about to become a renegade to country and religion. There was as much
truth in the slanders as in the rest of the calumnies of which he had
been the victim during his career. He placed on record a proof of his
loyal devotion to his country in the letters which he wrote from Antwerp
within a week of his arrival there. With his subsequent history, his
appearance and long residence at the French court as ambassador of
Sweden, his memorable labours in history, diplomacy, poetry, theology,
the present narrative is not concerned. Driven from the service of his
Fatherland, of which his name to all time is one of the proudest
garlands, he continued to be a benefactor not only to her but to all
mankind. If refutation is sought of the charge that republics are
ungrateful, it will certainly not be found in the history of Hugo Grotius
or John of Barneveld.

Nor is there need to portray the wrath of Captain Deventer when he
returned to Castle Loevestein.

"Here is the cage, but your bird is flown," said corpulent Maria Grotius
with a placid smile. The Commandant solaced himself by uttering
imprecations on her, on her husband, and on Elsje van Houwening. But
these curses could not bring back the fugitive. He flew to Gorcum to
browbeat the Daatselaers and to search the famous trunk. He found in it
the big New Testament and some skeins of thread, together with an octavo
or two of theology and of Greek tragedies; but the Arminian was not in
it, and was gone from the custody of the valiant Deventer for ever.

After a brief period Madame de Groot was released and rejoined her
husband. Elsje van Houwening, true heroine of the adventure, was
subsequently married to the faithful servant of Grotius, who during the
two years' imprisonment had been taught Latin and the rudiments of law by