lone with the young nobleman and tried to learn
everything he desired. Then she followed her sister-in-law, and finding
her in Henrica's room, clapped her hands, exclaiming:

"That is a man! Fraulein, I assure you that, though I'm an old woman, I
never met so fine a young fellow in all my life. So much heart, and so
handsome too! 'To whom fortune gives once, it gives by bushels, and unto
him that hath, shall be given!' Those are precious words!"

CHAPTER XXIV.

Peter had promised Henrica, to request the council to give her permission
to leave the city.

It was hard for her to part from the burgomaster's household. Maria's
frank nature exerted a beneficial influence; it seemed as if her respect
for her own sex increased in her society. The day before she had heard
her sing. The young wife's voice was like her character. Every note
flawless and clear as a bell, and Henrica grieved that she should be
forbidden to mingle her own voice with her hostess's. She was very sorry
to leave the children too. Yet she was obliged to go, on Anna's account,
for her father could not be persuaded by letters to do anything. Had she
appealed to him in writing to forgive his rejected child, he would hardly
have read the epistle to the end. Something might more easily be won from
him through words, by taking advantage of a favorable moment. She must
have speech with him, yet she dreaded the life in his castle, especially
as she was forced to acknowledge, that she too was by no means necessary
to her father. To secure the inheritance, he had sent her to a terrible
existence with her aunt; while she lay dangerously ill, he had gone to a
tournament, and the letter received from him the day before, contained
nothing but the information that he was refused admittance to the city,
and a summons for her to go to Junker de Heuter's house at the Hague.
Enclosed was a pass from Valdez, enjoining all King Philip's soldiers to
provide for her safety.

The burgomaster had intended to have her conveyed in a litter,
accompanied by a flag of truce, as far as the Spanish lines, and the
doctor no longer opposed her wish to travel. She hoped to leave that day.

Lost in thought, she stationed herself in the baywindow and gazed out
into the court-yard. Several windows in the building on the eastern side
stood open. Trautchen must have risen early, for she came out of the
rooms arranged for Georg's occupation, followed by a young assistant
carrying var