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