do is to sally forth and see the country,"
said the Count. "But yet I should not like to leave this part of it
without again having the happiness of basking in the smiles of those
charming young ladies, Vrouw Margaret and Vrouw Isabelle."

"I think you may be content with basking in the smiles of one of the
two," remarked the Baron, "I flatter myself that the smiles of the other
are directed towards me."

"We won't quarrel on the matter," said the Count, who greatly disliked
to dispute. "I was going to tell you that I have an idea."

"Have you, indeed!" exclaimed the Baron. "It is not often you indulge
in anything of the sort, tray let me know what it is."

"My idea is this," said the Count. "You know that I am an exquisite
player on the violin, though I did not bring one with me; for I might
have been mistaken, had I done so, for an itinerant musician. The idea
that has occurred to me is that I will purchase one, so that I may be
able to accompany the fair Vrouws when they play the piano. They are
sure to be delighted, and I shall be raised still higher in their good
graces."

"You are only thinking of yourself," muttered the Baron. "But suppose,"
he added aloud, "no violin is to be found in this rural district, how
can you obtain one?"

"I propose that we proceed to the nearest town, where such instruments
are sure to be on sale; and we can return by the evening, when we are
more likely to be admitted into Mynheer Van Arent's family circle," said
the Count. "You, Baron, surely play on some instrument, and you might
obtain it at the same time."

"The only instruments I play are the Jew's harp and the kettle-drum, and
I am afraid that neither are very well suited to entertain ladies in
their drawing-room," said the Baron.

"Not exactly. The latter would be rather too cumbersome to carry
about," said the Count. "However, let us set forth, or we shall not
have time to return before the evening." Fortunately they found a
_Trek-Schuit_ just starting for the far-famed town of Sneek.

Occasionally the boat passed between some of the small towns and
villages they had seen afar off, composed of neat houses with yellow and
blue blinds. The housewives, in golden casques, the usual headdress,
standing at the doors often exhibited a bright copper jug glistening in
the sun. The travellers frequently passed numerous boats, the men on
board of which saluted them politely. They appeared good-natured, happy
fel