a certain restraint upon himself, in order to speak before women,
servants, and children, of matters he was in the habit of discussing only
with men of his own position. Maria listened attentively, but maintained
a modest reserve, urging him only by loving looks and sympathizing
exclamations, while Barbara boldly asked one question after another.

The meal was approaching an end, when Junker von Warmond entered
unannounced, and requested the burgomaster to accompany him at once, for
Colonel Chester was standing before the White Gate with a portion of his
troops, asking admittance to the city.

At these tidings, Peter dashed his mug of beer angrily on the table,
sprang from his seat, and left the room before the nobleman.

During the late hours of the afternoon, the Van der Werff house was
crowded with people. The gossips came to talk over with Barbara the
events occurring at the White Gate. Burgomaster Van Swieten's wife had
heard from her own husband, that the Englishmen, without making any
resistance, had surrendered the beautiful new fort of Valkenburg and
taken to their heels, at the mere sight of the Spaniards. The enemy had
marched out from Haarlem through the downs above Nordwyk, and it would
have been an easy matter for the Britons to hold the strong position.

"Fine aid such helpers give!" cried Barbara indignantly. "Let Queen
Elizabeth keep the men on her island for herself, and send us the women."

"Yet they are real sons of Anak, and bear themselves like trim soldiers,"
said the wife of the magistrate Heemskerk. "High boots, doublets of fine
leather, gay plumes in their morions and hats, large coats of mail,
halberds that would kill half a dozen--and all like new."