make ready the large room by eight o'clock
to-night, and give directions for supper at
nine. I expect a friend to-night; and
observe me, child, do thou trick thyself out
handsomely. I would not have him think
us poor or sluttish.'

With these words he left the chamber,
and took his way to the room to which we
have already had occasion to introduce
our readers--that in which his pupils
worked.

When the evening closed in, Gerard
called Schalken, who was about to take his
departure to his obscure and comfortless
lodgings, and asked him to come
home and sup with Rose and Vanderhausen.

The invitation was of course accepted,
and Gerard Douw and his pupil soon
found themselves in the handsome and
somewhat antique-looking room which
had been prepared for the reception of the
stranger.

A cheerful wood-fire blazed in the capacious
hearth; a little at one side an old-
fashioned table, with richly-carved legs,
was placed--destined, no doubt, to receive