them. He had now, not only the merchant
Hopper, but several other influential and wealthy citizens in his power.
He wished, however, to get more into his net, and hearing that in a day
or two another meeting would take place, at which several other persons
would attend, he laid his plans accordingly. "I shall have a good haul
by that time," he thought to himself.

Caspar Gaill had in the meantime been seized with remorse. He had
betrayed the man who had trusted him, the father of one whom he wished
to make his bride; still he dared not warn them. The friar, he well
knew, had his eye upon him. He knew too completely the secrets of his
heart, and he felt sure that should he attempt to defeat Father
Quixada's projects, he himself would be the first victim of his
vengeance.

At the intended meeting, not only the merchant Hopper, but his fair
daughter Gretchen was present. Caspar Gaill came also, but how
different were his thoughts to those he had entertained when first he
entered that hall!

He kept looking anxiously round, hoping that the German merchant might
not appear. His heart sank, however, when, just before the sermon
began, the seeming merchant appeared, and was, to human eye, the most
devout of all the congregation. No one joined more heartily in the
hymns of Marot; no one seemed to hang more earnestly on the words of the
speaker. Again were the glorious truths of the Gospel put forth in
simple language. Though the merchant's eyes were fixed on the speaker,
and his countenance beamed with intelligence, his thoughts were far
away, occupied in a plan for capturing the whole of those who were
engaged in worship round him. His quick eye, too, was noting all who
were present. He marked the fair Gretchen, and knew her at once from
being with her father.

"Caspar has not chosen ill, so far as eye is concerned," he said to
himself. "No wonder he raves about the little maiden. He need no
longer have any fears about winning her; she may not love him, but
surely she will rather become his bride than be sent to the stake. Few
girls would prefer burning, or drowning, or hanging, to a young and
gallant husband. Caspar is well-favoured, she will not refuse him; we
will give her the choice."

The meeting was brought to a conclusion. Father Quixada left the hall
with the rest, and after making several turns and twists so as to escape
observation, he took his way to the house where a newly-arrived bishop
lod