ven 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.