  Francis ordered Rolf off in search of her riding-whip which she had lost on the heath in the morning, making sure this would keep him out of the way for a time. “It’s no easy matter to find such a thing in the sand,” he growled, as he limped off. “But, you know, I want it very much, and if you can find it you will do me a great pleasure,” Francis called after him. “Well, since I need not be on duty with the General, I will do my best,” he answered. “You are a cruel despot,” I could not help saying to Francis. She smiled and coloured slightly. “Oh, Jonker, this is nothing!” sighed the submissive vassal; “when Miss Major was a child, you should have seen what I had to do and suffer.” “Just so,” replied Francis; “then you spoilt me, and hence your penance is so hard. Give me your hand, my good Rolf; I won’t promise you absolution, but a truce for to-day.” The old soldier took the hand held out to him, and I saw a tear sparkle in his eye, which reconciled me to him in spite of his vulgar familiarities. He, ashamed of his weakness, tried to hide it from us by a prompt retreat. Almost immediately afterwards he entered the room again, and approaching Francis he said— “I know I disturb you, Freule, but it is better that I come instead of Fritz. I met the driver who brought the Jonker, at the gate, and he wishes to know at what hour our visitor intends leaving.” Whilst hesitating about my answer, I overheard him whisper to Francis— “I have passed the turkeys in review, and there is one just ready for the cook, but not to-day: I am sorry for le cher cousin.” I hastened to say— “There is nothing I should like better than to spend the day here; and as for the dinner, I prefer to take pot-luck with my friends.” “Well, of course you will stay to dinner, Leopold,” said the General, eyeing Francis, who had not yet given her consent. After some hesitation she said, in a decisive tone— “We will dine early to-day; order the carriage for seven o’clock.” “You shame me with such meagre hospitality,” interposed the General. “Why not invite your cousin Van Zonshoven to stay the night; he can leave early to-morrow morning?” “Sleep here, grandfather! But you don’t understand; really we are unprepared to lodge visitors.” “What!” exclaimed Rolf, with a loud laugh, “we could lodge half a company.” “Half your company!” Francis cried bitterly; “but you forget that Jonker van Zonshoven is accustomed to the luxuries of the Hague.” “To a modest chamber on the second floor, Francis; and he can sleep comfortably on a mattress of straw, if well wrapped up.” The old man was again visibly affected, and murmured gently— “This is another caprice of yours, Francis.” “If you are determined to stay,” responded Francis, with a cold and sorrowful look at me, “I will try to find you a room where there are no broken panes. Come, Captain, never mind about the whip to-day; you must now act as my quartermaster. Forward, march;” and taking him by the arm, she led off her willing slave. When we were once more alone, the General began— “Believe me, she means well and kindly towards you; but as we don’t reckon on visitors, you have taken us by surprise, and that’s what vexes Francis. It is so difficult to procure anything in this out-of-the-way place.” “Every lady has her faults and her little caprices,” I interposed. “Yes, but others can hide them better under a little polish. Francis cannot understand our social laws; unfortunately she has not had an education suitable to her rank and station. Her own mother she never knew; and my son-in-law, Sir John Mordaunt, did not understand the kind of training necessary for a Dutch lady of position.” “Don’t despair, General; who knows what effect a good husband will have on her!” “That’s just my difficulty, Jonker; Francis would refuse to marry any man she suspected of such intentions.” “You are right, grandfather,” exclaimed Francis, who had again entered the room. “Major Frank will never give up her command to an inferior; she can only endure slaves and vassals around her, and the sooner Jonker Leopold understands this, the better for him, if he has intentions of conspiring against her freedom.” This was said half jestingly; but I replied, quite seriously, that I thought Major Frank would do wrong to refuse a good husband. Francis reddened to the roots of her hair, and then grew pale, as she answered with a forced smile— “Well, you are not a dangerous suitor. As the General will have told you, Miss Mordaunt can only accept a very rich husband; and I think you have already acknowledged that the Van Zonshovens are not among the people who pay the highest amount of income-tax.” “But Francis!” exclaimed the General, deprecatingly. “Well now, dear papa, that’s the standard by |
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