DEAR AND HONOURED SIR,

"I have sought a proper asylum for your daughter during the
impending troubles, and could not find one which pleased, and
in consequence I have taken the bold step, aware that I might
not have received your sanction if applied for, of taking her
on board the cutter with me; she will there be safe, and as
her character might be, to a certain degree, impeached by
being in company with a man of my age, I intend, as soon as
we arrive in port, to unite myself to her, for which act, I
trust, you will grant me your pardon. As for yourself, be
under no apprehension, I have saved you. Treat the
accusation with scorn, and if you are admitted into the
presence of his Majesty, accuse him of the ingratitude which
he has been guilty of; I trust that we shall soon meet again,
that I may return to you the securities and specie of which I
have charge, as well as your daughter, who is anxious once
more to receive your blessing.

"Yours ever, till death,

"EDWARD RAMSAY."

Mynheer Krause read this letter over and over again, it was very
mystifying. Much depends in this world upon the humour people are in at
the time; Mynheer Krause was, at that time, full of Cato-like devotion
and Roman virtue, and he took the contents of the letter in true
Catonic style.

"Excellent young man--to preserve my honour he has taken her away with
him! and, to preserve her reputation he intends to marry her! Now, I can
go to prison without a sigh. He tells me that he has saved me--saved
me!--why, he has saved everything; me, my daughter, and my property!
Well, they shall see how I behave! They shall witness the calmness of a
stoic; I shall express no emotion or surprise at the arrest, as they
will naturally expect, because I know it is to take place--no fear--no
agitation when in prison, because I know that I am to be saved. I shall
desire them to bear in mind that I am the syndic of this town, and must
receive that respect which is due to my exalted situation," and Mynheer
Van Krause lifted his pipe and ordered Koop to bring him a stone jug of
beer, and thus doubly-armed like Cato, he awaited the arrival of the
officer with all the stoicism of beer and tobacco.

About the same hour of night that the letter was put into the hands of
Mynheer Krause, a packet was brought up to Lord Albemarle, who was
playing a game of put with his Grace the