rancis 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."

"D