frank nature exerted a beneficial influence; it seemed as if her respect
for her own sex increased in her society. The day before she had heard
her sing. The young wife's voice was like her character. Every note
flawless and clear as a bell, and Henrica grieved that she should be
forbidden to mingle her own voice with her hostess's. She was very sorry
to leave the children too. Yet she was obliged to go, on Anna's account,
for her father could not be persuaded by letters to do anything. Had she
appealed to him in writing to forgive his rejected child, he would hardly
have read the epistle to the end. Something might more easily be won
from him through words, by taking advantage of a favorable moment. She
must have speech with him, yet she dreaded the life in his castle,
especially as she was forced to acknowledge, that she too was by no means
necessary to her father. To secure the inheritance, he had sent her to a
terrible existence with her aunt; while she lay dangerously ill, he had
gone to a tournament, and the letter received from him the day before,
contained nothing but the information that he was refused admittance to
the city, and a summons for her to go to Junker de Heuter's house at the
Hague. Enclosed was a pass from Valdez, enjoining all King Philip's
soldiers to provide for her safety.

The burgomaster had intended to have her conveyed in a litter,
accompanied by a flag of truce, as far as the Spanish lines, and the
doctor no longer opposed her wish to travel. She hoped to leave that
day.

Lost in thought, she stationed herself in the baywindow and gazed out
into the court-yard. Several windows in the building on the eastern side
stood open. Trautchen must have risen early, for she came out of the
rooms arranged for Georg's occupation, followed by a young assistant
carrying various scrubbing utensils. Next Jan appeared with a large arm-