"With pleasure," replied the Junker, and Peter, offering him his hand,
said:

"The duties of my office call me away, but you can tell the ladies what
you need, and when you mean to move in. The sooner, the better we shall
be pleased. Shall we not, Maria?"

"You will be welcome, Junker Georg. Now I must look after the invalid we
are nursing here. Barbara will ascertain your wishes."

The young wife took her husband's hand and left the room with him.

The widow was left alone with the young nobleman and tried to learn
everything he desired. Then she followed her sister-in-law, and finding
her in Henrica's room, clapped her hands, exclaiming:

"That is a man! Fraulein, I assure you that, though I'm an old woman,
I never met so fine a young fellow in all my life. So much heart, and so
handsome too! 'To whom fortune gives once, it gives by bushels, and unto
him that hath, shall be given!' Those are precious words!"




CHAPTER XXIV.

Peter had promised Henrica, to request the council to give her permission
to leave the city.

It was hard for her to part from the burgomaster's household. Maria's