to answer her questions he
was soon carried away by her glowing vivacity, and gave free, joyous play
to his wit. Henrica did not remain in his debt, her eyes sparkled, and in
the increasing pleasure of trying the power of her intellect against his,
she sought to surpass every jest and repartee made by the Junker. She
drank no wine, but was intoxicated by her own flow of language and so
completely engrossed Georg's attention, that he found no time to address
a word to the other guests. If he attempted to do so, she quickly
interrupted him and compelled him to turn to her again. This constraint
annoyed the young man; while struggling against it his spirit of
wantonness awoke, and he began to irritate Henrica into making
unprecedented assertions, which he opposed with equally unwarrantable
ones of his own.

Maria sometimes listened to the young lady in surprise, and there was
something in Georg's manner that vexed her. Peter took little notice of
Henrica; he was talking with Van Hout about the letters from the Glippers
asking a surrender, three of which had already been brought into the
city, of the uncertain disposition of some members of the council and the
execution of the captured spy.

Wilhelm, who had scarcely vouchsafed his neighbor an answer, was now
following the conversation of the older men and remarked, that he had
known the traitor. He was a tavern-keeper, in whose inn he had once met
Herr Matanesse Van Wibisma.

"There we have it," said Van Hout. "A note was found in Quatgelat's
pouch, and the writing bore a mysterious resemblance to the baron's hand.
Quatgelat was to enquire about the quantity of provisions in Leyden."
"All alike!" exclaimed the burgomaster. "Unhappily he could have brought
tidings only too welcome to Valdez. Little that is cheering has resulted
from the investigation; though the exact amount has not yet been
ascertained."

"We must place it during the next few days in charge of the ladies."

"Give it to the women?" asked Peter in astonishment.

"Yes, to us!" cried Van Hout's wife. "Why should we sit idle, when we
might be of use."

"Give us the work!" exclaimed Maria. "We are as eager as you, to render
the great cause some service."

"And believe me," added Frau Van Hout, "we shall find admittance to
store-rooms and cellars much more quickly than constables and guards,
whom the housewives fear."

"Women in the service of the city," said Peter thoughtfully. "To be
honest--but you