"I am, well-beloved Heer, your friend,

"Piet van Vooren."


Now, when Ralph had finished reading this letter aloud, for it had been
given to him as the best scholar among us, you might have thought there
were four crazy people in the room, so great was our rage. Jan and Ralph
said little indeed, although they looked white and strange with anger,
and Suzanne not over much, for it was I who talked for all of them.

"What is your answer, girl?" asked her father presently with an angry
laugh.

"Tell the Heer Piet van Vooren," she replied, smiling faintly, "that if
ever his lips should touch my face again it will be only when that face
is cold in death. Oh! Ralph," she cried, turning to him suddenly and
laying her hand upon his breast, "it may be that this man will bring
trouble and separation on us; indeed, my heart warns me of it, but,
whatever chances, remember my words, dead I may be, but faithful I shall
be--yes, to death and through death."

"Son, take pen and write," said Jan before Ralph could answer. So Ralph
wrote down these words as Jan told them to him:


"Piet van Vooren,

"Sooner would I lay my only child out for burial in the grave than lead