may speak to me
+as though I were a woman of forty. I have quite as much experience
+of life."
+
+"Ladies talk like that when they wish to be contradicted."
+
+"Ladies!" she cried, with ineffable contempt. "I very earnestly
+request you not to include me in the category of beings commonly
+denominated ladies."
+
+"In which category must I put you? For, to tell the truth, at first
+sight I did not know what to call you."
+
+"I believe you," she said, with a little laugh; "for to any one who
+does not know me I must appear very odd. But, tell me, what did you
+take me for at first sight--for an apparition of the wild huntsman?"
+
+"An apparition! Certainly not; that's too ethereal. I took you for
+a sad reality--a gamekeeper suffering from toothache."
+
+She seemed piqued for a moment, her cheeks coloured, and she bit
+her lips.
+
+"That's rude," she said at last, and glanced at me with scintillating
+eyes.
+
+"You asked for the truth," I rejoined.
+
+"So I did; and you shall find I can endure the truth. Give me your
+hand, cousin; I think we shall become good friends."
+
+"I hope so, cousin. But don't be generous by halves: let me touch
+your hand, and not that rough riding-glove."
+
+"You are a fastidious fellow," she said, shaking her head; "but you
+shall have your way. There."
+
+And a beautiful white hand lay in mine, which I held a minute longer
+than was absolutely necessary. She did not seem to perceive it.
+
+"But call me Francis; I shall call you Leo. The endless repetition
+of 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 great
+insult 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 this
+nickname. I am neither better nor worse for it. I know, also, that I
+am 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 not
+according to the latest fashions."
+
+"But a woman should try to please others in her way of dressing. In
+my opinion, a woman's first duty is to make herself agreeable. Can
+we 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 have
+put on this shaggy cloak to protect me from the east winds?" she
+demanded sharply.
+
+"I do not judge from that single article of dress; I am referring to
+the ensemble, and one gets a bad opinion of a young lady's taste when
+she 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 easily
+remedied, if the wind will respect my billycock;" and hereupon she
+untied the handkerchief and unpinned her riding-habit.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+As she stepped forward, the long train of her riding-habit added
+to the beauty of her slender figure. Now, indeed, I could see that
+she was not ugly, though she had done her best to render herself
+unattractive. It is true her features were sharp and irregular,
+but neither rude nor coarse. In her face there was an expression of
+haughtiness and firmness, that spoke loudly of conscientious strength
+and independent character. It was clear that she had struggled and
+suffered a good deal, without allowing it to rob her of her natural
+cheerfulness and good spirits. Her large blue eyes expressed an
+open-heartedness which inspired confidence. That they could gleam
+with indignation, or glow with enthusiasm, I had already experienced.
+
+She walked along with considerable difficulty, for her dress caused
+her to trip at almost every step. I offered her my arm, but she
+refused 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 not
+laughing at you personally; but I am always so tickled when I see
+the 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 it
+you are so embittered against my sex?"
+
+"Major Frank," she answered, "has but too often had occasion to study
+the character of men."
+
+"That is to say, that after over-confidence in the brilliant uniforms
+which have proved deceptive, Major Frank has decided to revenge
+herself on civilians as well as military men."
+
+"You are quite mistaken. Major Frank is acquainted with all the
+ranks from corporal to general; and in civil life she has had an
+opportunity of studying men wearing court dress, decorations, and
+orders. And this is the conclusion she has come to: that discipline
+is 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 you
+are a perfect stranger in these parts, Leopold. But you need not
+trouble 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 have
+been told you by slanderous tongues. Therefore I will not take offence
+at what you have said; but I request you not to think so meanly of me
+as to believe I would sacrifice my name and my person on the altar
+of Mammon, and make a mariage de raison--the most unreasonable and
+immoral 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 against
+these?" she cried, vehemently. "No, Leopold van Zonshoven, when
+you once know Francis Mordaunt, you will find she does not fear
+calumniators, and that she disdains to seek protection from them in
+the way you recommend!"
+
+"Forewarned is forearmed," and I now understood that it behoved me to
+proceed cautiously. Still I determined to try a ruse of war. Looking
+her steadfastly in the face, I said--
+
+"And suppose my visit to the Werve were expressly for the purpose of
+seeking your hand in marriage?"
+
+"My hand! It is not true you come with such a purpose!" she exclaimed
+in 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 simply
+leave you where you are, in the middle of the heath, to find your
+way 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 object
+in visiting the Castle, your answer would not stop me. I am obstinate
+enough myself; but, as I would not willingly wound the feelings of
+any lady (pardon me the use of this word), I should take good care
+not 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 your
+kind of pleasantry."
+
+In another instant a gust of wind carried away her felt hat, and then
+her net, causing her golden hair to fall over her shoulders in rich
+profusion. At this moment I thought her worthy to sit for a Madonna. I
+could not believe my eyes, or rather I could not remove my eyes from
+her, so much was I struck with wonder and admiration. She doubtless
+read her triumph in my looks, and seemed for an instant to enjoy
+it. 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 were
+nailed to the ground, instead of running after my hat."
+
+I did not suffer her to say this twice, but, running after the
+ugly old hat, caught it just before it could disappear in one of
+the sand pits. She followed me, but unfortunately caught the train
+of her riding-habit in a bush, which tripped her, and caused her to
+fall with her beautiful locks of hair amongst the briers. At first
+she refused all assistance, but in the end she was obliged to let me
+disentangle her hair--a circumstance which annoyed her much more than
+the accident itself. I knelt beside her, and heaven knows with what
+care I loosened one lock after the other. This, however, was a work
+of time, as she was very impatient, and her struggles were every now
+and then undoing the little I had accomplished.
+
+"Now you see into what a predicament your precious advice has brought
+me; how much more practical my own arrangement was! The handkerchief
+looked inelegant, if you like, but it would have prevented me this
+trouble. Why did I swerve from my principles? Why was I led astray
+by other people's ideas?"
+
+At last I could say, "You are free!" at the same time holding out
+my hand to assist her in rising. But no, she would have no further
+aid from me; and bounding up like a hart, requested me to walk on
+in front whilst she arranged her dress. She was not long about it,
+and when she overtook me the hateful handkerchief was tied round her
+hat 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 yourself
+by 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 afraid
+you would mock me and pay me back in my own coin."
+
+As we walked on we continued to discuss the subject of female
+propriety, she claiming the right to live according to her own ideas,
+without any regard for public opinion; I maintaining that reserve
+and gentleness are more becoming in a woman, from every point of
+view, than trying to set public opinion at defiance. She, however,
+interrupted the conversation by pointing out the Werve to me as soon
+as we came in sight of it.
+
+"Now," she said, "I request you to tell me plainly the object of your
+visit to the General, before I introduce you to the house."
+
+"I have already told you: I wish to make the acquaintance of my
+mother's relations."
+
+"I shall feel better satisfied," she rejoined, "if you will promise
+me not to trouble the poor old gentleman about business matters."
+
+I had no difficulty in conscientiously giving such a promise. Then
+Francis continued--
+
+"I must also warn you the General is not alone. We have a certain
+Captain Rolf, an old pensioned officer, quartered at the Werve; he
+is 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 his
+company. Our way of treating each other may surprise you, perhaps
+annoy you. Even when I was a child he called me his colonel, and flew
+anywhere at a wink from me; and he does so still, though his movements
+have been rendered more tardy by his stiff legs and rheumatism. Fishing
+is his favourite amusement since he has been obliged to give up
+shooting. I employ him as my gamekeeper; and when the cook is ill,
+he prefers frying a beefsteak and making the soup himself, to going
+on short commons. In fact, he is a gastronome, and since he obtained
+his pension his whole time seems to be occupied with the grand
+question: 'What shall we eat to day?' And, alas! grandfather is no
+less interested in the same subject, so that most of their morning
+conversation is about the dishes to be prepared for the dinner."
+
+As we drew near the manor-house Francis gently withdrew her arm from
+mine, and stepped on sharply as we heard the clock in the village
+church-steeple strike one, saying--
+
+"I know I am being waited for impatiently, and half the garrison will
+have 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 the
+feudal drawbridge, immovable through long disuse, leading straight
+to the large gate, full of those iron rivets used in olden times as
+a defence against the attacks of the hatchet and pike. But the wood
+itself was rotting, and the rusty hinges could scarcely sustain their
+accustomed weight. In the tumbledown walls I could see loopholes
+large 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 then
+in vogue had been adopted. There was a sort of rotunda in the centre,
+kept, relatively speaking, in better repair than the rest of the
+building, flanked by two wings, which seemed uninhabited, and in fact
+so neglected as to be uninhabitable. Most of the panes were cracked
+or broken, and only in some cases had the broken glass been replaced
+by gray paper. The aloe-trees, set out to ornament the front of the
+house, 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 the
+Captain, whom I immediately recognized from the description I had
+had of him. He wore a blue jacket and trousers, a waistcoat buttoned
+close up to his chin, and the military black-leather collar, which
+he 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 placed
+his cap jauntily and soldier-like on one side of his head, and his
+entire bearing called up the idea of a military man only half at
+his ease in civilian dress. Though deep in the fifties, his hair is
+still jet black, and the length and stiffness of his mustachios, a
+la Napoleon, indicate a constant use of cosmetics. His face is very
+red, his eyes brown and bold, his features rude, and his thick red
+lips and short round chin give him a sensual appearance. He had in
+his 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 some
+one to be quartered on us?"
+
+"A visitor for the General, Captain," replied Francis, stepping past
+him, 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 of
+humour--and all this because the Freule takes it into her head to ride
+out at inconvenient hours, and return on foot to the fortress leading
+the hero of this pretty adventure in triumph behind her," growled
+the 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, Jonker
+Leopold van Zonshoven; let that suffice you, and if you have any more
+complaints, put them in your report-book."
+
+After this I followed Francis through the vestibule, where a servant
+received us with a military salute, and showed us into an immense
+drawing-room hung with embossed gilt leather. Here the General was
+taking a nap in a high-backed easy-chair. Francis entered the room
+softly enough, but the loud heavy step of the Captain, who thought
+fit to follow us, awoke the sleeper with a start.
+
+Instead of the pourfendeur I had conjured up in my fancy from old
+Aunt Roselaer's accounts, I perceived a little, thin, grey-headed old
+man, the traits of whose face showed him to be a person of superior
+breeding, wrapped in a very threadbare damask dressing-gown. His
+nose was long and straight, his lips thin and pale, his eyes of a
+soft 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 time
+he was speaking.
+
+Francis introduced me in her own peculiar way--
+
+"Grandfather, I bring you Jonker Leopold van Zonshoven, to whom you
+must give a hearty welcome, for he is a curiosity in our family."
+
+"In our family! Jonker van Zonshoven--ah! yes, I remember, I
+understand," he said, in a surprised and embarrassed tone, which
+proved 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 the
+Captain stood as if he intended to dispute the place with me.
+
+Francis rang the bell, and asked Fritz if the luncheon were still on
+the 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 at
+roll-call is not expected. Bring a plate of cold meat and bread into
+this 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 straight
+before me, saying--
+
+"Pardon me, Jonker, I must have a good look at you. There must be
+something peculiar in a young man who has so quickly found favour in
+the eyes of our Major."
+
+I hesitated about giving him the answer he deserved in the presence
+of the General; and, besides, Francis had warned me he was a man of
+no education.
+
+However, the General, speaking in a soft yet authoritative voice,
+said--
+
+"Rolf, there are jests which may pass amongst ourselves, but you
+seem to forget we are not now alone, and you are wanting in respect
+to Miss Mordaunt."
+
+"Because I call her Major in the presence of a relation of the
+family! Excuse me, your Excellency, but you ought to have given me
+the watchword beforehand. I shall not forget again."
+
+"It is no good, grandfather," said Francis; "at his age we cannot break
+him of his bad habits, though we might expect him to be respectful
+to the granddaughter of General von Zwenken, in spite of his having
+taught her her drill when a child. And now, as you have asked for
+the watchword of the day, Captain, attend: it is this, 'Politeness
+to my visitor.'"
+
+It became clear to me that the Captain had long been indulged in
+his vulgar familiarities, and that I ought not to attach too much
+importance to them. As soon as Fritz brought in the port-wine he filled
+three glasses brimful; presented the first glass to me, then one to the
+General, 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 himself
+up 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 little
+deaf."
+
+I complied with his request.
+
+"Pardon me for asking you a question which may seem somewhat out of
+place. Is this the first time you have met my granddaughter?"
+
+"The first time, General;" and I rapidly sketched an account of our
+meeting and walk to the Castle.
+
+"Well, I am glad of it," said the old man with a sigh of relief. "My
+granddaughter is possessed of many excellent qualities, that I can
+truly say; but she has her peculiarities. At times she can be very
+brusque, and she has a foible for braving the laws of good society,
+and setting all the world at defiance, which has made her many
+enemies. It occurred to me she was now trying to make amends for some
+misunderstanding which had arisen between herself and you."
+
+I assured him this was not the case, and that I felt my kindly
+reception to be the more flattering since Miss Mordaunt was not
+accustomed 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 related
+to 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 under
+Napoleon I.; and in those days one did not pay so much attention to
+nationality. Our disagreement with Freule Sophia prevented our making
+his acquaintance. He settled in Belgium, and I heard afterwards that
+Baron d'Hermaele stood in high favour at court in the reign of King
+William I."
+
+"This court favour cost him his life," I added, "for he remained
+faithful to his king during the Belgian Revolution; his castle near
+Larken was pillaged and burnt by the populace, and he himself cruelly
+murdered whilst defending his wife and children."
+
+"Another fact out of those sad and confused times which I so well
+remember. My men were burning with rage to punish such rebels and
+brigands, but, alas! they were kept inactive. What became of the
+widow and children?"
+
+"She returned to Holland with one son and seven daughters, of whom the
+eldest 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 this
+reason----"
+
+"You don't come to talk to me about family affairs, I hope?" he
+interrupted, growing uncomfortable.
+
+"But, my dear uncle, we can speak of family affairs without their
+necessarily causing unpleasantness."
+
+"Hum! Well, you are a Van Zonshoven, a stranger to all the pitiful
+feuds which have separated me from the Roselaers. Whole treasures
+have been thrown away on the lawsuits they have brought against
+me. Francis and I are both still suffering from such losses. Look
+here, if you bring any painful news for Francis, or any humiliating
+tidings for me--I know that even the validity of my Swiss marriage is
+contested--I beseech you, be generous, spare her as long as possible,
+for she is ignorant of this fact. Perhaps, old and broken though I
+be by trials, I can ward off the evil day a little longer; but be
+sincere and tell me plainly----"
+
+"I assure you, General, my chief desire--as I have already told Miss
+Mordaunt--is to save you every kind of trouble I can. I wish simply
+to draw family ties closer, and my most ardent desire is that a Van
+Zonshoven may have the good fortune to heal the wounds caused by
+the Roselaers."
+
+"Many things are necessary! Much money! As we soldiers say, gold
+is the sinews of war--and, pardon me if I make a mistake, the Van
+Zonshovens are not rich."
+
+"You are not mistaken, General. My grandmother and her children
+had 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 and
+rewarded, but he died in the flower of his age. It was impossible
+for the young ladies to keep William II. in constant recollection
+of their father's loyalty. Besides, we decided not to petition or
+supplicate for favours, preferring to rely on our own energies and
+self-help. This principle was instilled into me whilst I was young."
+
+"You surprise me. But is there not a Van Zonshoven Minister for
+Foreign Affairs in the present Government?" asked the General. "He
+must 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 the
+coffee-coloured daughter of a rich Java merchant--for her money,
+of course. She is neither intelligent, amiable, nor educated; and
+indeed, has got little from him in return for her money except the
+right to bear his name and title."
+
+"A pitiful mesalliance, certainly! But for you the consequences are
+a rich and childless uncle?" he observed by way of a query.
+
+"Yes, and he is already old. But, unfortunately, I am estranged from
+him, 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. Though
+poor, I have always prized my independence above all things. I
+have 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 the
+room; and it came from the deep, clear voice of Francis, who had been
+entering the room as I spoke these words.
+
+"You see, Jonker," said the General, somewhat fretfully, and knitting
+his brows, "your style of speaking has touched my granddaughter's
+weak side. Her dreams are of independence, and her illusion is to be
+indebted to nobody."
+
+"Not my illusion, grandfather. My principle is rather to be poor and
+independent, and appear so; and rather to suffer privations and make
+sacrifices, than be guilty of meanness for the sake of supplying
+imaginary wants and desires which we ought manfully to resist."
+
+The General bit his lips, shut his eyes, and sank back in his chair, as
+if he had received a blow from a club; but unwilling to acknowledge a
+defeat, after a few seconds he raised himself up and said to Francis--
+
+"I allow that you far surpass me in bearing privations; but it would
+be well for you to learn a little self-restraint. At my time of life
+it 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 I
+mean them; but you cannot expect me to approve what angers me--such
+self-restraint I shall never learn."
+
+"That's unfortunate," replied the General in a bitter tone; "for
+what will Leopold think of us if he must listen to such reproaches
+at every turn."
+
+"He will think, uncle, that he is on a visit to a family which is
+above dissembling to deceive him, and he will esteem such frankness
+as 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 again
+entered the room. "Our Major has the praiseworthy custom of speaking
+her 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 in
+jest, half in earnest, "you would have been dismissed the service
+long ere this."
+
+"That only proves my long-suffering and patience, Miss Major; you know
+I permit you to treat me like a corporal would a raw recruit. I would
+not 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 to
+be en famille."
+
+"And I, General, not guessing the conversation could be so entertaining
+for you, came to propose our usual remedy against low spirits: a game
+at piquet."
+
+"Thank you, Captain, no cards this afternoon; I am anxious to talk
+to my nephew."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+Francis ordered Rolf off in search of her riding-whip which she had
+lost on the heath in the morning, making sure this would keep him
+out 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 will
+do me a great pleasure," Francis called after him.
+
+"Well, since I need not be on duty with the General, I will do my
+best," he answered.
+
+"You are a cruel despot," I could not help saying to Francis. She
+smiled and coloured slightly.
+
+"Oh, Jonker, this is nothing!" sighed the submissive vassal; "when Miss
+Major was a child, you should have seen what I had to do and suffer."
+
+"Just so," replied Francis; "then you spoilt me, and hence your
+penance is so hard. Give me your hand, my good Rolf; I won't promise
+you absolution, but a truce for to-day."
+
+The old soldier took the hand held out to him, and I saw a tear
+sparkle in his eye, which reconciled me to him in spite of his vulgar
+familiarities. He, ashamed of his weakness, tried to hide it from us
+by a prompt retreat.
+
+Almost immediately afterwards he entered the room again, and
+approaching Francis he said--
+
+"I know I disturb you, Freule, but it is better that I come instead
+of 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 ready
+for 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 the
+General. "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 are
+unprepared to lodge visitors."
+
+"What!" exclaimed Rolf, with a loud laugh, "we could lodge half
+a company."
+
+"Half your company!" Francis cried bitterly; "but you forget that
+Jonker van Zonshoven is accustomed to the luxuries of the Hague."
+
+"To a modest chamber on the second floor, Francis; and he can sleep
+comfortably 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 and
+sorrowful look at me, "I will try to find you a room where there are
+no broken panes. Come, Captain, never mind about the whip to-day;
+you must now act as my quartermaster. Forward, march;" and taking
+him 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 we
+don't reckon on visitors, you have taken us by surprise, and that's
+what vexes Francis. It is so difficult to procure anything in this
+out-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. Francis
+cannot understand our social laws; unfortunately she has not had an
+education suitable to her rank and station. Her own mother she never
+knew; and my son-in-law, Sir John Mordaunt, did not understand the
+kind of training necessary for a Dutch lady of position."
+
+"Don't despair, General; who knows what effect a good husband will
+have on her!"
+
+"That's just my difficulty, Jonker; Francis would refuse to marry
+any man she suspected of such intentions."
+
+"You are right, grandfather," exclaimed Francis, who had again
+entered the room. "Major Frank will never give up her command to
+an 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, that
+I thought Major Frank would do wrong to refuse a good husband.
+
+Francis reddened to the roots of her hair, and then grew pale, as
+she answered with a forced smile--
+
+"Well, you are not a dangerous suitor. As the General will have told
+you, Miss Mordaunt can only accept a very rich husband; and I think
+you have already acknowledged that the Van Zonshovens are not among
+the 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 judged
+nowadays, and you would wish Major Frank to be sold to the highest
+bidder, if sold she must be. But come, Leopold, let me show you the
+grounds before dinner. Grandfather can go with us, for the wind has
+gone down and the sun come out, so that it is quite a mild spring
+afternoon."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+We directed our steps towards the back of the Castle, passing by the
+aviary, which had fallen into decay like its surroundings. The Captain
+had, however, turned it into a poultry-walk, and held undisputed
+sway 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 we
+came to a summer-house, whence we could obtain a splendid view of
+the surrounding country--a sweep of undulating heath as far as the
+eye could reach. Francis said this was her favourite place in the
+grounds, and that she never grew tired of the charming prospect;
+but I could see that her grandfather's thoughts were occupied about
+something quite different from the picturesque view. All the farms in
+the neighbourhood, and all the woods around, formerly appertained to
+the lordship of the Werve; and all these ought to have descended intact
+to 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 silence
+briskly.
+
+Francis burst out laughing.
+
+"Grandfather beginning to take an interest in the fate of six young
+ladies 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't
+it so, grandfather?"
+
+I hastened to answer--
+
+"Three of them died long ago; two others made good marriages, but
+they have children of their own; and one, Aunt Sophia, is maintained
+by the rest of the family, I contributing in proportion to my means."
+
+"Aunt Sophia," repeated the General; "had the d'Hermaeles the foresight
+to make Sophia Roselaer godmother to one of their children?"
+
+"It is possible," I answered, "but I don't know for certain; my mother
+seldom talked to me about her relations."
+
+"At any rate it appears to me she has been made heir to the property
+of that mischief-loving woman, Miss Roselaer," continued the General;
+"and probably you, Leopold, were not informed of the death, nor invited
+to the funeral any more than ourselves? As far as I am concerned I
+expected such treatment; yet I cannot understand that she should allow
+her hatred to deprive the only granddaughter of her eldest sister of
+the property."
+
+I now felt myself on dangerous ground; but Francis came to my rescue
+by 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 a
+rule people are not prepossessed in my favour at a first interview"
+(hereupon she gave me a malicious look), "she seems to have had no
+reason to complain of me;--in fact, if I had only cultivated the
+acquaintance, probably at this moment my name would be in her will
+for 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 certain
+business about which it is not necessary to trouble cousin Leopold."
+
+"She never likes to hear her good deeds spoken of," the General
+murmured to me.
+
+"Oh, it was only a simple duty I had to fulfil; I had to consult
+the celebrated Dr. D. about an unfortunate woman who had lost her
+reason. At his door I had an altercation with his man-servant, who
+wished to put me off till next day under the pretext that the hour for
+consultation was passed, and that his master was taking his luncheon
+with visitors. However, I insisted upon his taking in my card, and
+finally I obtained admission to the dining-room. Dr. D. politely
+invited me to take luncheon with them, and introduced me to two
+elderly ladies, one his sister, and the other his sister's friend. As
+I was very hungry, I accepted without ceremony. I was soon sensible
+that 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 unsparing
+severity. This was just to my taste, and excited me to the contest,
+till, from repartee to repartee, we got almost to a dispute. It was
+my great-aunt Sophia in person, as I afterwards learnt; and just fancy
+her 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! I
+simply answered: 'I had heard her spoken of; that there had been
+quarrels between her and my relations, but that I did not think it
+fair, on my part, to attack her behind her back in the presence of
+strangers.' She answered that she approved of my conduct. The doctor,
+who had for some time been appearing ill at ease, now invited me to
+go to his surgery. After the consultation I met the old lady in the
+passage; she invited me to accompany her as far as the house of a
+friend, where her carriage would await her. I consented, but now I
+was on my guard, as I knew who she was; and when she invited me to
+spend 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 dealings
+with her, grandfather. I said I could not spend a single hour longer
+in Utrecht than business demanded. Before she could say more, a band
+of students, of that class better known outside the lecture-room than
+inside, began to form a circle round us, and treat us to a piece of
+by no means flattering criticism as to the style of our dress. It is
+true I was negligently dressed, far behind the fashions; and aunt's
+bonnet and shawl gave her much of the appearance of a caricature. I
+felt my blood boil, and yet I retained sufficient calmness to tell
+these seedling lawyers, authors, and clergymen they ought to be
+ashamed of themselves, as their conduct was worse even than that of
+street Arabs. My words took effect; one or two dropped off in silence,
+others stepped aside, and one of them even attempted to stammer out an
+apology. We were near the house of lawyer Van Beek, where Miss Roselaer
+was going; and as we took leave of each other she warmly pressed my
+hand, thanking me for my protection and presence of mind, but added
+that 'such conduct was scarcely ladylike in the public streets.'
+
+"It might have been more becoming to swoon, but such farces are not
+in keeping with the character of Major Frank.
+
+"If I had known the story would amuse you so much, grandfather, I
+would have told it you three months ago; but I was afraid it would
+be disagreeable to you to hear I had seen Aunt Sophia."
+
+"And you have never since heard a word of Miss Roselaer?" demanded
+Von Zwenken, fretfully.
+
+"No; but I have reason to suppose she wished to oblige me. I had
+to make arrangements at Utrecht for the proper nursing of my poor
+patient. The most important point was the money, and at the time
+I had very little; but the same evening I received a letter from
+Dr. D., informing me a rich friend, who desired to remain unknown,
+had promised to pay all the expenses. So here you have my reasons for
+surprise that Aunt Sophia should have included me in hatred of the
+family; 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 the
+love of Francis, and to marry her; and I confess my inclinations were
+tending in that direction. Her straightforward, upright character,
+her original and piquant style of beauty, were already beginning to
+act like a charm upon me; still it would be well not to precipitate
+matters, and I controlled a desire which came over me to demand her
+hand on the spot. There were also mysterious events in her past life
+which required clearing up. Besides, I had to consider how it would
+be possible to change her aversion from marriage, the male sex, and
+social life in general. And I was convinced if she once pronounced
+the fatal word "No," my suit was hopeless.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+Fritz, who came up at a trot, after the usual military salute to
+Francis, interrupted our further conversation. He addressed her in
+the following words--
+
+"Freule, the Captain sends to inquire if you have thought of the sauce
+for 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 adjutant
+reminds 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." Then
+calling to Fritz, he said, "Show the Jonker to his room, if it
+is ready."
+
+"Certainly, General; I have taken up his bag."
+
+"So you have brought a travelling-bag?" asked the General, with a
+smile, and giving me an inquiring look.
+
+"What shall I say, uncle; did I take too great a liberty in reckoning
+on an invitation for a few days?"
+
+"Certainly not, my boy!" he replied frankly; "a change is very welcome
+to me--only try to make it all right with Francis."
+
+Fritz led the way up a broad oaken staircase to the first floor of the
+left wing, the very one which had struck me as the least habitable. I
+was shown into a large room that had once been well furnished, but
+which now appeared rather sombre, as all the shutters were closed
+except 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, otherwise
+there 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 therefore
+the broken window-panes have been neglected, and there is no glazier
+in the village."
+
+I dismissed the good fellow, whose fidelity to his mistress was
+evinced by his reticence.
+
+When I had opened one shutter entirely so as to obtain sufficient
+light, I found the room contained a large old-fashioned bedstead,
+with red silk hangings; a splendid couch, the covering of which was
+torn in several places and the horse-hair peeping out--then, even
+worse, I found it had lost a leg; moreover, there was not a chair in
+the 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 on
+its three gilt bear-paws; but it was cracked in several places,
+and the mosaic star in the centre had almost disappeared piece by
+piece. A simple modern washstand, of grey painted wood with light
+green 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 of
+Guelderland, and forming plans for the renovation and embellishment of
+the fallen greatness around--always provided Francis consented--when
+I heard the second dinner-bell, and hastened downstairs, having
+been warned that the General still kept up his military habits of
+punctuality.
+
+I was very curious to see whether Francis had dressed for dinner, how
+she looked, &c. But, alas! my hopes were disappointed. Her beautiful
+hair was loosely confined in a silk net, which seemed scarcely capable
+of sustaining its weight. She had not changed her dress, and had only
+thrown over her shoulders a small faded shawl, which served to hide the
+white and slender form of her neck. She perceived my disappointment; in
+fact, her beautiful eyes regarded me with an air that seemed to say--
+
+"Make up your mind that I am totally indifferent as to the impression
+I may produce on you."
+
+Otherwise she performed her part as hostess with exemplary zeal and
+great ability. She served the soup, carved the meat, and even changed
+the plates herself--as Fritz seemed to consider his duty done when
+he had placed the things on the sideboard. To my great surprise,
+the dinner was abundant and even recherche.
+
+After the soup, which was excellent, roast beef with choice preserved
+vegetables was served up--"surrogate of the primeurs," as the General
+expressed himself; then partridges in aspic and a poulet au riz,
+followed by young cabbages with baked eels, which, the Captain said
+playfully, had only gone into his net for my sake. As plat doux,
+we had a pudding with the wonderful sauce Francis had been called
+into the kitchen to make; and to wind up, a complete dessert. It was
+difficult for me to reconcile all this with the idea of people living
+in straitened circumstances.
+
+The different kinds of wine, furnished in over-great abundance and
+variety by the Captain, who acted as butler, completed the luxuries
+of the table. The wines were of the best brands, and my host and
+his aide-de-camp took care to call my attention to them. My habits
+of abstinence obliged me to exercise great moderation, and I could
+plainly see that they were disappointed at my want of enthusiasm.
+
+Neither the crockery nor the table-linen was in keeping with the
+luxury of the courses. The former was French china, dating from the
+same period as the furniture and the golden leather tapestries, and
+had evidently suffered a good deal from rough usage and servants. It
+was cracked, riveted, incomplete; and modern blue ware had been
+purchased to supply deficiencies, thus enhancing its splendour and
+emphasizing the contrast. The large damask tablecloth, that represented
+the marriage of a Spanish Infanta, had certainly done duty when Aunt
+Sophia ruled as mistress of the establishment. It was exceedingly
+fine but worn, and the rents had not always been neatly darned. As for
+the silver, the speed with which Francis sent the forks and spoons to
+the kitchen and ordered them back, proved to me that the dozens were
+not 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 the
+campaign I have drunk beer out of a milk-pail, and champagne out of
+teacups; 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 a
+common glass; and as our Major (I mean Freule, the commander-in-chief)
+always manifests the greatest indifference in this respect, I have
+charged 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 to
+retaliate in her vehement way.
+
+"Fie, Captain!" she interrupted. "Are you afraid Jonker van Zonshoven
+will not observe how great your merits as quartermaster are? If every
+one in this house would follow my regime, 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 General
+now came to the Captain's aid with a French expression: "Le luxe,
+c'est le necessaire."
+
+He had drunk a good deal, and his pale cheeks were growing
+rosy. Francis rang for Fritz to hand round cigars to the gentlemen, and
+then retired to the drawing-room in spite of the furious looks of her
+grandfather. As the door was open, I could follow her movements in the
+large mirror which faced me. I saw her throw herself on the sofa, wring
+her hands, and bite her lips as if to suppress her sobs. The General
+soon dozed off, and the Captain applied himself to the cognac bottle,
+as he said it was necessary to warm up his stomach after eating cold
+fruit; so I walked over towards the drawing-room, trying to hide my
+cigar. Francis was disconcerted at being surprised in her disconsolate
+mood; 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 had
+almost said ladies).
+
+"Nonsense! I am not so fastidious; and you know that quite well. Shall
+I make you some coffee? The gentlemen yonder do not take any; they
+smoke and drink till----"
+
+I interrupted her with--
+
+"I want nothing but to talk confidentially with you for a quarter of
+an hour. Will you grant me that favour?"
+
+"Certainly; take the easy-chair and sit down opposite; that is the
+best position for a talk."
+
+I obeyed, and she began--
+
+"Tell me, first of all, do you now understand why I do not like
+receiving company?"
+
+"Perhaps. I venture to suppose that you wish to simplify the way of
+living, and that the gentlemen do not approve of it. And visitors
+cause expense."
+
+"Now, indeed, it is clever of you to guess after what you have
+just seen!" and she laughed a merry laugh. "I see I must explain
+matters. But let us talk about yourself, Leopold; that will change the
+current of my thoughts--and they want changing in my present state of
+mind. You see there my constant and daily society," she continued,
+looking towards the dining-room. "They have now reached the topmost
+point of their enjoyment--the General asleep with a cigar in his mouth,
+and the Captain absorbing his quantum of cognac. Afterwards he will
+fill his German pipe, totter off to the billiard-room, and smoke and
+sleep till tea-time. Come, now, as we have a full hour before us,
+confess yourself. Why have you not studied for a barrister?" And
+she fixed her large eyes on me as if she suspected that I had been
+rusticated.
+
+"Simply because my good father died too soon."
+
+"A good father always dies too soon. Even a bad one who neglects his
+child is a great loss. Yours left nothing?"
+
+"Except a widow with a very small pension--too small to maintain
+me at Leyden, and therefore I left after one year's residence, as
+I 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 make
+sacrifices for his mother or his wife's sake, is a rarity. It does
+me good to hear such men still exist."
+
+"Now, Francis, give me your confidence. Perhaps I can assist you in
+your troubles."
+
+"Don't attempt the impossible, Leopold," she replied in a tone of
+profound 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 have
+often been in others, one deception more or less cannot make much
+difference in the grand total. When my grandfather had obtained his
+pension we came to the Werve, as it was urgently necessary for us
+to economize. His rank as commandant in a small fortified town had
+necessitated our living in grand style. He had to invite the mayor and
+other dignitaries to his table, as well as his own lieutenants; and let
+me acknowledge we had both got into the habit of living in abundance
+and of being very hospitable; consequently we had nearly always an
+open table. Owing to many events and painful family circumstances,
+our fortune with the last few years has shrunk so visibly that it was
+impossible to continue our old style of living. And grandpapa at last
+saw 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 all
+our wants; and I cherished a secret hope of saving money, so as one
+day to make some repairs and raise this castle from its state of decay.
+
+"At first everything went on tolerably well. We came in the
+summer-time. We both needed rest; the splendid and varied scenery
+enticed us out on long rides and drives; in fact, everything combined
+to make us enjoy our solitude. But, alas! the autumn came with its
+long evenings and chilly days; the General suffered from rheumatism
+and could not mount his horse. Then weariness overmastered him like
+a plague, and I tried music and reading in vain. He is not fond of
+music, and he does not care for reading. He cannot bear to see me
+with a book in my hand, unless it be an illustrated book to ornament
+the drawing-room table. When I had read the paper there was nothing
+more to say. I played dominoes with him and piquet-a-deux. I could
+hardly do it any longer; but he never had enough of it. He grew
+fidgetty and melancholy, began to languish, and was less and less
+satisfied with our simple way of living. I could not bear to see
+him so cast down, without the means of helping him. Just about this
+time one of his former comrades, who had also obtained his pension,
+invited grandfather to visit him in Arnheim. I thought it would be a
+nice change, and encouraged him to go. He was quite happy and quite
+at his ease there, and stayed the three winter months."
+
+"And you?"
+
+"I stayed at home. They had forgotten to invite me; and when they
+thought of it, it seemed to me such a formal invitation that I made
+up my mind to decline it, as I had before reflected it would save a
+great deal of expense in ball dresses and other ways of squandering
+money which such visits necessarily bring with them."
+
+"Yet, even here, a little attention to dress would not be out of
+place," I interposed, seizing the opportunity to tell her my opinion
+on the subject.
+
+"Oh, it does not matter for me. I can speak as a certain French woman
+du temps que j'etais femme. That time's past; what does it matter
+how Major Frank dresses?"
+
+"Major Frank," I replied, "should wear a uniform suitable to her rank
+and 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 with
+her 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 poor
+officer, 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. But
+don't trouble me with any more of your silly remarks about dress;
+let me continue.
+
+"My grandfather returned from Arnheim, cured of his melancholy and
+more deeply in debt than ever. His stay, even with a friend, had cost
+him 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 were
+fees to servants; and, worst of all, that abominable high play which
+is the curse of our nation. In short, on his return he was obliged to
+sell the home-farm, and even this did not bring in sufficient money
+to satisfy his creditors. This time my grandfather solemnly vowed he
+would never enter society again, and he has kept his word; but he soon
+fell into a black melancholy, from which he is only just recovering.
+
+"Rolf, a brave soldier, but one who, in spite of his merits, would
+never have obtained the rank of officer without grandpapa's protection,
+called upon us. He was a sort of servant in the house before I
+was born, making himself generally useful as only soldiers can. His
+sister was my nurse, my mother having died soon after I came into the
+world. Unfortunately, she had neither education nor character to fit
+her for the task. With the best intentions, she thoroughly spoilt me,
+a work in which she was assisted by her brother, Sergeant Rolf, who
+would sooner have thought of disobeying his colonel than of opposing
+any 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 his
+company seemed to be a welcome change to grandfather; and perceiving
+that a third person would be an agreeable addition to our society,
+I proposed to him to take up his quarters here, as he could live
+on his pension in one place as well as another. My proposition was
+eagerly accepted, and I took the command, as he expresses it, whilst
+he did his best to cheer up the General, and the winter has passed
+less monotonously than I anticipated.
+
+"Meantime Rolf has inherited some property in North Brabant, and now
+he insists upon paying his quota towards the housekeeping expenses,
+to which I have consented for the General's sake, because he is so
+fond of delicacies. But you don't know how I suffer when I see them
+rivalling each other in the pleasures of the table, and think of the
+humiliation and abasement of my grandfather----"
+
+Fritz entered with the lamp, and asked if Freule had not rung for the
+tea. The General and the Captain followed. The conversation languished
+over the tea-table, and Francis became silent; when suddenly the
+Captain 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," muttered
+the 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 the
+tea-things. We took our seats, and the General, as I thought, fixed
+the counters tolerably high.
+
+The old man seemed to undergo a thorough change the moment he
+held the cards in his hand. His dull, sleepy eyes brightened with
+intelligence and sparkled with enthusiasm. Every limb moved; the tips
+of his fingers trembled, and yet they still held the cards firmly
+whilst he examined them to calculate, with mathematical precision,
+what was wanting in ours. His pale cheeks flushed a deep red, his
+nostrils expanded or contracted according to the chances of the game;
+and the melancholy man, who usually sat with his head bowed down as
+though overburdened, was of a sudden seized by a spirit of audacity,
+of rashness, of foolhardiness, that not seldom gained him splendid
+success, and reminded me of the saying, "Good luck is with the rash
+man." It certainly is with the audacious player.
+
+As for myself I made many blunders, which greatly amused my
+companions. I had already lost a considerable sum, when the door
+opened 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 the
+Captain cried--
+
+"Our Major in full dress."
+
+"What strange whim is this?" growled the General, with difficulty
+suppressing his anger, for he had an excellent hand of cards this
+time. "The whole day you have gone about like a Cinderella, and
+now----"
+
+"The fairy has come, and I appear as a princess," replied Francis.
+
+"And the famous glass slipper is not wanting," I said, admiring the
+beautiful 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 in
+the 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 disturb
+you."
+
+Her playing was like herself, fantastic and bizarre; gradually,
+however, it became sweet and melancholy, and moved me almost to
+tears. My thoughts were with the music, and I lost every game
+afterwards. The General was furious, and let me perceive it. I was
+about to pay my debt, when Francis entered precipitately, and said
+in a decided tone--so decided, indeed, as to displease me--that I
+should not pay. I answered in the same tone, and to cut short all
+arguments I placed the money on the table. She then tried to snatch
+out of Rolf's hand the note I had given him. I told her I thought
+her 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 seemed
+to gloat over his gains, remained silent during this little scene. It
+gave me a painful insight into his character. I pitied the old man,
+who played not for amusement but for the sake of money, and would
+take 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, I
+thought 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 the
+keys 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 in
+the chalet--
+
+
+                    Liberte cherie,
+                    Seul bien de la vie,
+                    Regne toujours la!
+                Tra la, la, la, tra la, la, la!
+                Tant pis pour qui s'en fachera!
+
+
+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 in
+real life it is just the contrary, and I like reality."
+
+Fritz came to announce supper. The gentlemen were cheerful, the
+Captain noisy and jovial; Francis only gave short and dry answers,
+and showed me her ill-humour by only giving me the tips of her fingers
+when she wished us all good-night.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+Unromantic though it may sound, I must confess to having slept
+well on the first night I spent under the roof of my mother's
+ancestors. Sleep surprised me whilst I was reflecting on the
+strange 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 by
+a detestable education, by the manners of a sutler and a rudeness
+of the worst kind. And then, in addition to all this, there was the
+question of her past life which I had heard painted in such black
+colours. It seemed doubtful whether Major Frank could ever become
+Lady Francis van Zonshoven.
+
+When I awoke the sun was streaming through the one window whose
+shutters I had purposely left open, with the intention of taking
+an early morning walk. I crept silently down the stairs so as not
+to awake anybody, but I met Fritz in the vestibule, and he made his
+military salute in silence. The hall door was wide open. I took the
+direction of the home-farm, where I hoped to obtain a glass of new
+milk, and draw the tenants out a little about the inhabitants of the
+Castle--one in particular.
+
+I had not gone very far before whom should I see coming from the farm
+but 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 taken
+another path if she had seen me a little sooner.
+
+"I never knew we had ceased to be so," she answered, colouring
+a little.
+
+"Hem! Towards the close of the evening, in spite of what you may say
+to the contrary."
+
+"Say, rather, in spite of myself. Believe me, Leo, I was not morose
+out of caprice; I was troubled and anxious. I saw my manner displeased
+you, but I was afraid that to flatter grandfather's weakness you were
+suffering 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 then
+to squander your money in such a way in our house--it seemed to me
+like card-sharping."
+
+"No, no; nothing of the sort. But supposing it had been, you have
+tact enough to understand that it was beneath my dignity to take the
+money back."
+
+"That's true, I am of your opinion; but I warned you beforehand that
+my 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 deserve
+correction, will you on your part acknowledge that you are making
+somewhat too much ado about a little mistake?"
+
+"But you, who are so proud, how can you suppose that a man will
+consent to be protected by a woman?"
+
+"Again you are right, Leopold; such a man would be like so many others
+I know."
+
+"Pardon me, Francis; our friendship is like a tender plant, and we
+must 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 on
+condition that our little quarrel of last night be forgotten and
+forgiven."
+
+I felt myself under the charm again, and seizing her hand in a
+transport 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 forget
+to whom you are speaking--I am Major Frank."
+
+"I will have no more of Major Frank; my cousin Francis Mordaunt must
+suffer me to offer her my arm." And taking her hand again, I gently
+drew her arm within mine. She submitted in silence, with a singular
+expression 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 people
+insisted 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 I
+have brought on myself; and yet, if the others could be remedied as
+easily!" she said, with a profound sigh.
+
+She became pale as death, her lips quivered, and, withdrawing her arm
+from mine, she stood still, covering her face with her hands as if she
+would force back the tears already rolling down her cheeks. I remained
+by her side, and after a pause I said, with gentle earnestness--
+
+"Tell me what has happened, Francis; it will be a relief to you and
+ease your mind."
+
+"Yes," she resumed, calmly, "I must confide my sufferings to some
+one, but not now. I will not spoil our morning walk by calling up
+such a frightful scene. I can myself scarcely understand how it is
+possible that I, who cannot bear to see dumb creatures suffer, have
+to reproach myself with the death of one of my fellow-men."
+
+"I beseech you to tell me all, trusting in me for my sincerest
+sympathy."
+
+"Not now," she cried; "what good would it do? It would only embitter
+the few minutes we have to spend together."
+
+"May I help you with a word it seems to cost you trouble to
+pronounce? Is it not a certain unfortunate incident with regard to
+your coachman?"
+
+"Just so, that's it," she replied, assuming her defiant and bitter
+tone. "If you wish to know more about it, ask the people at the
+farm--they know all the particulars."
+
+"I shall take good care not to go making inquiries into your secrets
+behind your back, Francis."
+
+"My secrets!" she exclaimed, her voice quivering with
+indignation. "There is no secret in the matter. It is a question
+of a dreadful accident, which happened on the public high-road
+in the presence of a crowd of spectators attracted by the noise;
+but the occasion was not lost to set public opinion against me. Was
+it not Major Frank, who never acted like anybody else--Major Frank
+the outlaw! It would have been a pity to let such an opportunity
+of blackening her character pass. I ought to have reflected that
+you would have heard the story; and very likely you are come here
+'to interview' the heroine of such a romantic adventure. It would
+be a pity you should lose your pains. There's the farm--go straight
+on and ask the people to tell you all about the affair between Major
+Frank and her coachman Harry Blount; both the man and his wife were
+witnesses. And, Jonker van Zonshoven, when they have satisfied you, you
+may 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 a
+state of terrible confusion.
+
+One thing at last seemed clear to me; I had lost her for ever. Should I
+follow and overtake her? She appeared resolute to tell me no more. Yet
+I must know more! I could neither stay at the Werve nor go away until
+my doubts were cleared up.
+
+I went on to the farm, and was soon served with a glass of milk. The
+farmer's wife seemed to know all about my visit, and thought it quite
+natural for the Freule to send me there for a glass of new milk. She
+was loud in her praises of the Freule, said her equal was not to
+be found in the whole aristocracy, "so familiar and kind-hearted,
+but at times flighty, and then she goes off like a locomotive"--she
+pronounced it "leukemetief." But it would be impossible for me to
+reproduce her Guelders dialect; and, to confess a truth, I had myself
+sometimes great difficulty in understanding her.
+
+She showed me the farm and the dog, a splendid brown pointer who
+allowed me to stroke him, probably for his mistress' sake. Once the
+good farmer's wife had loosened her tongue, she rattled away with
+great volubility--
+
+"Yes, she was sorry the General was no longer their landlord; but
+Overberg was not a bad fellow--he had made many repairs, and even
+promised to build a new barn which the General would never consent
+to. It was a pity for the man! A good gentleman, but he took no
+interest in farming; the whole place must have gone to wrack and
+ruin if the General had not agreed to sell it before it was too
+late. The Freule was sorry, for she liked farming; she had learned to
+milk, and talked to the cows just as if they were human beings. And
+horses--yes, Jonker, even the plough horses, before they go out into
+the field in the morning, she talks to them. My husband was groom to
+her grandfather, in his youth; I think I can see the greys she used to
+drive with so much pride, and Blount the coachman at her side, as proud
+as a king, with his arms folded, and looking as if the team belonged
+to him. Oh dear, yes! And now all that grandeur has disappeared. The
+beautiful carriage-horses are sold, and the Freule has only her English
+horse which my husband stables and grooms for her. What a sin and shame
+it is when the gentry fall into such decay! And the family used to be
+the greatest in these parts, and good to their tenants. My parents and
+grandparents always lived on the estate; but oh, oh! since the marriage
+of the eldest Freule Roselaer, they have never prospered. What can I
+say? 'A house divided against itself cannot stand,' as the Scriptures
+tell us. The Jonker has certainly heard of all these things?"
+
+"Enough, Mrs. Pauwelsen, more than enough," I responded, for the good
+woman's chatter was becoming insupportable. I hastily took my leave
+of her and arrived just in time for breakfast; in fact, I was in the
+breakfast-parlour before either the Captain or the General. Francis
+was alone, but when she saw me she left the room under the pretext
+of 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 your
+curiosity?"
+
+"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 did
+not want to hear anything."
+
+"Forsooth! You have shown more self-control than I thought a man
+capable 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 to
+me. 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 if
+she regretted her want of confidence in me--making all sorts of
+mistakes. The General's tea was sweetened twice over, and the Captain
+found he had no sugar in his, a defect which he remedied as furtively
+as possible, whispering to me--
+
+"Our Major's got out on the wrong side of the bed this morning. We
+must 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 ordered
+for?" 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 to
+look 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 of
+the eye; and he walked over to the window where Francis stood. Then
+with 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 simply
+sent off to Zutphen for his luggage."
+
+It was now my turn to speak, and I asked Francis if she would keep
+me 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 only
+assisted in bringing in my box, but also a number of packages, bottles,
+tins, &c., which he spread over the table, and clapping the General
+on the shoulder, as he said--
+
+"Now, what says your Excellency; have I not made a splendid foraging
+party?"
+
+"No more of your 'Excellency' and insolent nonsense," burst out
+Francis, her eyes striking fire and her cheeks burning with rage. "You
+clearly forget, you d----d rascal, that you are an inferior; otherwise
+you would not dare to act like this. Bless my soul, what a foolish
+throwing away of money is this--perdrix rouges, pate-de-foie-gras,
+all kinds of fish in jelly, all kinds of preserved fruit. Why, it
+looks as if you were going to start a business here. Why have you
+brought all these useless dainties again?" And she struck the table
+with her clenched fist till the pots and bottles danced again. "The
+General ought to turn you out of doors; and he would if his tongue
+and 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 a
+shame, and if you had the least fortitude left you would put a stop
+to such extravagance."
+
+"Major, Major!" interposed Rolf, deprecatingly.
+
+"Silence, you miserable epicure--I am no longer your major; I have
+had enough of your quasi-pleasantry. If I had my will all this should
+be 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 voice
+still higher. "But I will not suffer you to take such liberties any
+longer; and if grandfather does not call you to order, I will myself
+put 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 unseemly
+conduct."
+
+"All the better. The Jonker chooses to become our guest, and he
+shall see and know into what a mean and miserable a household he has
+entered. I will put no blind before his eyes."
+
+"There is, however, a difference between trying to blind people, and
+tearing 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. I
+must speak plainly. I would rather live on bread and water than be
+beholden to another for these luxuries."
+
+With this she left the room, giving me a defiant look, which I
+returned by a shake of the head, to signify how much I disapproved
+of her conduct and the intemperance of her language.
+
+Whilst we stood staring at each other, we three gentlemen, in a state
+of stupefaction, she just put her head in at the door and said--
+
+"Captain, you will attend to the housekeeping duties to-day; I am
+going for a ride."
+
+"At your service, Commandant," answered Rolf, bringing his hand to
+his cap in military fashion.
+
+I could not help expressing my amazement at the coolness with which
+he treated the whole affair.
+
+"What could I say, Jonker; such outbursts are not new to me. I saw
+this morning that the weather-glass stood at storm. The quicker and
+more violent the storm, the sooner it is over; and you know an old
+soldier is proof against weather."
+
+"I am glad I warned you beforehand, nephew, of my granddaughter's
+temper," said the General, with a deep sigh, without raising his
+head to look at me. "Once she's got an idea into her head, there is
+no opposing her; she'll drive through anything, like a man on his
+hobby-horse; she never reasons."
+
+I thought to myself, she reasons only too logically for you; and he
+evidently felt it, for throughout the whole scene he had sat with
+his head down, nervously playing with his ring.
+
+"Come, General, don't be cast down," said Rolf, cheerily: "we'll
+maintain our alliance against the common foe, and the wind will
+change again."
+
+As he spoke he unfolded a long, small parcel; it contained a
+riding-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. It
+was a mistake to promote her to the command before we had taught her
+the discipline."
+
+"A great mistake," sighed the General.
+
+Rolf now set to work to attend to his housekeeping duties, and I
+excused myself under the pretext of having letters to write; for I
+had a great wish to be alone and reflect on all I had seen and heard
+this morning.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+
+Once in my room, I threw off my coat, loosened my collar, and made
+myself 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 dressed
+in her riding-habit, and brought me an inkstand, which she placed on
+the table, then took a chair quite at her ease, though she could see
+I 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 scarcely
+believed her sole object was to supply me with an inkstand; and I
+pointed out to her I had got my own writing-case with me. My freezing
+manner 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 a
+riding-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 her
+sex. 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 causes
+your ill-humour. I have come into your room. Well, pass it over--you
+know I am so little of 'a lady.'"
+
+"That's only too true, Major."
+
+"Major!" she repeated angrily, opening her large eyes in
+astonishment. "I thought you disliked my nickname."
+
+"Not since I have seen the soldier in action. But I should like
+to know to which class of majors you belong, tambour-major or
+sergeant-major? For I believe the command of a regiment is usually
+given to a man of refinement--to a person, in fact, who can make
+himself respected by his gentleman-like behaviour and dignity; but
+after the scene I witnessed this morning----"
+
+"Leopold!" she cried, deadly pale, her lips quivering, "this is a
+personal insult. Do you mean it as such?"
+
+I was surprised at the change, for I had expected her to wreak her
+anger 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 you
+to assume."
+
+Still no answer. And I began to be embarrassed in my turn, which
+embarrassment was only increased by her breaking out in a plaintive
+tone--
+
+"Leopold, you strike deeper than you suppose."
+
+"Francis," I cried, changing my tone, "believe me, it is not my
+intention to wound you; I wish to cure you."
+
+I was going to take her hand, when she sprang up as if she had received
+an 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 your
+precious 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 in
+spite of yourself. When you made such a terrible scene in my presence
+this morning, I understood you. It meant this: He is staying here
+to study the character of Major Frank; well now, he shall see it in
+all its rudeness and insufferableness, and we shall see how long he
+will stay in spite of me. Miss Mordaunt, I have seen through your
+intentions, and I am not to be frightened away by the rude mask you
+have 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--is
+to have broken with all social hypocrisies, me whose chief pride is
+to speak my mind plainly without regard of persons. I did not think
+it necessary to measure my words in your presence; it appeared to me
+you had made yourself one of the family, and I thought it best you
+should know the relationship in which we stand to each other."
+
+"Just so," I replied, smiling. "You acknowledge that in raising your
+voice several notes too high when you gave those two humiliated men
+a piece of your mind, your real object was to drive a third person
+out of the house. Be sincere, Francis, confess the truth."
+
+I tried in vain to look her in the face whilst I spoke. She had turned
+her head away, and was kicking the leg of the table.
+
+"I observe, and not for the first time, that you can be disagreeable
+when 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 own
+sake. But never believe, Leopold, whatever stories you hear about me,
+that I am deceitful, that I would play a part. I was myself when I
+made the scene--violent, angry, and burning with indignation. I have
+my whims and fancies, that I know; but I never feign--that would
+ill become me; for, I may say, I have too much good in me to act
+falsely. Yet there are so many contradictory feelings in me that I
+sometimes stand surprised at myself. And let me tell you, Leo, I came
+here to seek consolation from you, but your tone and your words have
+bitterly disappointed me, so much so that for a moment I have asked
+myself whether you were one of those snobs in patent-leather boots,
+who, while expressing horror at an ungloved hand, are yet not afraid
+of soiling its whiteness by boxing your wife's ears. Because I did not
+observe 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 sharply
+had I not succeeded in controlling myself.
+
+"Pardon me, Francis, I should consider myself the greatest of cowards
+to strike a woman; but it was no question of a woman just now. We were
+speaking of Major Frank--Major Frank who is angry when reminded of
+the 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 without
+mincing matters."
+
+Francis listened this time without interrupting me. She was staring
+at 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 I
+think we are quits. Are we again good friends?"
+
+"There's nothing I desire more ardently; but, once for all, with
+whom? 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 could
+no longer keep back. How gladly I would have kissed them away, and
+pressed her to my heart and told her all! But I could not compromise
+my commencing victory.
+
+"Should I have spoken to you in this way, Francis, if I had not been
+your sincere friend?"
+
+"I see it now, and I have need of a sincere friend. Well then, the
+Captain is ruining himself for our sakes; and grandfather, in a most
+cowardly 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 in
+this place for life with the Captain. When he has rendered himself
+poor for our sakes, I cannot send him away. Now do you understand I
+had 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 way
+to such fits of violence puts herself in the wrong, even though she
+have right on her side. Just think for a moment what a scene if the
+Captain 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 right
+in principle; but let me beseech you to change your manner of
+proceeding. The gentleness of a woman is always more persuasive than
+the transports of passion. You have told me your early education was
+neglected; but you have read Schiller?"
+
+"Die Raeuber," 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 at
+the Castle----"
+
+"As long as you will keep me, Francis."
+
+"Well, stay as long as you can--that is, if you can fall in with our
+ways. 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 couple
+of days."
+
+I handed over my purse, and told her to take out of it as much as
+she required. What a strange creature! What a comic conclusion to
+our battle!
+
+I also felt as if a little fresh air would do me good, and so I walked
+off to the village post-office with my letter to Overberg.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+
+Downstairs I met the General ready for a walk, and he offered to
+accompany me. He had also a letter for the post, which was a secret
+to be kept from Francis; and he expected to find a packet awaiting
+him, which could not be entrusted to a servant. The packet was there
+amongst the letters marked poste restante; but when he had opened
+it 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 we
+walked back from the post. "Such business I must manage unknown to her;
+she does not understand these things, and she would not agree with
+me; and with her temper--at my age I have great need of quiet--that
+you comprehend. The Captain is entirely indebted to me for his rank,
+and it is but natural he should pay me some little attention. Yet you
+heard how my granddaughter took the matter up this morning. Instead of
+being content with me for retiring to this wilderness of a place, which
+I 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 the
+slightest 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 that
+I have been in want of all my life. There are so many mortgages
+on the Castle that nobody would give the sum necessary to pay
+them. Besides, the person who bought it would like to possess the
+neighbouring estates. My sister-in-law, who possessed the Runenberg
+estates bordering on my property, wished to buy it, but I refused
+her; family hatred would not suffer me to make room for her. Thank
+heaven, she's gone. She instituted proceedings against me about a
+strip of land of no real value to either of us; and the lawsuit cost
+me thousands of guilders. She won, as a matter of course, and then
+laid claim to a small bridge which connected the land in question
+with my grounds. Again I lost my money and my case; and now I must
+make a long round to reach places quite near, because the use of the
+bridge 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 say
+that the heir to the Runenberg is likely to make you an advantageous
+offer for the Werve."
+
+"It could be done privately--as in the case of the farms? Overberg
+arranged that for me--and there are reasons for avoiding a public
+sale," cried the old man, brightening up with a ray of hope.
+
+"Yes, Overberg said as much; the only question was whether you could
+be induced to sell it."
+
+"For myself, yes, with all my heart. But Francis--there's the
+rub! She has an affection for this old rats' nest, for the family
+traditions, and for heaven know's what; nay, even for the title which
+its possession carries with it. God bless the mark! She has got it
+into 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 her
+only chance of doing it is to make a rich marriage. Formerly she had
+chances enough amongst the rich bachelors, but she treated them all
+slightingly; 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 her
+if I sold it without her consent. Besides, she has a right to be
+consulted. When she came of age I had to inform her that her mother's
+fortune was nearly all spent. It was not my fault. Sir John Mordaunt
+kept up a large establishment, and lived in English style, without
+English money to support it; for he was only a second son, and his
+captain's pay was not large. A little before his death he lost an
+uncle, to whose property and title Francis would have succeeded if
+she had been a boy. Shortly after this event my son-in-law died of
+apoplexy, and I was left guardian to Francis. My evil fate pursued
+me still, and being in want of a large sum of money to clear off a
+debt, which would disgrace the family if not paid at once, Francis
+generously offered me her whole fortune. I accepted it, as there was
+no alternative, but only as a loan; and promised to leave the Werve
+to her at my death."
+
+"But Francis is your only grandchild--or stay, I have heard you had
+a son, General; has he children?"
+
+"My son is--dead," Von Zwenken answered, with a strange kind of
+hesitancy in his voice. "He was never married so far as I know--at
+least, he never asked my consent to a marriage; and if he has left
+children 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 it
+without reckoning with her."
+
+It struck me that Aunt Sophia had never foreseen this, and the mine
+she had been digging for Von Zwenken would have blown up Francis in
+the ruins if things had been allowed to take their course. I had, in
+fact, at my side, a type of the most refined selfishness, profoundly
+contemptible, recounting to me his shameful scheming under the cover
+of a gentlemanlike exterior and a polite friendliness, which might
+deceive the shrewdest man alive. Could I any longer wonder why Francis
+had so great an aversion to outward forms and ceremonies.
+
+"But," I resumed, "are you not afraid that after your death your
+granddaughter will be sadly undeceived, and perhaps cheated out of
+her all by your negligence."
+
+"What can I say, mon cher? Necessity knows no law; and I still hope
+to 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 the
+post-office. I believed I had seen it contained long lists of numbers;
+they were certainly the official numbers of some German lottery. The
+unhappy man evidently rested all his hopes on this expedient for
+re-establishing order in his affairs; and probably invested every
+penny he could scrape together in such lotteries. I though him an
+idiot to trust to any such means.
+
+"Nephew," he exclaimed, briskly, and with vivacity, as if a bright
+idea had struck him, "if it be true Overberg intends to treat with me
+about the sale of the Castle, would it not be well for you to break
+the subject to Francis, just to sound her? It appears to me you have
+some influence over her; and the greatest obstacle would be removed
+if 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 Captain
+would become less of a necessity for me if I were in some town where
+other society is to be found."
+
+Fortunately I did not need to answer him: we were at home, the luncheon
+bell was ringing, and the Captain came out to meet us, jovial as
+ever. Francis had not returned, and we took luncheon without waiting
+for her. Only at dinner-time did she put in an appearance. Her toilette
+was simply made, but she was dressed in good taste, and her beauty
+brought out to perfection. I was charmed. She seemed to tell me in
+a silent way that Major Frank had given place to Miss Mordaunt. She
+was quiet and thoughtful at dinner, and did not scold the Captain,
+who watched all her movements with dog-like humility. She paid much
+attention to the General, who seemed absent and out of sorts, for he
+only tasted some of the dishes. The dinner itself was a much simpler
+affair than on the preceding day; yet there was sufficient, and one
+extra dish had been made specially for Von Zwenken, who did not ask
+for the finer sorts of wine, but made up for this want by drinking two
+bottles of the ordinary wine without appearing any the worse for it.
+
+The only difference between him and the Captain was, that unlike the
+latter, he did not frankly confess that he lived to eat, and that
+his belly was his god. I began to feel a most hearty contempt for
+this grand-uncle of mine, and more especially when I reflected on
+the conversation we had had during our morning's walk.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+
+Dinner over, I did not hesitate about leaving the gentlemen
+to themselves. I declined a cigar, and followed Francis to the
+drawing-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 by
+that hateful nickname? Can't you see by her elegant dress she desires
+to appear herself--Miss Mordaunt?"
+
+"Indeed I am a blockhead not to pay better attention; but the truth
+is, 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 we
+not, Jonker?"
+
+"May I say one word," interposed the Captain, "before the Freule and
+the Jonker begin to philosophise; should the General come in I cannot
+say it. You know the day after to-morrow is the General's seventy-sixth
+birthday. I had intended the celebration to be a brilliant affair;
+but when I hear of wrong tracks, changes, and such farrago, I begin
+to fear all my plans will fall through."
+
+"Oh! was that the reason you brought in all those dainties this
+morning?"
+
+"Yes, and I thought the Jonker would be an agreeable addition to
+our party."
+
+"I give you full leave to arrange it all in your own way,
+Rolf. Grandfather must be feted."
+
+"Hurrah! of course!" he cried merrily; and off he went to make his
+arrangements, carefully shutting the folding-doors behind him so as
+to isolate us from the dining-room.
+
+I was just going to compliment Francis on the change in her style of
+dressing, when she complained of the closeness of the room, and skipped
+off into the garden. Left thus to my own resources, I lit a cigar
+and 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 see
+the sun set. Instead of taking the regular path, Francis preferred
+making direct for the object in view; and we had to trample through
+the underwood, and were many times tripped by the roots of felled
+trees. In answer to my remarks on this whim of hers, she replied--
+
+"People say my education was neglected, which is not quite correct. I
+am not altogether a child of the wilderness. In fact, much trouble
+was given to my training, only it was not of the right sort. I was
+brought up as a boy. As you know already, my mother died a few days
+after my birth, and Rolf's sister was my nurse. Her own child had
+died, and I replaced it for her. She had a blind affection for me,
+almost bordering on fanaticism; she obeyed all my wishes, giving as
+an excuse to any remonstrances that she was the only person in the
+world who loved me. This was an exaggeration, for my grandfather, who
+lived in the same house with us, made much of me, though it is true
+Sir John Mordaunt took little notice of his child. He had previously
+had a son called Francis, like myself, on whom all his hopes were
+fixed 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; and
+he received me with so little welcome that I have heard the last hours
+of 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, strong
+child I was. 'Indeed,' she said, 'it might have been a boy.'
+
+"Rolf has since told me that my father seemed suddenly struck by an
+idea. From that day forth he devoted much attention to my training,
+and this has made me what I am. Under pretext of hygiene and English
+custom, I was dressed in a loose costume, 'a boy's suit,' as my nurse
+called it, and I was taught all kinds of gymnastic exercises. They
+hardened me against heat and cold like a young Spartan. Rolf taught
+me the military exercise, and made me quite an adept at fencing,
+and all the young officers who dined with us were invited to have a
+bout with me. Out of complaisance to papa, they allowed me to come
+off victor; and Sir John was sure to reward me splendidly for any
+praise I won. At this time grandfather held the rank of Major, and
+I suppose it was an idea of Rolf's to give me the title of 'Little
+Major,' with which my father was so pleased that he often addressed
+me by this sobriquet, and so gave it the stamp of his authority. I
+well remember, on one occasion, an officer, evidently a stranger,
+addressed me as Miss Francis, which so much surprised me that I
+uttered a good round oath in English--it was Sir John's favourite
+expression; 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 you
+even to this day."
+
+"My nurse of course told me it was wrong, and tried to break me
+of 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 girl
+and could never become a man. I never went to children's parties; I
+was 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 on
+horseback. When my nurse acknowledged she had lost all control over me,
+a tutor was engaged--yes, a tutor: don't be surprised. Sir John had
+never either announced the death of his son or the birth of a daughter
+to his relations in England. For this reason I was isolated from my
+own sex, and even learned to regard it with somewhat of an aversion,
+owing to the conversation of Sir John and Dr. Darkins. I profited by
+such training, though perhaps not exactly as they desired, for I hated
+a lie, and my chief desire was to show myself such as I was, proud
+and frank in all my dealings with men. I am convinced grandfather
+had no hand in this plot, but he was too weak to speak out and set
+his face against it. Sometimes, however, he gave me needlework to do,
+and he had a strong aversion to Dr. Darkins. Disputes arose between
+him 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 that
+I should be sent to an aristocratic ladies' boarding-school. There I
+played all sorts of pranks, smoked like a grenadier, and had always
+a supply of extra-fine cigarettes wherewith to tempt my schoolfellows.
+
+"The cause of this great change in my life was brought about in this
+way. Aunt Ellen, a sister of my father's, had come over to Scheveningen
+with her husband for the bathing season, and thence she made a flying
+visit to see her brother, taking everybody by surprise--nobody more
+so than Sir John himself.
+
+"'Francis must be a big boy now; what are you going to make of him?' I
+heard her ask my father.
+
+"'There's nothing to be made of him,' my father answered angrily in
+his 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 believed
+you had a son, and you have done nothing to undeceive us; and the
+old 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 mean
+by it? Have you acted like a gentleman?'
+
+"Papa lisped something about 'absolute necessity,' and seemed anxious
+to induce her to co-operate in his schemes. The proud lady burst
+forth 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 listening
+with all my ears.
+
+"I obeyed very unwillingly, and not until I had spoken to Aunt
+Ellen. He ordered me to hold my tongue, and there was a mingling
+of menace, of anxiety, and embarrassment in his looks which drove me
+sheer out of the room. I had never seen him look like that before. What
+passed between them I cannot say. Aunt Ellen afterwards gave me fifty
+pounds, and promised to make me that yearly allowance if my conduct
+was satisfactory at school. I told her I hated girls' schools, and
+that I should much prefer going to England with Dr. Darkins, as had
+been promised me.
+
+"'That's out of the question, my child.' More she did not say, and
+I knew better than to ask Sir John any questions.
+
+"Well, as you may imagine, I did not stay a whole year at school. In
+some things I had the advantage of the eldest girls, whilst in others I
+was more stupid and ignorant than the children in the lowest class. My
+knitting 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, to
+make matters worse, if any one laughed at me for my awkwardness,
+or punished me for my carelessness, I flew into the most violent
+passion. I fought with the assistant-mistress, and boxed the ears
+of any girl who called me Major Frank--a girl from the same town as
+myself having betrayed me. Before I had been there six weeks I ran
+away, and had to be taken back by Sir John himself; but six months
+later I was dismissed as an untractable, incorrigible creature, whose
+conduct was pernicious in its effect on the rest of the school. The
+dismissal, however, was an injustice to me. Music was the only thing
+I liked at school, and the music master was the only teacher who had
+never 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 followed
+to inquire into the cause of the disturbance. Of course the master
+had the first word, and he was base enough to say I had become so
+violent on account of his correcting my fingering. When asked for my
+explanation, I answered that I would not contradict a liar--it was
+beneath my dignity.
+
+"I declined to apologize, and was threatened with the severest
+punishments known in the school. They shut me up in a room and fed
+me on bread and water, but all in vain; the mistress was obliged to
+write for my father.
+
+"He sent my old nurse to fetch me away, and I confided the truth
+to 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 was
+so glad to get away from the school that I prevented her carrying out
+her 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 fuss
+about a kiss. The music master kisses me,' she continued, 'and all the
+others who are pretty,' as he says. Still, we are much too sensible
+to 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 a
+servant 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 ever
+very polite to my face, and calumniated me directly my back was
+turned. Thus, you see, under these forms of decorum all kinds of lies
+and infamy are hidden."
+
+"Francis, I am quite of your opinion that a man's fine manners are
+no guarantee of his morality or uprightness; but do you think society
+would be improved by turning all its sin, wretchedness, and ugliness
+to 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 obliged
+to 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 to
+social life an aspect which renders it supportable."
+
+As we returned from the ruin the sky had become misty, and the sun
+was setting behind the clouds, its presence being only marked by the
+orange and purple rays struggling through the mist; the fields were
+already invisible under this wet sheet of nature's procuring. It
+was time for us to seek shelter from such humidity as surrounded
+us. Francis proposed to enter the house with all speed.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+
+Now that Francis was once in the humour to give me the history of
+her past life, I encouraged her to continue her story.
+
+She went on to say that a Swiss governess was engaged to teach her
+needlework and other ladylike accomplishments.
+
+"My father," she said, "seeing all his plans foiled by the unexpected
+visit of my English aunt, left me entirely in the hands of my
+governess. And as I no longer wrote a letter every year to the
+old uncle telling him of my progress in fencing and horsemanship,
+and signing myself Francis Mordaunt (I had been told this was the
+accepted orthography in England), Sir John received no more bills of
+exchange from that source. It was these bills of exchange which had
+enabled him to keep up such an expensive establishment. He ought now
+to have adopted a plainer style of living; but he preferred drawing
+upon his capital.
+
+"I thought it my duty to write to Aunt Ellen, and to tell her the truth
+about my having left the school. She answered me in affectionate terms,
+and enclosed the annual fifty pounds with many exhortations to industry
+and much good advice. She even promised me I should come to London on
+a 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 English
+relations since.
+
+"Mademoiselle Chelles, my governess, was a woman of tact, and won
+my affection and esteem. In the long walks we took together our
+conversation was confidential, and she spoke of the sufferings of the
+poor, 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 had
+ever done before. She inspired me with a love for the beauties of
+nature, and awoke the better feelings which, thus far, had lain
+dormant; assisting me in my preparation for confirmation. Perhaps
+she 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 with
+her. She could not bear the grand soudard, the 'ogre,' as she called
+him; for his manners frightened her, and he made his offer in such
+a maladroit fashion that she walked off to my father, and said she
+would leave the house if ever that man were allowed to put his foot
+into it again. This, as everybody said, was assuming the 'high tone'
+on her part. Grandfather and nurse were on Rolf's side, and my father
+answered--'It's only a governess, let her go.' I myself said little
+for her; I was too anxious to regain my ancient liberty--though I have
+since known the loss I sustained in losing her. I was young then;
+my father ought to have known better. Even to the present day this
+is 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 hunted
+together, and when he allowed me to drive I was ever ready to show
+off 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 person
+in the world who really loved me. I had to take her place, and fulfil
+the duties of mistress in the household. My father was expecting a
+visitor from England----"
+
+She stopped abruptly, and fixing her beautiful blue eyes on me with
+a 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 have
+sometimes suffered from the intermittent fever called love?"
+
+"I have done my best, cousin, to escape it. Knowing myself to be
+too poor to maintain a wife in these expensive times, I have always
+observed a strict reserve in my relations with them in order not to
+be 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 you
+will 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, who
+is neither a fool nor a coxcomb, but who, on the contrary, has given
+evidences of his shrewdness and penetration, not to observe pretty
+quickly that a girl--how shall I express myself?--that a girl is
+deeply attached to him, even though no word of love has been exchanged
+between them?"
+
+I was greatly embarrassed. What could be her meaning? Was this
+simplicity or maliciousness on her part, to address such a question
+to me? After a few moments' reflection, however, I answered--
+
+"I believe that, in general, both men and women very quickly discover
+the mutual feelings which they entertain towards each other, even
+though no words on the subject have passed between them."
+
+"That is my opinion also now; but at the time I am referring to I was
+as inexperienced as a child. My father's friends always regarded me
+as an ill-bred girl, whimsical and capricious, a sort of savage whom
+nobody cared to invite into society either for the sake of their sons
+or daughters. The young officers who visited at our house would try
+to make themselves agreeable; but their conduct appeared so insipid,
+so ridiculous, that I only mocked them, and gave such biting replies
+as to disconcert the most intrepid amongst them.
+
+"It was at this time that Lord William came to stay with us. He
+was introduced to me as a schoolfellow of my father's; at Eton he
+had been Sir John's fag, and indeed was his junior by only a few
+years. For some reason, unexplained to me, it was said he had been
+obliged to leave England, and my father offered him the suite of
+rooms left vacant by my grandfather. Lord William appeared to be
+rich; he brought over an immense quantity of luggage, and paid right
+royally for any service rendered him. I believe, indeed, he had a
+private agreement with my father about the housekeeping expenses,
+though neither of them ever told me so. Now a housekeeper was engaged
+to assist me in the management of the house, and yet it was with
+the greatest difficulty that I could adapt myself to the duties
+of 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 his
+use. Moreover, he was highly gifted with the faculty of communicating
+his knowledge to others in a pleasant and agreeable manner. He was an
+enthusiastic lover of art and poetry; he could read and even speak
+several modern languages, and was passionately fond of antiquities
+and ancient history. He knew--what we were all ignorant of--that the
+library of our own small town possessed works of inestimable value on
+these subjects, and I think this was his reason for choosing it as
+his place of sojourn on the Continent. At all events he made great
+use of the library. You may understand my surprise at seeing a man,
+evidently of high rank, who cared neither for hunting nor noisy
+pleasures of any kind, and who declared the happiest moments of his
+life to be those spent in his study, and yet withal he was a perfect
+gentleman and man of the world. The gentlemen said he was ugly;
+the ladies were silent on that point, but appeared delighted with
+the slightest attention he paid them. I thought he bore a striking
+resemblance to our Stadtholder William III., though less pale. He had
+a high forehead, strongly marked features, and dark eyes, which made
+you 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 not
+to detain you too long, I will at once confess he exercised a powerful
+influence over me for good. I soon discovered that my manners were
+displeasing to him, and that he evinced towards me a compassionate
+sympathy, as if he regretted the sad turn my tastes had taken. One
+day I overheard him ask my father why he did not take me out into
+society. He gave as a reason my wild and brusque manners, and the
+kind of society to be found in a small town like ours. Lord William
+was not a man to be easily discouraged. He spoke to me privately
+about my previous life, and put all sorts of questions to me about
+my education. I told him everything, in my own way, without trying
+to 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 my
+tastes. He soon made me acquainted with the masterpieces of German and
+French literature, and discovered to me the beauties of the classics
+in his own language; and I learnt from him most assiduously that
+which 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 thread
+of my narrative. It is at your desire I recount to you the story of
+my past life; and how much wiser would you be if I were to compress
+it into a sentence like this for instance: 'Lord William came to our
+house in the autumn, and left us the following spring'?"
+
+"Without having become your fiance?" I said in agony.
+
+"Without having become my fiance," she answered in a dry, cold tone.
+
+I was angry with myself. I had only too plainly shown that I was
+jealous of the praise lavished on this stranger. And what right had
+I to be jealous?
+
+She was the first to break the silence which ensued.
+
+"Leopold," she said, "I perceive that this account of the events of
+my youth is anything but agreeable to you. If you had left us as I
+wished you to do this morning, I should not now be wearying you with
+my 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 with
+all the strength of a first love, and with all that innocency of a
+young heart which does not yet even know that the passion which sways
+it is love. I soon found that Lord William was dearer to me than all
+the world beside, and that my chief delight was to obey him in all
+things, to consult him on all occasions, and to accompany him when and
+wherever it was possible. I even found means to interest myself in his
+archaeological researches. I translated for him Dutch documents which
+formerly I would not have taken the trouble to read. Besides, finding
+that, like most men, he was fond of a good dinner, I took care to have
+such dishes prepared as I knew to be to his liking. I began to pay
+attention to my dress, because he himself, without going to extremes
+or exceeding the bounds of good taste, was always well dressed. He
+introduced me into the society of our small town, and I felt vexed
+every time he paid the least attention to another lady, though I took
+care not to let him see it. We also gave dinners and received company,
+and the ladies were greatly astonished at the manner in which Major
+Frank played the hostess. The winter was drawing to a close, and it
+had been settled that, on the first fine day which offered, we should
+all make an excursion to the Werve. My grandfather had returned to
+the garrison, and I was soon aware he disapproved of my sentiments
+towards 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 in
+my hand, when I heard my grandfather and father, who sat on a bench
+underneath, speaking of Lord William and myself in terms which excited
+my curiosity.
+
+"Grandfather, in a very bad humour, said: 'She is always parading him
+about, and he pays no attentions to anybody but her. In your place,
+I should ask him to declare his intentions, and then the engagement
+can be publicly announced.'
+
+"My father burst out in a loud laugh.
+
+"'Major,' he said, 'what are you thinking of? William, whose intentions
+are perfectly honest, was at school with me; he is only two or three
+years my junior, and Francis has not completed her seventeenth year.'
+
+"'What does that matter? He does not look much over thirty, and I
+tell you she's madly in love with him. How is it possible you have
+never perceived it yourself?'
+
+"'Bless me, Major!' cried my father, 'you must know that William is
+married; and, moreover, I am very grateful to him for acting the part
+of mentor to Francis; indeed she had need of one!'
+
+"'In truth, Sir John, either you are too simple, or you indulge a
+confidence in your friend I cannot approve of.'
+
+"'You would have the same confidence in him that I have, if you knew
+him as well. He is every inch a gentleman, sir, and if I hinted the
+slightest suspicion he would leave the house instantly. And, besides,
+he is generous, very generous--I am deeply indebted to him. His stay
+with us is almost at its close. He must return to London to preside
+at the meeting of some society of antiquarians of which he is the
+president. The disagreeable affair which obliged him to come to
+the Continent is almost arranged. He was afraid of a lawsuit which
+would have caused much scandal in high life, but the mediators are
+now hopeful of success. His wife, who is travelling in the South with
+his relations, has written him a very humble letter, imploring him to
+forget and to forgive. He has told me his mind is not yet quite made
+up, but that he has a great repugnance to a divorce; probably then----'
+
+"Hereupon the two speakers got up and walked away into the garden. As
+for 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 read
+me! I loved--I loved with passion, and all at once I discovered my
+passion to be a crime. And he, had he not deceived me by leaving me in
+ignorance of what it was most important for me to know? Ought he not to
+have foreseen the danger into which he was leading me by his kind and
+affectionate treatment? Without doubt he felt himself invulnerable;
+without doubt he still loved his absent wife. It is true that with
+his kind manners he always maintained a certain reserve with me; once,
+indeed, and once only, he had kissed my hand with marks of tenderness
+for some attention or other I had shown him. That night I could not
+sleep 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 I
+considered his deception towards me; but he was not at home, and
+would not return before dinner. At table I could not help showing
+him how much my feelings towards him had changed. This he observed,
+and when the other gentlemen lit their cigars after dinner, instead
+of following me to the drawing-room, as was his wont, he took a cigar
+and stayed with them. I remembered that I could smoke also, and I
+followed his example. I saw him frown; he threw away his cigar, and
+invited 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 cannot
+understand the reason for this change in your behaviour towards me.'
+
+"'On a little reflection, my lord, you will easily discover the
+reason. You know how much I love plain-speaking.'
+
+"'Very good.'
+
+"'What can I think of you when I hear from other people that you
+are 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 all
+others?'
+
+"'Sir John has told me nothing; I have heard it by accident. By
+accident, you understand, my lord, and now I think I have the right
+to hear from your own lips more particulars about your wife.'
+
+"He drew back some paces; his features became so contracted under an
+expression of violent suffering that I myself was afraid. For a time
+he 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 arrived
+when I could give you such a mark of confidence. There is too much
+of bitterness in your tone for me to suppose your question arises
+out of an interest in my sorrows, and only those who have such an
+interest have a claim to my explanations. Is it a young girl like
+you that I should choose out by preference, in whom to confide the
+sad secrets of my unhappy marriage? And how could I begin to speak
+about 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 danger
+in leaving me ignorant of your marriage?'
+
+"'No, certainly not. I came here to divert my thoughts from my
+troubles, and to seek solace--which I have found--in my favourite
+studies. I made your acquaintance in the house of your father, who
+received me hospitably; and I thought I perceived your education had
+been neglected, nay, that even a false turn had been given to your
+ideas. This I have tried to remedy and I must acknowledge you have
+gratefully appreciated and seconded my efforts; but it does not follow
+that I ought to acquaint you with all my personal affairs and all
+my griefs and troubles. I fled from England to escape the condolence
+of my friends and the raillery of my adversaries. I wished to avoid
+a lawsuit in which my name--a name of some renown in England--would
+have been exposed to the comments of a public ever hungering after
+scandal. Could I have talked to you on such a subject? It would have
+cast a gloom over the golden dreams of your youth, and rendered the
+autumn 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 seeing
+that my ignorance of your marriage has caused me to embark on a sea of
+illusions, where in the spring-time of life I shall suffer shipwreck.'
+
+"A movement of fright escaped him. I broke forth in complaints and
+reproaches; he fell back on a divan and covered his face with his
+hands. He protested he had never guessed at such an idea, never even
+suspected anything of the sort. Afterwards, when I had eased my mind
+and was sitting sobbing before him, he recovered himself, and coming
+over to me he said, in his usual calm and affectionate tone--
+
+"'My child, there is much exaggeration in all you have told me. Your
+imagination has been struck, and you have suffered it to carry you
+away, so that you believe all you say now; but I can assure you, you
+are mistaken. You are impressionable, susceptible, but too young to
+understand the real passion of love. At your age, young girls have
+very often some little love affair with the engaging young dancer
+they met at the last ball. You, who have been kept out of society on
+account of the masculine education you had received, have known no
+such temptations; but perhaps for this very reason you were the more
+exposed to illusions of another kind, which I confess I ought to have
+foreseen, namely, that of falling in love with the first gentleman
+who showed you more than the usual attentions of common civility. I
+happen to be this man. We have read several plays of Shakespeare
+together. Every young girl may imagine herself a Juliet; but that
+is 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 would
+be. I am about the same age as your father; I am turning gray; I
+should also be as stout, but for a disease which threatens me with
+consumption. All this is far from poetic, is it not? Exercise your
+reason, your good sense, and you will be the first to acknowledge
+that 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. He
+approached me, and laying his hand on my shoulder, with the greatest
+gentleness said--
+
+"'I was married one year before your father, and though I have no
+children, I might have had a daughter of your age. I had accustomed
+myself, gradually, to regard you as my own daughter; you deprive me
+of this pleasure, for the present at least, though I am sure you will
+one 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 of
+abasement to which the passions may lead a woman who has not energy
+enough to overcome them. If I had a son--I have only a nephew, who
+will be heir to my title and property--and if----"
+
+"'Thank you, my lord, I could never address you as my uncle!' and
+I burst out in an hysterical laugh. There was a beautiful edition
+of Shakespeare lying on the table, a present from him; I took it up
+and tore it leaf from leaf, scattering them about the room. At the
+same instant my maid knocked at the door; she came to remind me it
+was time to dress for the ball. We had accepted invitations for this
+evening to the house of a banker, one of the most prominent men in our
+province. My pride having been touched to the quick, I determined to
+seek solace in the wildest excitement. I flirted with the only son
+of this banker, who all through the winter had been very attentive
+to me. I felt much pleasure in showing Lord William how easily I
+could forget him; but my eyes were all the while furtively following
+him to see the effect my conduct might produce. He remained calm and
+cool as ever. After a while he seated himself at the card-table, and
+lost a considerable sum of money to my grandfather. On the morrow,
+I perceived preparations were being made for his departure in all
+haste. Lord William had received the letters he had so long expected,
+and seemed to have no time to notice me. I became transported with
+passion, when my father told me at luncheon that the banker's son had
+asked permission to wait upon me in the course of the afternoon. You
+can understand my rage. 'What a falling-off was there!'--from Lord
+William 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 accustomed
+to in Sir John. 'You have given the young man encouragement, and you
+had better reflect on the consequences of refusing such a good offer.'"
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+
+"Poor Charles Felters was quite thunderstruck at the reception
+I gave him. His gay partner of last evening's dance had changed
+into a veritable fury. I told him plainly I didn't care a jot for
+him. He hesitated, he stammered, and couldn't make up his mind to
+go. 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 the
+room. Scarcely knowing what I was about, I seized a foil, handed it
+to my would-be lover, and taking another myself, I took up my position
+on 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."
+
+"'Voila comme on ecrit l'histoire.' I have myself heard he made a
+voyage round the world to escape from me; but the truth is he only
+made 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 the
+father of a family; nevertheless, all his relations bear me the most
+intense hatred, and lose no opportunity of serving me a malicious
+turn. I still held my foil in my hand when Lord William entered the
+room. His look was sufficient to show me his disapprobation.
+
+"'If your father had taken my advice, Francis,' he said, 'he would
+have waited some little time before informing you of the intentions of
+Felters; still there was no reason for your acting in this way. For
+shame to treat a poor fellow, who perhaps never had a foil in his
+hand before, in such a manner. But, well! I have always hesitated
+about putting you to the test; permit me now, however, to take the
+place 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 decline
+his challenge, and I determined to show him that he was not fencing
+with an inexperienced girl. He handled his foil with a lightness and
+firmness of hand I had little expected to find in a man of letters,
+confining himself, however, to parrying my attacks only; and yet this
+he did so skilfully that I was unable to touch him. I exhausted myself
+in 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 falling
+in upon him I broke my foil upon his breast. He, with a smile, had
+neglected to parry this attack, and I saw a thin stream of blood
+trickle down his shirt-front. Now I was overwhelmed with sorrow and
+repentance. 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 will
+perhaps cure her of her taste for such unladylike weapons.'
+
+"'I will never, never more touch them,' I cried in terror when I saw
+his pocket-handkerchief, which he had applied to the wound, saturated
+with blood.
+
+"And I have kept my word, though it has not prevented my obtaining
+a wide reputation as a duellist. Neither Charles Felters nor the
+servant of Lord William could hold their tongues, though the latter
+had been forbidden by his master to say a word on the subject. I was
+reminded very unpleasantly, next time I appeared in the town, that
+the affair had become public property. Lord William would not allow us
+to send for a surgeon, but had the wound dressed by his own servant;
+and, fortunately, it turned out to be less dangerous than I feared
+at first. I sought my own room, and hid myself there with all the
+remorse of a Cain. I resolved to throw myself at his feet and beg his
+pardon. But the reaction to my excited state of feelings had now set
+in, and I fell exhausted on a sofa, where I slept for several hours
+a feverish kind of sleep. When I awoke Lord William was gone. After
+this I was seriously ill; and on my recovery my grandfather took me
+as soon as possible to the Werve for the fresh country air. Sir John
+told me, when I was quite well, that Lord William had certainly given
+proof of his good-nature to allow me to touch him; for while at Eton
+he had been considered one of the best fencers in the school, and
+just before quitting England he had fought a duel with an officer in
+the Horse Guards, and wounded him in a manner that report said was
+likely to be fatal.
+
+"My answer to this was that I had never suspected Lord William of
+being a duellist.
+
+"'That he never was; but in this instance his honour was at stake. He
+could not leave the insult of this captain unpunished. Perhaps,
+however, he would have acted more justly if he had put his wife
+to death; and though an English jury would certainly have brought
+him in guilty of murder, yet, considering the great provocation he
+had received, public opinion would have sympathized with him in the
+highest degree. Now he is reconciled to her again, at least in outward
+appearance; but he has written to me that he is going to make a tour
+all 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 now
+followed in rapid succession. My father died suddenly; my grandfather
+was promoted in rank, and we removed to Zutphen, where I proposed
+to begin a new life. But though we break with our antecedents, it is
+impossible to sponge out the past. However, more of this hereafter. I
+must attend to the other gentlemen, otherwise I shall be accused of
+neglecting my duties. I will tell you more of this history at another
+time if it interests you; for it is a relief to me to confide it to
+a friend. Only never begin the subject yourself, as there are moments
+when 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 passed
+through 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 I
+tried to think these were her "campaign years," as she calls them,
+though it was evident her heart had suffered long before she attained
+her twenty-fifth birthday. If she had told me of deception, so common
+in the world, of an engagement broken off, of a misplaced affection,
+such things would not have troubled my peace of mind. What affected
+me was to think this Englishman had won the place in her affections
+which I wished to be the first to occupy--that place which permits
+a man to inspire a woman with confidence, and exercise over her an
+influence authoritative and beneficial. Time had done much to cool
+her love for him, but she had not forgotten him; and it was certainly
+a devotion to his memory which rendered her so indifferent to the
+merits of other men. I wondered if she had told me all this history
+in order to make me comprehend the improbability of my being able
+to replace her ideal. Had she not told me on the heath, on our first
+meeting, that if she suspected I came to demand her hand in marriage,
+she would leave me there and then? I felt myself diminishing in her
+estimation. And there was a portrait of William III. hanging over
+the 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 vain
+shadow. Eight years had passed since these events. She was no longer a
+little girl, who could imagine she saw a Romeo in her mentor who was a
+long 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 of
+committing an imprudence, I made up my mind to ask her whether she
+regarded the loss of her Lord William as irreparable. It was necessary
+for me to know what chance of success was left me.
+
+This night I slept little, for I was rolling over in my mind all
+sorts of extravagant declarations which I intended to make to my
+cousin next day. This, however, was the day preceding the General's
+birthday, and Francis was fully occupied with the Captain in making
+all sorts of preparations; so that during the whole day I never once
+could find a suitable moment to begin the subject. The master of the
+village school would bring up to the Castle his best pupils to recite
+verses made for the occasion; the clergyman and the notables would
+also come to offer their congratulations.
+
+Francis sent me to the post-office to fetch a registered letter for
+her. [4] General von Zwenken was in a bad humour because Rolf had no
+time to amuse him, and finding myself rather in the way I went off
+to my room to write.
+
+Here in the afternoon I found on my table a little Russian leather
+case, on which my initials had been embroidered above the word
+Souvenir. Inside I found a bank-note equivalent to the sum Francis had
+borrowed of me; on the envelope which inclosed it she had written,
+in a bold hand, the word Merci, her name, and the date. The case
+itself was not new. Poor dear girl! she must have sat up half the
+night to work my initials in silk, as a surprise. I now felt more
+than ever how dear she was become to me, and I promised myself not
+to temporize any longer. Then the idea occurred to me: If I can get
+her permission, I will ask her hand of the General to-morrow after
+I have congratulated him on his birthday.
+
+This idea threw me into a transport of joy. I got up from my chair
+with the intention of seeking my cousin and bringing matters to a
+crisis 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 hoarse
+voice called several times--
+
+"Francis! Francis!"
+
+Astonished, and wishing to know who this could be, I stood
+motionless. The voice cried again--
+
+"Francis, if you don't open the window I will break the sash all
+to pieces."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+
+As, for very good reasons, Francis gave no answer, a vigorous arm
+forced open the window, and a man sprang into the room, seemingly
+quite indifferent about any damage he might have caused.
+
+"What is your business with Miss Mordaunt?" I asked, advancing towards
+the 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, and
+I am the person surprised."
+
+"Well, yes, my entrance is somewhat irregular," he replied, in the
+most familiar style possible; "however, Mr. Unknown, I am neither a
+thief nor a housebreaker. I have entered in this way because I wished
+no one but Francis to know of my arrival, and I was sure I should find
+her here; but, now I am here, allow me to rest myself whilst I reflect
+a little upon the best means of obtaining an interview with her."
+
+And he threw himself at full length on the old sofa, which creaked
+under his weight.
+
+"Ah! ah!" he continued, examining the walls, "the family portraits
+are gone--eaten away, no doubt, by the moths and the damp."
+
+It was quite clear to me the stranger was not here for the first
+time. Though his manners were free, there was something gentlemanly
+in his personal appearance. Still his dress was fantastic. He wore
+a short velvet jacket with metal buttons, and a silk handkerchief
+loosely 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 some
+minutes. "I have ridden for three hours, and my throat is almost
+choked 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 at
+rest for a moment; his greenish-grey eyes, the fine wrinkles on his
+high sunburnt forehead, and the paleness of his cheeks, all marked
+him as the adventurer endued with strong passions--an impression
+that was increased by his thick-set face, large nose, and the tufted
+mustachios hanging over his thick, sensual lips. I could not refuse
+him a glass of water, unwelcome as I found his presence. As I handed
+it to him I said--
+
+"You seem to know this house well."
+
+"Yes, and that's no wonder; I played many a prank here in my
+boyhood. But you, sir, who are you? An adjutant of the Colonel's,
+or a protege of Francis's?"
+
+"I think I have the best right to question you, and to ask who
+you are?"
+
+"That's true enough; and I would tell you with pleasure, but it's a
+secret which concerns others besides myself. Call me Mr. Smithson--it's
+the 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 word
+derogatory to the character of Miss Mordaunt, I shall instantly make
+you 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 offensive
+word about Francis. Now, since you know her, you ought to be aware
+that she would never refuse to assist a person in distress out of a
+sense 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 are
+her----I should have thought Francis Mordaunt more capable of
+commanding a batalion than of bowing herself under the yoke of
+marriage. But, after all, women do change their minds. Then you are
+the 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 name
+is Leopold van Zonshoven."
+
+"Well, upon my word! Probably we are cousins, for I am also related to
+the General. Francis will not refuse to come, I assure you--especially
+if 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, and
+possibly yours also--for you seem as yet only half-and-half convinced
+that I am not a highwayman."
+
+I no longer hesitated; but took the precaution to lock my door on
+the outside, lest he should follow me, and surprise Francis before
+I had warned her. Having reached her room I knocked gently, and she
+answered "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?" she
+exclaimed.
+
+"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 to
+give 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, and
+offered to make him retrace his steps if she desired it.
+
+"No, there must be no disturbance," she said, in a state of
+agitation. "My grandfather must not even suspect he is here. I will
+go with you, Leopold; this once you must excuse me if I do anything
+you consider in bad form. How dare he show his face here? I can do
+nothing 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, fast
+asleep. When he saw Francis standing before him, he jumped up as if
+to embrace her, but she drew back. He did not seem hurt, but he lost
+his tone of assurance.
+
+"I understand, Francis, that my return is not a joyful surprise
+to you."
+
+"You have broken your promise. You gave me your word of honour you
+would stay in America. At any rate, you ought never to have set foot
+in your native country again----"
+
+"Don't judge me without having heard----"
+
+"Is it not tempting fortune to come back here to the Werve, where
+you may so easily be recognized?"
+
+"Oh, don't make yourself uneasy on that score, my dear. I have taken
+precautions; and as for breaking my promise, I beg your pardon on my
+bended 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 some
+steps from him.
+
+"Heaven forbid! On the boards, to gain a livelihood, it is another
+thing; but in your presence, before you, Francis, whom I honour and
+love, I wish to justify my conduct. You may condemn me afterwards, if
+you like. It was really my intention never to appear before your eyes
+again. Alas! man is but the puppet of fortune, and I have not been able
+to swim against the stream. I have had all sorts of adventures--but
+can I tell you all now?" he added, looking significantly at me. "To
+tell 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 need
+no protector where I am."
+
+"I know that, but I will not again expose myself to calumny for your
+sake. As for your security, Rudolf, I can answer for my cousin Van
+Zonshoven'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 most
+indifferent shrug of the shoulders, and he again stretched himself at
+full length on the sofa. "The least indiscretion, and my life will be
+forfeited. 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 try
+to 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'ou me chasse encor ta haine,
+                En seigneur j'ai commande.
+
+
+At least," he put in, "during the absence of the Baron, for I was
+heir-presumptive--a presumption which, alas! is destined never to be
+changed 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 'My
+uncle.' It is my own fault. I have never been able to inspire people
+with the necessary respect for me. Well, now, Cousin van Zonshoven,
+you know who I am, but there is one point I must rectify: Rudolf von
+Zwenken 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 something
+like suicide, for he would be arrested and shot."
+
+"And knowing that, after all that has been done to put you beyond
+danger, 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 is
+true we give representations in the provinces; but the person who
+appears in public is Mr. Smithson, so well begrimed that Baron von
+Zwenken himself would not recognize his own son."
+
+"That's very fortunate, for it would be the death of him," retorted
+Francis, harshly.
+
+"How you exaggerate, dearest. Monsieur mon pere never had so much
+affection 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 father
+again."
+
+"Can you be so hard-hearted, Francis?"
+
+"My duty obliges me, and I must have some regard for the feelings of
+your father in the first place."
+
+"But, my dear child, try to understand me. I only wish to kiss his
+hand and beg his pardon. With this object I have run all risks, and
+imposed on myself all kinds of fatigue. I have just ridden hard for
+three hours, hidden myself in the old ruins, climbed the garden wall
+at 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 cannot
+be; you will still be my good angel, and arrange the meeting I so
+much 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 I
+am returned again like the prodigal son, with an empty purse, 'after
+eating 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 in
+clean greenbacks, as a commencement of restitution, an earnest of
+my reform. What do you think my father would say if he found them
+to-morrow morning on his pillow? Don't you think he would receive me
+with 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 of
+restitution. What is this sum in comparison with what you have
+cost him, and all the suffering you have caused him and me? Such
+sacrifices as we had made gave us the right to hope you would leave
+us in peace--forget us."
+
+Rudolf bowed down his head and heaved a deep sigh. I could not help
+pitying the unfortunate man. I should have liked to say something
+in his favour; but the cold, haughty, nay, contemptuous attitude of
+Francis seemed to impose silence on me. There must be some reason,
+I felt sure, for her inexorable severity; consequently I remained a
+passive spectator.
+
+At length Rudolf roused himself from his despondency, drank off a glass
+of water, and, turning towards Francis, said in his most serious tone--
+
+"Just listen, Miss Mordaunt. It appears to me that, under the pretext
+of acting as guardian to my father, you oppose a reconciliation between
+us, 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 will
+be 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 a
+bitter 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!" exclaimed
+Francis, 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 to
+set you at ease about any consequences which might result from my
+reconciliation with my father. To the world I am Richard Smithson,
+American citizen; but let me have the pleasure of being for the few
+minutes I stay here Rudolf von Zwenken, who would speak to his old
+father once more, and take a last farewell of him. How can you oppose
+such 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 father
+in the large drawing-room--I have not forgotten my way about the
+house--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 out
+like an old soldier."
+
+"The devil take Rolf! What's the old ruffian doing here?" spitefully
+exclaimed Rudolf.
+
+"The old ruffian does all he can to cheer the declining years of your
+father, whom you have rendered unhappy by your conduct."
+
+"My misery would not be complete without your contumely," sobbed
+Rudolf. "I came here so cheerful and well disposed."
+
+"Mr. Rudolf," I said, "allow me to arrange an interview for you with
+the 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 know
+it is impossible, and therefore better to say nothing. Rudolf well
+remembers I threw myself at the feet of my grandfather, and besought
+him not to send his son into exile unforgiven, and it only added
+to the pain and sorrow of the scene. Don't forget, either, that you
+yourself caused the report of your death to be spread abroad. The old
+man believed it, and I have since heard him say it was a comfort to
+him. His fears lest you should be arrested, tried, and condemned,
+were only set at rest when he heard the news. Would you renew his
+distress, and put him to these tortures again?"
+
+"It is true, too true--you are right," said Rudolf, quite breaking
+down.
+
+"But you shall not leave the house without some refreshment," returned
+Francis in a kind tone, now she felt her victory to be certain; "I
+will go and fetch you something to eat immediately. Cousin Leopold
+will allow you to have supper and to repose yourself in his room."
+
+Whereupon she left the room, and I was left alone with this singular
+cousin of mine.
+
+"Bah!" he said, "our Major is not to be trifled with. What eyes she
+gave me! I felt as if she would pierce me through and through; and
+yet 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 towards
+a relation," I interposed.
+
+"What shall I say? She knows only my evil deeds as she has heard
+them recounted by my father. When chance or misfortune has thrown us
+two together, it has always been under circumstances which could
+not dispose her in my favour. I have cost her both trouble and
+money--nay, I even fear her reputation has been called in question on
+my account. When I was in trouble she came to my assistance, regardless
+of what public gossip might say. It was at Zutphen. My father's door
+was 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--in
+fact, very seldom except on Sundays. But we were discovered; certain
+idlers took it into their heads to play the spy on us, and Heaven
+only knows what sort of reports they set flying about the town. The
+generous girl had pawned her diamonds in order to assist me, unknown
+to her grandfather. This act of devotion was of course interpreted to
+her disadvantage. You may think it would be more noble on her part
+not 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 horse
+without a defect. Though she were to scratch and to bite me, I would
+still 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 with
+a most voracious appetite.
+
+When he had somewhat allayed his hunger, he began--
+
+"Francis, my darling, where am I to pass the night? I cannot go
+into that part of the house occupied by the General and Rolf, that's
+certain. I would go into the stable and sleep in the hay, but that
+I 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 to
+ride----but Francis, my angel, you are quite pale; have you also sold
+your beautiful English saddle-horse?"
+
+"No, Tancredo is stabled at farmer Pauwelsen's; but it is the
+recollection of Harry Blount which causes me to turn pale. I--it is
+dreadful--I was the cause of his death."
+
+"Nonsense; come, come! In a moment of passion?" (here he made the
+gesture 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 occurred
+during 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 left
+us. Harry wanted to try them himself for the first time, but I took
+it 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 rejoicing
+in my triumph; but still Harry shook his head, and recommended me
+to be prudent. The sky became clouded, and a thunderstorm threatened
+us. In my folly, I urged the horses on still faster, though they were
+already taking the bits between their teeth. Harry became alarmed,
+and tried to take the reins out of my hands; but I resisted, and
+would not give them up. In an instant the thunder began to roll,
+and lightning struck right across our way; the horses took fright and
+began to rear on their hind-legs. Blount jumped off the box to go to
+their 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 violence
+of the shock caused me to swoon. When I was again conscious, I saw
+the unfortunate Blount lying on the road, crushed, with scarcely a
+breath 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 your
+sake, I would that I had been the victim of this accident rather than
+Blount. You would have had one burden less to bear. Don't take it so
+to heart, my child. I have seen others fall from their horses never
+to rise again alive. What can we do? Wait till our turn comes, and
+not 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 the
+ruin? It is a cold place, and doubly so when I think of the parental
+castle close by."
+
+"The truth is, I cannot offer you a room, Rudolf. There is not one
+suitable for the purpose."
+
+"But why cannot Rudolf share mine?" I asked; "I will give up my bed
+to him."
+
+"No," he replied quickly; "I will be content with the sofa, if Francis
+will 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 now
+good-bye. It is time for me to go; otherwise my absence will be
+remarked 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 veritable
+Yankee uncle. I have not discovered a gold mine. Accept at least what
+I 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? I
+have committed many follies in my life--I have been a fool, a
+ne'er-do-weel, a spendthrift, I am a deserter--but a forger of false
+bank-notes! Francis, could you suspect me of such infamy?"
+
+"I wish I had only suspicions, Rudolf; unfortunately I have the
+proofs."
+
+"The proofs!" he cried, in a sorrowful tone of voice; "but that's
+impossible."
+
+"What am I to think of the false letters of exchange in which you
+forged your father's signature? We have got them under lock and key,
+these terrible proofs, and they have cost us dear. I have pardoned
+this fault with the rest, Rudolf; but facts are facts."
+
+"It is impossible, I tell you!" he answered with firmness. "There
+must be some terrible mistake in this case, and I trust you will
+assist me in clearing it up. If my father believes that of me, I am
+not surprised he should rejoice at my death, nor am I astonished you
+despise me. However, I solemnly protest to you by all that's dear to
+me, I am innocent, Francis."
+
+"Yet these bills were presented to Baron von Zwenken, and we paid
+them to prevent a lawsuit. It could not have affected you very much,
+for you were in America; but my grandfather would have been obliged
+to retire from the army."
+
+"Francis, you are possessed of good, sound sense. How dared I have
+committed such an offence just at the time I was in hiding near
+Zutphen, at the moment when you were so generously raising funds
+for my enterprise in America; nay, at the moment when my sincerest
+desire was to carry my father's forgiveness with me into exile? Show
+me these accursed bills, and I will prove my innocence."
+
+"They are in the General's possession; I cannot get at them to show
+you them."
+
+"If we had them here, I would soon prove to you that it is impossible
+for me, with my wretched handwriting, to imitate the fine and regular
+hand 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 filling
+with tears. "My father has been accustomed to spend his leave in
+fashionable watering-places; is it not possible for him there to have
+made the acquaintance of some wretch wicked enough to serve him such
+a turn?"
+
+"For the last few years the General has not been from home, except
+one winter which he spent in Arnheim."
+
+"Can Rolf have done it?"
+
+"No, don't suspect Rolf; he never had any education, but he's the
+honestest man living, and he would pluck out an eye rather than cause
+the old General any trouble."
+
+"Then I don't know whom to suspect. Now take these notes, Francis--they
+are real, I assure you; take them as a proof you still believe
+my word."
+
+"I believe you, Rudolf; but I think you have more need of them than
+I have."
+
+"Never mind me; I have a good position now: first rider in the Great
+Equestrian Circus of Mr. Stonehouse, of Baltimore, with a salary
+of two hundred dollars a month--is it not splendid? You see I have
+not 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 demands
+courage and address. But I will not accept your money; I never take
+back what I have given. To-morrow morning we shall see each other
+again. 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 the
+bottle, 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 making
+Francis a subject of conversation with such a fellow.
+
+"Do you imagine I have no eyes? I know the women, I can assure you. I
+have come across all sorts, and all sizes and colours, in my vagabond
+life; 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 used
+to say of herself. I don't know what you intend to do, but it appears
+to me you have only to propose--
+
+
+                'Et bientot on verra l'infante
+                Au bras de son heureux vainqueur.'
+
+
+She is smitten by you, that's certain! Why, she's like a thoroughbred
+horse. With much patience, much attention, and a firm hand that knows
+when to be gentle, so one succeeds. As for myself, I was always too
+rash, too impatient. These gracious devils soon perceive it, and once
+they know it, you are thrown--there's no help for you. After all,
+perhaps I am mistaken," he said, seeing I remained silent; "otherwise
+I 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, I
+acknowledge, yet not more than my own fortune which came to me from
+my mother, as the eldest and only son. John Mordaunt could tell us
+something if he were alive. He got his wife's fortune when they were
+married, and Francis ought to have had something when she came of
+age; 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 to
+the Werve with my tutor, for I had begun to understand and to make
+observations. After the death of my sister I was never invited to
+the house of John Mordaunt. But perhaps it will not interest you to
+listen 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 Breda
+because he was prejudiced against it. He insisted upon my studying
+law at Leyden: this, he said, would lead to a fortune. Ah, I have
+found a fortune!" he repeated, with a bitter laugh. "Since I was
+sent to study for my father's pleasure, I thought it only right
+to seek my own; and, as he made me a fair allowance, I was soon
+noted as the wildest and most extravagant of students. I kept my
+horses and a Tilbury, and ran up enormous bills. Still I attended
+those lectures which interested me, and I had just put on a 'coach'
+for the final examinations, when my father lost a lawsuit against my
+Aunt Roselaer. The supplies were stopped, and I left college without
+having passed my examination as Master in the Law. My father's
+interests obtained for me a place in the financial world, but with
+the condition I should marry a rich heiress. The misfortune was, the
+heiress in question was of an over-ripe age, with a nose too red for
+my taste, and I neglected her. My father grew furious, and declared
+he would discard me. Moreover, I could not settle down to the regular
+routine of a counting-house for several hours a day, and sometimes
+extra work in the evening after dinner. I found in the office an
+old clerk, a regular old stager, who had sat on the same stool at
+the same desk for twenty years without a chance of promotion. This
+is 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 clerk
+started 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 swallowed
+up by this affair and a lawsuit arising out of it. What could I do
+now? I had a good voice, and I proposed to go to some music academy
+abroad, and return as an opera singer. My father would not consent
+to this, and told me the best thing I could do was to enlist in the
+ranks as a common soldier. I caught at this idea in the hope of
+being promoted to the position of an officer at no distant date;
+but I had never been habituated to discipline. I was sent to a
+small fortress on the frontiers; Rolf was my lieutenant, and he
+did 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. One
+fine morning I walked off altogether. I was caught, and I wounded an
+under-officer in self-defence; the charge against me was as clear as
+the light of day. But I succeeded in breaking out of prison. I own I
+was not very strictly guarded, and Francis, as I afterwards learnt,
+had done her utmost to facilitate my escape. Again I was free as
+the air; but I must live. I tried everything. I gave lessons in
+French and in Latin to little German boys, and I taught the little
+Fraeuleins music and singing; I was even appointed private singer to an
+Austrian princess, who was deaf, and imagined that my voice resembled
+Roger's. I wandered about with a travelling opera company, and sang
+myself hoarse in the open air. I have been coachman to a baron, and
+travelled for a house in the wine trade, but when they wanted to send
+me to Holland I had to give up the post. Afterwards I was waiter at
+an inn, billiard-marker, valet to the secretary of a Polish count,
+who, appreciating my ability at the noble game of billiards, took
+me to Warsaw, and hastened to initiate me into his plans for the
+'Independence of Poland.' As a matter of course, his enterprise was
+unsuccessful; but he got sent to Siberia, and I myself was kept in
+prison for some weeks because I refused to give evidence against
+him. Again I found myself thrown on the wide world without a penny
+in my pocket. But I will not weary you with a recital of all I have
+done and suffered. Perhaps the best thing, and the simplest, for me to
+have done, would have been to plunge into the Rhine and stay at the
+bottom; but I have always had a repugnance to suicide, and, besides,
+I have always been blest with a fund of good spirits and health. I
+now made a tour of the German watering-places from north to south,
+getting along as best I could, and changing my name very often. Once
+I was imprisoned with a Moldavian prince accused of murder, but I was
+let go, as I could prove my connection with the prince was posterior
+to 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 had
+succeeded in America, and I decided to try my luck there; but I must
+have money. I flattered myself that after ten years my father would
+consent to do something for me. I wrote to Francis. The answer was not
+encouraging. My father threatened, if I dared to cross the frontier,
+he would hand me over to a court-martial. I thought Francis said this
+only to frighten me. I came to Zutphen, well disguised, and there I was
+convinced she had told me the truth. Francis, poor soul, was the only
+person who took pity on me, and you know already what it cost her. And
+when I think she could believe me to be guilty of forgery! Oh, the fact
+is 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 by
+passions. I am not 'passion's slave.' Wine, play, and pleasant company
+have run away with my money, and in some respects I am no more than
+a great baby; but a real passion, a tyrannical passion, capable of
+making me a great man or a great malefactor, such a passion I have
+never known. Some one in our family, on the contrary, has been ruled
+by such a passion; and many things I observed in my boyhood without
+thinking much about them. But you are a discreet man, otherwise
+Francis 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 had
+the honour to be croupier in a gaming-house. There, unrecognized by my
+unfortunate father, I have seen him play with a violence of passion
+of which you can form no idea; and, believe me, in spite of all my
+faults, it is in that way both his own and Francis's fortune have
+been lost. I would have thrown myself at his feet, and besought him
+not to precipitate himself deeper into this abyss; but my position
+prevented me. Still, I watched him without his knowing it, and I soon
+found out for a certainty that he borrowed money of a Dutch banker,
+to whom he gave bills on Francis's property;--and, you see, rather
+than 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 already
+sullied. I only desire to clear myself in Francis's opinion. But to
+conclude my history: I was not more lucky in the New World than I had
+been in Europe; I was shipwrecked and lost my all before I could land
+at New York. I then went to the far West without meeting with anything
+which promised me a future; in short, I felt quite happy when I made
+the acquaintance of Mr. Stonehouse, who engaged me to accompany his
+circus to Europe. And so it has come about that I once more tread
+my native earth under the protection of the American flag. Once so
+near the Werve, I was seized with an irresistible desire to see the
+old place again. My satisfaction and reception have not been very
+flattering, as you have witnessed; but I will keep my promise to
+Francis, cost me what it may. And now good night."
+
+Without awaiting my answer he threw himself at full length on the
+sofa, and soon gave me auricular evidence that he was enjoying the
+profoundest slumber. I had nothing better to do than follow his
+example. 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 surmises
+were right, and that the father had defamed his own son to escape
+the remonstrances of a granddaughter.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+
+When I began to reflect on the coming day, I remembered that it
+would be necessary for me to congratulate my uncle on his birthday;
+and I felt it would require a stretch of the forms of politeness to
+do this in a becoming manner. It occurred to me now that if Francis
+could only see through that little glass window in my breast, she
+would have the best of the argument in future on the subject of the
+conventionalities of society; for I confess to you, dear William,
+I had become a convert to Aunt Sophia's opinions with regard to this
+same General von Zwenken, and now I admired her prudence in preventing
+her 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 manor
+imposed upon him; and one which he performed as he would have done
+any other duty laid down by the military code. The clergyman was old,
+monotonous, and wearisome. The greater part of the congregation went
+to sleep under the effects of his sermon. Francis took up a Bible
+and pretended to read, whilst it seemed to me the wakeful part of the
+congregation paid more attention to us than to their minister; and the
+remarks they whispered about one to another struck me as not being
+very favourable to us. The General alone kept his eyes fixed on the
+preacher throughout the sermon; but whether his mind was so intently
+occupied with the subject matter, I will not take upon myself to say.
+
+On our return the fete commenced. The village schoolmaster brought
+up his scholars, who recited a string of verses glorifying the Baron
+as patron of the school, though I doubt whether he had ever entered
+it. And I believe the same verses had done duty for several generations
+on similar occasions, when the owners of the Werve admitted the master
+and his scholars to an audience.
+
+Then came the Pauwelsens from the farm, who still address the
+General as their landlord; after them some of the villagers. All
+these people were regaled with cake and chocolate. The burgomaster
+[5] called in his turn; he was a regular rustic, and paid a good deal
+more attention to me than to the General. He evidently saw in me a
+mystery which excited his curiosity.
+
+Captain Willibald also put in an appearance, and after congratulating
+my 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. Here
+in 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 an
+occasion; but I will take care to make up for this omission of mine
+very soon."
+
+Uncle rejoined in a whisper--
+
+"The one thing I should like you to do is to reconcile yourself with
+your uncle, the Minister for Foreign Affairs."
+
+Happily it was not necessary for me to reply to this remark. Francis
+entered the room, and quite charmed me by her manner. She was cordial
+to all the visitors--I thought I had never seen a better hostess. I
+saw how amiable she could be when quite at her ease, and not beset by
+fears of what envious tongues might say as soon as her back was turned.
+
+The dinner was beautifully arranged. The Captain had put on his
+full-dress uniform, the General his also, and I had given some extra
+attention to my toilette. Francis was dressed plainly as usual,
+without much regard for the day or the visitors; and yet there was
+something original in her style of dress, an elegance which seemed to
+heighten her beauty considerably. I was struck by the richness and
+weight of the silver, all engraved with the family coat-of-arms. I
+felt sure that the Captain and Francis had put their money together
+to get it from the pawnbrokers for the occasion. At table she took
+her place between the clergyman and myself. The village lawyer, the
+postmaster, and some rough-looking country farmers, together with
+the churchwardens and several members of the local board, had been
+invited to the dinner. Rolf took his place in the midst of them, and
+soon loosened their tongues by pointing out the various sorts of wine,
+and filling up their glasses with no sparing hand. Even the clergyman
+I found to be much more entertaining at table than in the pulpit,
+and the conversation never flagged. Fritz, assisted for the nonce by
+one of the sons of farmer Pauwelsen, had donned a livery which I felt
+pretty certain was the uniform of an officer metamorphosed. He was
+more attentive, and more particular than ever in his manner of serving
+every one; it seemed to me as if he had something on his mind, he was
+so solemn and serious. In spite of myself I could not help thinking
+of the utter ruin this once opulent house had fallen into, and of the
+unhappy son banished from his father's table. As for the General, I had
+never yet seen him in such good spirits. The table so well served, the
+appetizing dishes, and the wines which he had such a delicate manner
+of tasting--all this just suited his epicurean habits. Afterwards
+we drank coffee in the garden, and Rolf insisted upon our drinking
+a bowl of May wine; for he was most anxious to display his skill in
+the composition of this very famous German beverage.
+
+This completed the entertainment, for the country people are accustomed
+to retire early; and the evening was still young when a great lumbering
+coach drew up before the hall door, to convey the visitors back to
+the 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 to
+the Pauwelsens with some of the dainties for the old bed-ridden
+grandmother. And her first care on her return was to inquire the
+whereabouts 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. But
+you are sure that he is gone?"
+
+"Certainly, before I was awake; but he left his pocket-book on the
+table. I will take it to him to-morrow."
+
+"Don't do anything of the sort, I am sure he will come back; this
+thought has pursued me like my shadow all this day. But tell me what
+you thought of my dinner."
+
+"You were a charming hostess, Francis. How I should like to see you
+mistress of a well-furnished house of your own!"
+
+"And one in which it would not be necessary to take the silver out
+of 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 please
+my old grandfather, upon whom I can be severe enough at times about
+his weaknesses. Rolf, who in spite of his faults is the best-natured
+fellow in the world, went to the town of----, and we polished it up
+ourselves. We would not let Fritz into the secret."
+
+"And to me, Francis, to whom you owe nothing, you have given much
+pleasure, by surprising me with this little Russian leather case----"
+
+"Don't mention such a trifle. I only wished to mark the day on which
+you became my friend."
+
+"Yes, indeed, your friend for life," I answered, gently drawing her arm
+within mine. This word had given me courage, it rendered me bold. "I
+thank you for that word, Francis; but it is not yet enough. Let me
+be 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 destroy
+this relationship which is dear to me, by striving after the
+impossible. Promise me seriously, Leopold, you will not mention this
+subject to me again, or use any such language to me."
+
+This answer seemed very like a formal refusal, and yet I remarked an
+emotion in her voice which to a certain extent reassured me.
+
+"And why should it be impossible, Francis?" I resumed, mustering up
+all my courage.
+
+This time I got no answer; she uttered a shriek and rushed off to the
+summer-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 appearance
+motionless. 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 as
+a corpse. The trellis work alone had prevented his falling to the
+ground. His face had turned a little blue, his eyes were fixed and
+wide open, and his features distorted. Francis rubbed his temples with
+the 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 himself
+in 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 I
+explained 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 the
+only 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 little
+capable 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 him
+to his room; Leopold will give us a hand."
+
+"That's not necessary--he is my father, and it is my place to carry
+him."
+
+In an instant he took up the old man with so much gentleness, and yet
+with such firmness of muscle, that you would have thought he carried
+a babe. He refused my assistance even up the staircase. He laid the
+old Baron on his bed, with his eyes still fixed, and quite unconscious.
+
+"Thank God! there he is safe," said Rudolf, falling into a chair. "I
+have had many a hard piece of work in my life, but never one in which
+my heart was so deeply concerned. May I stay here until he regains
+consciousness?" 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 like
+a chicken's."
+
+It occurred to me that the more simple and prudent plan would be for
+me to go and make the Captain acquainted with what had happened, and
+obtain his promise to keep silent and to pretend not to know anything
+about Rudolf's presence. He was enjoying his after-dinner nap when I
+found him, and I was afraid he would have an attack of apoplexy when
+I told him about the coming of Rudolf. His anger seemed to make him
+forget the gravity of the General's position. I endeavoured to make
+him understand that the accident might possibly be attributed to a
+fit of cold, caused by drinking May wine in the cool of the evening so
+shortly after the copious dinner of which the General had partaken; but
+he 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 have
+him forthwith arrested as a deserter.
+
+It was only with the greatest difficulty that I could get this fixed
+idea out of his head. I succeeded, however, at length in proving to
+him that the duty which he owed to humanity far surpassed all others at
+present; that it would be an unheard-of cruelty to arrest the son now
+at the bedside of a father, dying, for all we knew; that even Francis
+herself had consented to his staying, and that we were in duty bound
+to cast a veil over the family secrets. Finally the inborn good-nature
+of Rolf triumphed, and we went together to the General's room.
+
+The doctor had just arrived. He considered the case serious, and said
+it would be necessary to bleed the patient. Fritz and Rolf were left
+to aid the doctor and undress the invalid. Meantime I led Francis
+into a cabinet where Rudolf had taken refuge and was breathlessly
+awaiting the doctor's verdict.
+
+As we had left the door ajar we heard the patient recover
+consciousness, and call for Francis in a strangely altered voice,
+and address questions to her in a frightened tone; which questions
+the doctor, not understanding, put down to delirium, though they
+made 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 to
+brain fever," said the doctor on leaving.
+
+"Would you like to see the person you referred to just now?" I asked
+the 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. Rudolf
+had understood.
+
+Rolf and Francis undertook the duty of watching at the bedside of
+the patient during the night; and I led Rudolf to my room--I may say
+supported him, for the strong man reeled. He threw himself on the
+sofa and wept like a child.
+
+"It is finished," he said. "I could not, after all, have expected
+anything else, and I have my deserts."
+
+"Francis was in the right, you see; you ought not to have broken
+your promise."
+
+"It is not my fault I broke it. Fritz caught me this morning just as I
+was scaling the garden wall, and I was obliged to make myself known to
+him, otherwise he would have given me in charge as a housebreaker. He
+then offered to hide me in an unoccupied room on the ground floor until
+to-night. Thence, unseen, I could watch the movements of my father;
+and when his guests were gone, I saw him walking alone towards the
+summer-house, where he sat down, and, as I thought, he had fallen
+asleep. Then it was I ventured out of my hiding-place and approached
+him. It appears, however, he must both have seen me and recognized
+me. But now I have said enough, and this time I will go away for
+good. God bless him! May the Almighty strengthen dear Francis."
+
+I persuaded him to spend this night with me, and try to get a little
+rest. From time to time I went to make inquiries about the General,
+and towards morning I was able to inform Rudolf that his father had
+passed a fair night and was now sleeping calmly; he could therefore
+leave with his mind more at ease. I accompanied him a part of the way
+outside the grounds, and promised to keep him informed of the state
+of his father's health. He gave me his address, as I was to write
+to him under the name of Richard Smithson, and he then parted from
+me with the most passionate expressions of gratitude for the little
+kindnesses I had been able to show him.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+
+The General escaped for this time, but his recovery was slow. He was
+weak, and both his arms and legs seemed as if they were paralyzed. I
+allowed 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 two
+had to be constantly at the side of the convalescent, for Rolf had
+better intentions than judgment. He let the General have just what
+he asked for, and would soon have brought on a relapse if we had not
+watched them both. Francis was very thankful to have me with her; and
+yet she could not be satisfied that it was possible for me to spare
+so much time from all my business. She little suspected that my most
+pressing and agreeable occupation was to remain at her side and win
+her affections. Her devotion to her grandfather was sublime; she forgot
+all the wrongs he had done her, and only reproached herself for having
+caused him pain by her plain speaking. Notwithstanding, as the old
+man gradually grew better, she was soon again convinced that a certain
+amount of firmness was absolutely necessary to manage him. During his
+illness he had requested me, in his first lucid moments, to receive
+and open all his letters. And in this way I became aware that he
+was engaged in "risky" speculations, and that he was making debts
+unknown to Francis. When he was well enough to talk on such a subject,
+I ventured to remonstrate with him, and to point out the consequences
+of persisting in such a course, both for himself and for Francis. He
+promised me he would give up all such speculations, and excused the
+past on the grounds that he wished to leave Francis something when he
+died. I was to make the best conditions I could for him in the sale
+of 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, had
+lost all patience. And I was not yet sure of Francis. Weakness on my
+part, you will say; but no, it was delicacy--it was the fear of having
+to cut short my stay. I was afraid of the obstinacy of Francis--that
+she would not consent to a marriage even though I might have won
+her heart. I was constantly calling to mind that terrible sentence
+she had uttered in the garden: "You will not use such language to me
+again." I shuddered at the very idea that a new attempt on my part
+might draw from her lips a definite and decided No.
+
+The old General had discovered my intentions--of that I was
+convinced. He was continually insisting upon a reconciliation with my
+uncle the minister, and that I should prepare Francis for the sale of
+the Werve. On this latter point, I assured him Francis would listen to
+reason, and, armed with his power of attorney, I went over to Zutphen
+to arrange the preliminaries with Overberg. Van Beek was growing
+less and less manageable; he had sent in reams of stamped paper to
+Overberg, and the interest on several of the mortgages was six months
+over due; in fact the situation of affairs had become desperate. I
+charged Overberg to write to Van Beek that the Werve would be sold,
+in all probability, at the same time as my marriage with Francis took
+place; and I thought this would be enough to keep the lawyers quiet
+for a few days longer. I brought back some little presents for the
+General and Rolf, who were both highly pleased; and a plain set of
+earrings and a brooch for Francis, as the time had not yet arrived
+when I could offer her the diamonds I intended for my bride.
+
+On my return, to my great surprise, I found Francis sadder and more
+anxious than I had left her in the morning. She accepted my present,
+but seemed to be little interested in it. She retired early, and I
+followed her example, as I did not find Rolf's company particularly
+interesting. Most of the night I spent in reflection and conjectures as
+to this change in Francis; for I had observed tears in her eyes when
+she bade me good-night. Once more I made up my mind that the coming
+day should put an end to all my doubts. At breakfast, Francis, less
+depressed than the night before, told us she had received a letter
+from Dr. D., of Utrecht, who gave her very encouraging news of the
+invalid in whom she was so much interested. I wished to propose to
+her 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 met
+Francis in the hall, arrayed in her riding-habit. This time she had
+put on an elegant hat and blue veil, and was waiting for her beautiful
+horse 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, with
+a certain tone of impatience in my voice that could not escape her.
+
+She looked at me in surprise and silence as she played with her
+riding-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 we
+have had to take a long walk since your grandfather fell ill. Don't
+refuse 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 to
+smile. "Well, you shall have your way," and she threw aside her
+riding-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 time
+than I could have imagined my cousin reappeared in a very neat
+walking-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 round
+point, and rest there on the rustic bench which you perhaps remember."
+
+And so we walked through the great lane towards the wood, silent, just
+because 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. She
+herself seemed to have a thousand other things to talk about beside
+the one I wished to come to. At length I tried to change the subject
+by saying it would be necessary for me to fix a day for my return to
+the 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 suitable
+answer 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 would
+have 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: you
+have 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 have
+spoilt me, and I shall feel my loneliness doubled when you are gone."
+
+"Not for long, though, for I will come back soon--with--with a
+trousseau!"
+
+"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 that
+your cousin Mordaunt has no intentions of ever marrying."
+
+"Listen to me, Francis! When we first met on the heath, and you told
+me your intentions on this point, I had no reasons for trying to
+dissuade you from them; but to-day, as you yourself know, the case is
+different. You will recollect the freedom with which I have pointed
+out to you any defects which I considered a blemish on your noble
+character. Do you think I should have taken such a liberty if I had
+not conceived the idea, fostered the hope, of your one day consenting
+to become--my wife?"
+
+The word, the all-important word, was at last said.
+
+"Well, indeed, Leo," she began with a profound sigh, "since you
+force 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 not
+altogether indifferent to you?"
+
+She turned aside her face in silence, but I was sure I heard something
+like a suppressed sigh.
+
+"Is it possible you are not disengaged?" I inquired, taking her
+hand gently and placing myself before her so that I could look into
+her eyes.
+
+"Disengaged! Certainly I am disengaged," she answered bitterly. "I
+have done my best to remain so; and I have all along told you I must
+be independent. It is necessary."
+
+"Ah, I comprehend, Francis!" I exclaimed, carried away by an absurd
+jealousy; "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. Could
+I 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 you
+throw yourself into this abyss of misfortunes and miseries, in which I
+am 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 with
+you, and help you to bear them. We will overcome them together--be
+assured of that, my adored----"
+
+Passion was getting the mastery over me; I caught her in my arms and
+pressed her to my breast. She made no resistance, but, as if wearied
+with the struggle, she rested her head on my shoulder--her head so
+charming in its luxuriancy of golden curls. Her eyes were closed and
+her 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 not
+surprising she neglects the little boy."
+
+Such were the words we heard close to us, uttered by a hoarse voice
+and 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 if
+thunder-struck.
+
+The person who had spoken these offensive words, and who had doubtless
+been watching our movements for some time, was an old peasant woman
+bearing a strong resemblance to the witches in Macbeth. Her sharp
+black eyes, bare skinny arms, as red and dry as a boiled crab, her face
+wrinkled and tanned, her blue checked handkerchief tied over her white
+cap, and the stick on which she supported herself, all contributed to
+call up before my mind one of those creatures our ancestors would have
+burned alive. I confess I wished her such a fate when she advanced
+towards Francis and said, with her ingrained impertinence--
+
+"Now, miss--now I see what you have been so busy about the last five
+weeks, 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 young
+gent there, that's another thing, eh? I tell you all the village is
+talking 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 firm
+tone: "neither you nor the village have any right to interfere with
+my 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 on
+account of a week's delay in payment, either at your hands or your
+daughter's, I will take him away from you. To-morrow, or the day
+after, I shall come to see him myself, and I shall make inquiries of
+the neighbours."
+
+"What! You would disgrace me and my daughter by taking him away? You
+try 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 tried
+to make money out of your daughter's misfortune."
+
+"And he must have shoes and socks, or else he will have to run about
+bare-legged in clogs like a peasant's child."
+
+"I will provide them, Mrs. Jool; and now I have heard enough. This
+is the path which leads to the village."
+
+"What a hurry you're in!"
+
+"These are private grounds; do you understand that? Now take yourself
+off, 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 policeman
+for her." And so she limped off along the path indicated, mumbling
+all the way.
+
+Francis then turned to me and said--
+
+"Well, Leopold, this incident will serve to enlighten you; behold a
+power opposed to my freedom and happiness."
+
+"I understand," I answered, trying to assume a calmness I did not
+possess; "I understand, Francis--you are too honest to bind any man
+to you for life, saddled as you are with such a burden. But why did
+you not confide this terrible secret to me sooner? I will attempt
+the impossible to save you!"
+
+"But, Leopold, what are you thinking of?" she responded, quite red
+with emotion; "you surely do not suspect me of anything unworthy? You
+comprehend that my honour is not herein concerned, though I must
+suffer for the deplorable consequences of the fault I committed."
+
+"I am listening, Francis; but, excuse me, I do not rightly understand
+you. Is this not a question of a child which you are obliged to
+maintain?"
+
+"Yes, certainly; and that's not the heaviest part of the burden. I
+have 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 light
+charge for me, in my position, to bring up a child, and provide for
+its mother whom I have sent to a private asylum?"
+
+I thanked Heaven from the bottom of my heart that she, in her
+innocency, did not suspect the conclusions I had drawn from the words
+and manner of the old witch.
+
+"This is the fatal consequence of my rash obstinacy with poor Harry
+Blount," she continued. "You have heard me speak of the accident
+before. He was carried in a dying state into the cottage of this
+Mrs. Jool and her daughter. In my despair, I repeated several times:
+'It is my fault; I have killed him, I have killed him.' The daughter
+knelt beside Blount in the wildest agony; and Harry could just murmur,
+'My wife, my poor wife; have pity on her, Miss Francis!' I did not
+know until this moment that they were secretly married. I promised
+solemnly I would care for her, and even if I had made no promise I
+should 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 a
+good match. After the funeral, she made such good use of my words
+uttered 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, as
+to the measures we ought to take to contradict and put a stop to
+such slanderous charges. This, of course, did not relieve me of my
+obligations towards the daughter, in whom, very soon after the birth of
+her child, symptoms of insanity manifested themselves. The child had to
+be taken from her, and it was given in care to a sister of hers in the
+neighbouring village, who had just lost her youngest born. Perhaps you
+would imagine she took it out of sisterly charity; but no, she insisted
+upon my paying her monthly wages as I should have to do any other wet
+nurse. Besides, I had to do what I could for the poor mother. It was
+most fortunate for me that on the occasion of my visit to Utrecht
+I met with Aunt Roselaer, otherwise I could not have afforded the
+expense the mother has cost under the care of Dr. D. Mrs. Jool,
+not caring to live alone, went to the house of her married daughter
+under 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 long
+been weaned, and ought not to be left in their charge. I am always
+threatening 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 false
+charges such a change would give rise to. The mother and child are
+now costing me the greater part of my income. My grandfather finds
+fault with me about it, for he regards it as so much money thrown
+away. Now, Leopold, do you think I could draw a man I really loved
+into such a maelstrom as this?"
+
+"The man worthy to possess you, Francis, will not be drawn in, but
+will 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 way
+to treat such people as Mrs. Jool. The child must be taken away from
+her and brought up by respectable farmers; perhaps the Pauwelsens
+would 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 us
+to-day."
+
+"When she sees us together to-morrow she will understand that it is
+useless playing the spy on us any longer."
+
+"But then she will make us the talk of the country-side. You don't
+know the wickedness that woman's capable of."
+
+"Well, what can she say more than that we are an engaged couple? And
+is this not true, Francis?" I said, gently taking her hand in mine.
+
+"You come back to the subject again, even now you know all," she
+murmured; "but you have not calculated all the troubles and burdens
+which would fall upon you: Rolf, whom we could not send away from
+the Werve; my grandfather with his large wants--and small income. Oh
+yes, I know you are going back to the Hague to reconcile yourself
+with 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 you
+have yourself said it would demean you."
+
+"Reassure yourself on that point, Francis; I may forgive my uncle
+and seek to be reconciled to him, as my religion bids me; but never
+for the sake of his favours. But why so many difficulties? Don't you
+see I love you, Francis; that during the last few days I have been at
+some pains to suppress my feelings, and have therein succeeded better
+than I gave myself credit for; that, now I have told you all, we must
+either part for ever, or I must have the assurance you will accept
+me as your husband? I desire it, Francis; I desire it with a firmness
+of will that despises all objections and will remove all difficulties."
+
+"Leopold," she replied, "don't talk to me like this. No one ever spoke
+to me as you have done--you make me beside myself. And yet I ought to
+resist. 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!" This
+was my only answer.
+
+"You persist? Can it be? May I still be happy!"
+
+"Enough, Francis; you are mine! I will never forsake you; you are
+mine for life!"
+
+"For life!" she repeated after me, becoming so pale that I was afraid
+she 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," she
+whispered 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 true
+we were not hungry. We returned to the house slowly, and almost
+in silence, and we even slackened our pace as we drew nearer the
+Castle. 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 soon
+as I enter yonder. I cannot yet separate myself from my happiness. Oh,
+Leopold! I wish we could fly away together, that no one might interpose
+between us two."
+
+"We will fly away, dearest; but first we must go through certain
+formalities which will give us the right to appear in the world as
+man and wife, and lift up our heads with the best of them."
+
+"And then will follow the breakfast, the visits, and the
+congratulations of mean and false people, who come with a hypocritical
+smile to wish us joy, whilst behind our backs they will make a mock
+of the man who has dared to marry Major Frank!"
+
+"Oh, what a supposition!" I replied; "you must pay for that," kissing
+her sad face into cheerfulness.
+
+"I don't understand," she continued, "how people can treat so serious
+a subject as marriage with such lightness. The woman especially
+makes an immense sacrifice--her name, her will, her individual self;
+a sacrifice which I always considered it would be impossible for me
+to make, until I met you."
+
+"And now?" I asked, kneeling before her on the moss, the better to see
+into her beautiful eyes, which sparkled with happiness and tenderness.
+
+"Now I have no longer so many objections," she replied with her
+sweetest smile. "But do not remain in that position before me,
+Leopold. It is only acting a lie, for I foresee you will be my lord
+and master. But let us now go in, my dear, otherwise they will be
+alarmed about us at the Castle. They won't know what to think of our
+long 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 had
+been sent out in search of us, as the General, though in a good
+humour, was most impatient to speak to us. When we entered his room
+he was arranging his papers, and did not give us time to announce
+our engagement, as we intended.
+
+"Francis," he cried, "why did you stay out so long when I have such
+good news to tell you?"
+
+"That's just what I have to tell you, grandfather; but what can have
+pleased you so much? You have not been made heir to Aunt Roselaer's
+property, have you?"
+
+"It comes almost to the same thing, my child. Know then that the heir
+to Aunt Roselaer's property asks your hand in marriage. It is one of
+the 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 too
+great a hurry to inform the old Baron of the real state of affairs. I
+had 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 comes
+too 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 heir
+to Aunt Roselaer's property and your cousin Leopold van Zonshoven are
+one and the same person; and on the condition that you should marry
+the 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 difference
+for you," I continued, "is this: you thought you were giving your
+heart 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 disagreeable
+to you?"
+
+"Not a disagreeable surprise to me"--she almost shrieked, with
+scintillating eyes and flushed cheeks--"to find you have put on a mask
+to deceive me! Have you not succeeded in inspiring me with esteem for
+you by your proud and dignified behaviour, and the elevated sentiments
+you professed? And do you think I can be happy to find that all this
+was but a comedy? Could a gentleman have treated me so? But you have
+deceived yourself, Jonker van Zonshoven. I gave my heart to a young
+man without fortune, whose upright and noble character I admired, and
+in 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 on
+a disguise to win the heart of the woman he was ordered to marry, for
+this hypocrite, this pretended sage, I have nothing but--my contempt!"
+
+"Be careful, Francis; I know your violent temper often causes you
+to say that which in cooler moments you regret; but don't insult in
+such a manner the man you have just accepted as your husband--a man
+whom no one ever dared to address in such language, neither will he
+meekly 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 here
+like a spy, and carried on your mean and degrading speculations up to
+the very moment when you thought it impossible for me to retract my
+word? Once more, sir, I tell you, you are mistaken in my character. I
+will never pardon a man who has abused my confidence!"
+
+"I have not abused your confidence, Francis," I answered, in as
+calm and gentle a tone as I could; "I have only been studying your
+character, and trying to gain your affections, before I would venture
+an avowal of my sentiments--that is all I have done."
+
+"You have been false, I tell you. How can I any longer believe in your
+love? 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 not
+as you now appear in my eyes. I will not be disposed of in marriage
+by any person dead or alive; and as for you, I refuse your offer. Do
+you 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 my
+legs trembling under me. Rolf, tender-hearted as ever, had withdrawn
+to a corner of the room with tears in his eyes. The General, with
+agony 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 in
+this way. Reflect that the Castle is mortgaged to the last stone, and
+that the last six months' interest is not yet paid. If sold to-morrow
+it will not fetch a third of the amount for which I have mortgaged
+it, and it is only by the generosity of Jonker Leopold that the sale
+can any longer be delayed. He has offered to take it off my hands,
+together with all the mortgages with which it is burdened, and to
+allow me a yearly income which will make me comfortable for life; but
+you must marry him, otherwise all our plans come to nought. Understand
+that, and don't insult a man who has such generous intentions towards
+us. He is still willing to forgive you, if you don't persevere in
+your senseless refusal, I am sure; for I have for some time already
+been 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 its
+provisions 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 in
+marriage by anybody's testamentary disposition; that she will neither
+sell herself for one million nor for two millions, and that she has
+decidedly refused Jonker van Zonshoven's offer of marriage."
+
+Feeling confident Francis would do me justice when more calm and
+resigned, but feeling also the necessity of not giving way to violence
+in dealing with a character such as hers, I said--
+
+"I who have your promise and will not release you from it, I request
+the General to write to Overberg that Miss Mordaunt has accepted my
+offer, and that the transfer of the Castle de Werve can forthwith
+be concluded."
+
+"If I will consent to the sale," interposed Francis, still pale
+and unmoved.
+
+"I beg your pardon, Miss Mordaunt," I rejoined, "your grandfather is
+the sole owner of the Castle; and during his life the will by which
+it is bequeathed to you has no force nor value."
+
+"Ah! if she could only be brought to see all the circumstances in
+their true light," sighed Von Zwenken.
+
+"Well, uncle, you write what I have requested you to write; you know
+only too well the consequences of any other decision."
+
+"He wants you to write lies!" cried Francis, exasperatingly; "he'll
+stick to his million, that's clear."
+
+"Francis," said the General, with the tone of a supplicant, "if you
+knew 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 you
+will simply take the hand he holds out to you. Remember he can force
+us 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 us
+out 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, becoming
+furious, and advancing towards me--"you, Leopold," she added, with
+an accent of real pain.
+
+"Yes, Francis," I answered, resolved to follow up my advantage, "you
+shall submit to the constraint of your own conscience, which must
+tell you that you owe me an apology. I am going away. Farewell. Try
+to reflect on this in your calmer moments. You have touched me to
+the quick; you have wounded my feelings of honour and my heart. Do
+not let me wait too long, or the wound will become incurable."
+
+I gave her a last look of gentle reproach, but her glassy eyes seemed
+insensible 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. Within
+an hour she will regret what she has said, I am sure; the storm was
+too violent to last long."
+
+But my mind was made up. I packed up my luggage, slowly, I must
+confess, and always listening for a well-known step and a knock, which
+should announce Francis repentant and seeking a reconciliation. But
+she did not come.
+
+I was miserable beyond all expression. It was like being shipwrecked
+in the harbour after a long voyage. To think this was the same woman
+at whose feet I had kneeled an hour ago, and whose hand I had kissed
+in a delirium of pleasure. And now she had turned upon me like a fury
+and declined my offer with contempt! I reflected that I ought to have
+acted more frankly and straightforwardly with her. For a moment the
+idea occurred to me to renounce all my rights as to Aunt Sophia's
+property; but, after all, what good end could it serve--it would
+only reduce us both to poverty. I promised myself that, once arrived
+at Zutphen, I would send her in writing a complete statement of how
+affairs 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 large
+a 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 Werve
+for orders. I flattered myself I should speedily receive an answer,
+and all the following day I passed in a feverish excitement, only
+increased in the evening when no answer came. During the night I never
+slept a moment. Another day passed, and still no answer; and now I gave
+myself up to the most complete despair. There was nothing for me to do
+but settle my affairs in all haste at Zutphen and return to the Hague.
+
+I kept Overberg in the dark about my rupture with Francis, only
+telling him pressing business called me back to the Hague. I signed
+all the papers he put before me, and told him I would return as soon
+as possible. The fact was I felt seriously unwell, and, as you know,
+home is the best place under such circumstances; I thought I could
+there immerse myself in my favourite studies, but I only remember
+feeling an unbearable weight of oppression come over me.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+
+Instead of regaining my usual calm in my own "sweet home," I fell
+seriously ill the first night after my return. I was attacked by a
+nervous fever, and remained for several days insensible. My landlady
+now proved herself a faithful and attentive nurse, and she tells me
+that my life was almost despaired of for some days. I am convalescent
+at 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 my
+table during my illness, I found a card from my uncle the minister, who
+had called to make inquiries about me. My worthy uncle had heard the
+report that I was a millionaire. I also found quite a heap of letters
+from Overberg and Van Beek, which I had not the courage to read; one,
+however, marked "Important," I broke open. It announced the death of
+my uncle Von Zwenken, and I was invited to the funeral. The date told
+me that the letter was three weeks old! What had become of Francis?
+
+Doubtless she was still ill-disposed towards me. She seemed to be
+unaware of my illness, since she had invited me to the funeral of her
+grandfather. What must she have thought of my silence? Not a single
+word of comfort or encouragement from me. What annoyances she might
+already have suffered from the lawyers. I was expecting my doctor
+every moment, and I had determined to ask his permission to start
+immediately for Zutphen, when I heard some one coming up the stairs,
+whom my landlady was endeavouring to call back, she being very strict
+about my being kept quiet. But, in spite of all her efforts, Rolf
+burst into the room--Rolf, whom I had ended by loving almost as much
+as I detested him the first few days of our acquaintance.
+
+"My General is dead," he said, with tears in his eyes--"died in my
+arms. Francis is gone----"
+
+"She is not ill, however?" I interrupted quickly.
+
+"Not in the least, she is in excellent health; but--she has turned
+me out of the Werve."
+
+"What do you say?"
+
+"Oh, it was not done in anger or malice; but because she herself will
+be forced to leave the Castle very soon. In fact, she has already
+hired a room at farmer Pauwelsen's; but she will tell nobody what
+she 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 to
+Overberg in the sense you advised him. And as everything was vague and
+uncertain because of your answering nobody's letters, the lawyers lost
+patience; and Overberg, egged on, I believe, by that quill-driver in
+Utrecht, wrote to Freule Mordaunt to know for certain whether or not
+she 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 can
+assure you. I know she reproaches herself bitterly, and has done so
+since 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 utmost
+confusion with us from the fatal Friday you left----But I see this
+is sherry, may I help myself?"
+
+"Certainly, Captain; I beg your pardon, I ought to have thought of
+asking you sooner."
+
+"Well, then, after you were gone she fainted. Such a thing never
+happened to her before within my knowledge. I felt almost ashamed
+of her; but she loved you so much, as she later confessed to me
+weeping! When she came to herself again, and whilst, as we thought, she
+was reposing in her own room, she had stealthily gone off to the farm,
+ordered Tancredo to be saddled, and ridden away at full gallop. At
+dinner we became dreadfully uneasy as she did not put in an appearance,
+and neither the General nor myself could eat. But it was much worse
+when, in the evening twilight, young Pauwelsen came to say Tancredo
+had returned to the stable alone, without saddle and white with foam."
+
+"An accident!" I cried, beside myself. "Do tell me the worst at
+once. What has happened to her?"
+
+"Oh, it was not so bad after all, Jonker--only a sprained foot; we
+found her lying on the moss at the foot of an oak, to which she had
+been able to crawl to rest herself a little."
+
+"I know that oak!" I exclaimed. "I feel what she must have felt
+there. 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 the
+town, and then, suddenly changing her course, was returning to the
+Castle through the wood; but either she must have pressed Tancredo
+too hard, or dropped the reins--she cannot explain it herself. But
+certain it is, the noble animal, no longer recognizing the hand
+of his mistress, galloped home, and she fell out of the saddle. We
+carried her home, and laid her on the sofa in the drawing-room. The
+surgeon declared there was no danger, but said she must not be moved
+for 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 tell
+you perhaps, but she wrote a note to you."
+
+"Which I never received."
+
+"No, for young Pauwelsen was charged to deliver it into your own
+hands at Zutphen; but when he arrived there they told him you had
+left, 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 off
+in such a hurry?"
+
+"My dear Captain, I felt I was going to be ill; I was ill already. But
+how was it she did not receive my packet? I waited until the third
+day for an answer."
+
+"What could you expect? Everything was turned upside down. Fritz had
+orders to place all letters on the General's writing-table, and he
+had taken such an aversion to anything in the shape of a communication
+from the lawyers, that he never opened one of them. Miss Francis was
+scarcely able to move about again when those accursed creatures set
+to work and threatened to send in the bailiffs, and Heaven only knows
+what besides. Then she had to attend to everything, for the General
+had a second attack of paralysis: those people have been the death
+of him, and I could not prevent it."
+
+The Captain forgot to add here, what I afterwards learnt, that he
+had himself hastened the General's end by administering a glass of
+old cognac to him under the pretext of strengthening him for the
+occasion of meeting the bailiffs.
+
+"As soon as his eyes were closed," he continued, "the lawyer from
+Arnheim, who was in possession of the General's will, and Overberg
+advised Francis to arrange matters with you in an amicable manner;
+but she would not listen to them. You understand, it was in your name
+these 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 imagines
+I 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 was
+in the Castle!"
+
+"Afterwards she took me aside. 'Rolfie,' she said--it was her word when
+she wanted to get anything out of me--'Rolfie, now tell me honestly,
+have you not sacrificed the greater part of your fortune to the wants
+of my grandfather?'
+
+"'Well, certainly not, Maj--Miss Francis; we have only spent that small
+sum which we won in the lottery. The General would make use of his
+part of it to try his luck once more; but I preferred spending my part
+on a few extras for the table that we might all enjoy it together.'
+
+"'Then that story of yours about an inheritance was a pure
+invention?' 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, I
+would 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 that
+part 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 no
+castle, the best room in the house is set apart for your service.'
+
+"'I thank you most cordially, my good Captain; I was most anxious
+to know whether you were provided for. But we must separate, my
+dear Rolf.'
+
+"'And where will you go, what will you do?'
+
+"'I cannot tell you that; but one thing is certain, you cannot go
+with 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 through
+the 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. I
+shall give you a letter for the lawyers to stop all proceedings, and
+you will take command of the fortress until I come. Retain Fritz in the
+service, and try to find the packet. I shall be with you to-morrow or
+the 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's
+papers."
+
+"Then try to find out where Miss Francis is, and induce her to return
+to the Werve; but don't tell her I am coming there."
+
+At the same moment my landlady brought me the following telegram
+from 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 could
+stop 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 a
+letter awaiting me from Rudolf, who was still travelling through the
+provinces of Guelderland and Overyssel with his troupe, which was
+now performing at Laren fair. It ran as follows--
+
+"If you wish to prevent Francis from committing the greatest folly she
+has 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 sent
+for Overberg, who confirmed all I had heard from Rolf, and explained
+many things I thought inexplicable. It was Van Beek who had pushed
+matters to extremities, and he (Overberg) had been quite willing
+to grant any reasonable delay. He told me one thing I was still
+ignorant of. A lawyer had sent into Van Beek a copy of a codicil to
+Aunt Sophia's will, drawn up by her order on the eve of her death,
+by which she bequeathed to her grandniece, Francis Mordaunt, a yearly
+income of three thousand florins in case she did not marry Jonker
+van Zonshoven; and I was bound to pay this pension on condition
+she made no marriage without my consent. A very far-seeing woman
+this aunt of mine! I charged Overberg to make known this codicil,
+and to hand over to Francis the packet which he had found amongst
+the 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 her
+out, and to deliver it into her hands.
+
+Next morning, when I arrived at the appointed place, a little country
+inn, the landlady told me that a lady and gentleman were already
+awaiting me upstairs. I hastened into the large assembly-room, and at
+the bottom of it I could perceive Rudolf and Francis, almost hidden
+behind a platform which had been erected for the musicians. Francis
+stood with her back to the door at which I entered. I wished to give
+her warning of my presence, but I could not speak; and as I advanced
+all of a tremble, I heard Rudolf saying to her--
+
+"Nonsense, my dear! you have no idea of the sort of life you wish
+to lead. You talk of liberty and independence; but I tell you it is
+slavery and the whip into the bargain. Do you know our bed-room is in
+the stable with the horses? Do you think the women are much respected
+because they are so politely assisted to mount their horses during the
+performance? I can tell you Madame Stonehouse herself is not spared
+by 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 a
+horse, but I cannot become a governess and undertake the care of young
+children any more than I could earn my bread with my needle. I will
+not 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 with
+your Cousin van Zonshoven? You would then have all a woman could wish
+for--your castle back, a beautiful fortune, and a husband who would
+love you truly. Upon that I'll wager my head."
+
+"Yes; he's a man of rare loyalty, indeed, and has shown himself
+such!" 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. He
+will have much to forgive in you, as you have confessed to me
+yourself. Tell him you are sorry for what you have said. He will then
+embrace 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, unable
+to restrain myself any longer.
+
+"Leopold!" she cried, turning deadly pale, and covering her face with
+her hands.
+
+"Francis," I went on gently, "nothing is changed; I still regard you
+as my betrothed wife."
+
+And saying this I tried to take her hand in mine. But the touch
+pained her; she sprang back as if she had received the discharge of
+an electric battery.
+
+"Your betrothed! You have given me to understand this by the manner
+in which I have been treated!"
+
+"It grieves me to the heart, Francis--I cannot tell you how much. I
+come now from a sick-bed, and what the lawyers did whilst I lay
+insensible in the fever was in opposition to my wishes, and quite
+contrary to my intentions."
+
+"And was it contrary to your intentions to cause my grandfather the
+shock which led to his death?"
+
+"Most certainly it was, and I did my utmost to prevent it; but
+you would not assist me, and afterwards it was too late. It was the
+executors carrying out the last will and testament of the deceased, and
+it was out of my power to interfere with them. And if the consequences
+hastened your grandfather's death, you cannot blame me, Francis. For
+after a calm consideration of all the facts, you will be bound to
+agree that I was a better friend both to him and to you than you have
+been to yourselves. Because of a little misunderstanding which I could
+easily 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 the
+gulf between us is so wide," she replied, with a profound sigh. "You
+threatened me with force, and you have meanly carried that threat into
+execution! You had it in your power to drive me to extremities, your
+one fixed idea being to compel me to marry Aunt Roselaer's heir. I
+have heard this so often I am sick of the subject; and though I
+acknowledge you are right from a worldly and material point of view,
+I had given you credit for better things. Don't you understand, that
+were I to marry you now under constraint, I should tug at my chains
+until 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 such
+generosity on your part unnecessary. I am going to travel about in
+the world, and I have taken steps to separate myself from the past
+entirely. I have made my contract with Mr. Stonehouse, to whom Rudolf
+is 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 a
+step; and if you are awaiting the arrival of Mr. Stonehouse, you will
+have to wait a long time," responded Rudolf, coolly. "Did you think
+me 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 that
+you were going to commit a folly which would lead to your inevitable
+ruin."
+
+"Oh, I see! this is another plot against me. Enough; as I cannot
+trust any one but myself, I will ride off at once and ask to see
+Mr. Stonehouse in person."
+
+"You will do nothing of the sort," I said, authoritatively, seeing
+that she rose to depart. "The General is dead, Rudolf civilly dead,
+and I am consequently, in the eyes of the law, your nearest male
+relation. Therefore I forbid your entering this abyss, from whence
+no one ever rises again, in the flower of your age."
+
+"What am I to do?" she cried passionately, yet with an accent of
+submission in her tone.
+
+"You have simply to return to the Werve," I answered, "where you will
+find 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 be
+afraid--I shall not importune you with my presence, for I am going
+to travel."
+
+This latter declaration seemed to make a great impression on her. She
+regarded me with a strange kind of look, and replied in a tone of
+voice which betrayed something more than pride and anger--
+
+"In very sooth, Leopold, you are going to travel? Well, then, I will
+stay at the Werve. Farewell."
+
+And she escaped from the room quickly, shutting the door after her. We
+soon heard the pawing of her horse outside, and we trusted she would
+ride 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 reckless
+rider. Only lately she had an accident."
+
+"That's true; for Heaven's sake follow her! But if you should be
+recognized yourself?"
+
+"Never fear, I am too well disguised for that. In my present dress
+I made more than one visit to the Werve during my father's last
+illness. I have pressed his hand on his death-bed; and he has given
+me 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. And
+Francis," he cried in triumph, "has accepted assistance from me
+during 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 my
+native soil," he added, sadly, as he mounted his horse; and pressing
+my 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. He
+had just received from England a packet addressed to Francis, which
+Fritz had refused to take charge of, as he did not know where to find
+her. 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 the
+Castle, and bring me back a recu from Francis. I should then have
+proof positive of her return to the Werve. I was very anxious to find
+out what this packet could contain; and I was in despair as to any
+suitable means of satisfying my curiosity, when early next morning
+old Fritz arrived at the hotel with a note from his mistress. He had
+his orders not to deliver it into anybody's hands but mine. I broke
+the 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 hotel
+carriage, and drive back with Fritz. My hopes and fears as we drove
+along I will not attempt to describe; they are better left to your
+imagination; but everything seemed to turn round before my eyes as we
+passed over the old drawbridge, and drove up to the hall-door. Rolf
+was awaiting me at the entrance; and he led me into the drawingroom
+without a word, only expressing his delight by the manner in which
+he swung about his cap.
+
+Francis was seated on the sofa which I remembered so well, her head
+cast down, paler than on the preceding day; but charmingly beautiful
+in 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? You
+have received my packet, and read Aunt Sophia's letter?"
+
+"I have received all the documents, read all--more than was necessary
+to convince me I had done you an injustice, and ought to apologize
+to you. Now I am ready to confess it before all the world that I did
+you 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 of
+reconciliation. Still, there was a constraint about her manner which
+prevented my pressing her to my heart as I desired to do.
+
+"Sit down, Leopold," she said; "now we are reconciled I have to ask
+your advice as my nearest relation and my most trusted friend."
+
+At the same time she unfolded the packet which she had received
+from England.
+
+"Lord William is dead," she went on; "will you read this letter
+addressed to me, together with a copy of his will?"
+
+I could scarcely control myself sufficiently to read the letter; but
+I obeyed mechanically. This letter contained a few words of serious
+advice, breathing nothing but words of paternal love; though I read
+between the lines that it had cost him a struggle after her confession
+to regain this kind of calm affection for her. He had left with Cupid's
+arrow in his heart. The letter concluded with the most ardent wishes
+for her happiness; and he expressed a hope she would one day find a
+husband worthy of her, begging her to accept as a marriage portion
+the legacy he had left her by his will. Finally, he said, she must
+allow 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 most
+illustrious in the scientific as well as in the political world.
+
+There was also a second letter from the nephew and heir to
+Lord William's title and immense fortune. He assured Francis
+of his intentions scrupulously to fulfil the last will of the
+deceased. Francis was to receive from the estates an annuity of three
+thousand 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 desire
+has always been to have an independence; and here it is offered you
+by the hand of a friend."
+
+"You are right, Leopold; I shall follow your advice and accept it. Now
+I shall not be forced to marry any one; and if I should choose a
+husband, he cannot suspect me of having done so for the sake of his
+money. Shall I be rich enough to buy back the Werve?"
+
+"No, Francis; the Werve is in the possession of one who will not
+sell 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 been
+my chief desire. It is possible; but now I understand that my greatest
+happiness is to be dependent on the man I love. Leo, Aunt Roselaer has
+left me an annuity which I decline to accept, as a matter of course;
+but her intentions towards me were kindly, and I will follow her
+advice. 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 any
+objections?"
+
+"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 had
+loved 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 us
+by our former walks. We made all sorts of plans for the future. We
+wrote letters to Van Beek and the other men of the law, informing
+them 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 us
+as a pretext for being married privately, and in as quiet a manner
+as possible, an arrangement in accordance with both our wishes. An
+old 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 farmers
+Pauwelsens. His mother has perfectly recovered, and will one of these
+days, we trust, marry young Pauwelsen, a son of the farmer, who had
+already fixed his eyes on her before her engagement to Blount. This
+good news has removed an immense weight from Francis's mind. We are
+going to make a long journey, and try to enjoy ourselves thoroughly;
+the trials we have both passed through have taught us to appreciate
+our present happiness.
+
+During our absence the Werve will be restored, and Rolf will be left
+in charge.
+
+To conclude, dear William, I have got Francis to enclose you a note
+in her own handwriting.
+
+
+Geneva, 1861.    Leopold van Zonshoven.
+
+"That it is becoming in Leo to have sketched the doings of Major
+Frank in all their shades and peculiarities, even for a friend, I
+shall never allow; but I feel that in his delicate position it was
+necessary for him to ease his mind to some one, and that it was better
+he should do so to a friend across the seas. Therefore I have pardoned
+him. Now I will request you not to have his letters printed in any
+of your Indian papers! That would be too bad! Not that Francis van
+Zonshoven would attempt to defend such a person--oh no! It appears
+to me no such person ever existed. But there are family secrets in
+the letters, which I must seriously recommend to your discretion.
+
+"Don't wait until your term of service in India expires, but get your
+leave of absence and visit us at the Werve. All the windows are now
+glazed, and there is room enough for Leo's friend, though he came
+with 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 their
+own tongue.
+
+[2] The strictly orthodox party in Holland will only make use of the
+version of the Bible approved by the States-General in the seventeenth
+century; the bigots insist upon its being printed in the German
+characters 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 are
+never delivered by the postman.
+
+[5] In Holland every village has its burgomaster, who acts as chairman
+of the local board.
+
+[6] Trineke is a diminutive of Catherine.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Major Frank, by A. L. G. Bosboom-Toussaint
+
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