of the iron
safe.

"There, Amine, is my money. We need not count it, as your father would
propose. You see that I was right when I asserted that I had thousands
of guilders. At present they are of no use to me, as I have to learn my
profession. Should I return some day, they may help me to own a ship.
I know not what my destiny may be."

"And should you not return?" replied Amine, gravely.

"Then they are yours, as well as all that is in this cottage, and the
cottage itself."

"You have relations, have you not?"

"But one, who is rich--an uncle, who helped us but little in our
distress, and who has no children. I owe him but little--and he wants
nothing. There is but one being in this world who has created an
interest in this heart, Amine, and it is you. I wish you to look upon
me as a brother. I shall always love you as a dear sister."

Amine made no reply. Philip took some more money out of the bag which
had been opened, for the expenses of his journey, and then locking up
the safe and cupboard, gave the keys to Amine. He was about to address
her when there was a slight knock at the door, and in entered Father
Seysen, the priest.

"Save you my son; and you, my child, whom as yet I have not seen. You
are, I suppose, the daughter of Mynheer Poots?"

Amine bowed her head.

"I perceive, Philip, that the room is now opened; and I have heard of
all that has passed. I would now talk with thee, Philip, and must beg
this maiden to leave us for a while alone."

Amine quitted the room; and the priest, sitting down on the couch,
beckoned Philip to his side. The conversation which ensued was too long
to repeat. The priest first questioned Philip relative to his secret;
but on that point he could not obtain the information which he wished.
Philip stated as much as he did to Amine, and no more. He also declared
his intention of going to sea, and that, should he not return, he had
bequeathed his property--the extent of which he did not make known--to
the doctor and his daughter. The priest then made inquiries relative to
Mynheer Poots, asking Philip whether he knew what his creed was, as he
had never appeared at any church, and report said that he was an
infidel. To this Philip, as usual, gave his frank answer, and intimated
that the daughter, at least, was anxious to be enlightened, begging the
priest to undertake a task to which he himself was not adequate. To
this request Father Seysen, who perceive