u 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 st