, a difference between trying to blind people, and
tearing off the bandages from the sores in this way, Miss Mordaunt,"
I replied, with emphasis.

"Possibly, Jonker; but I cannot hide my meaning in fine words. I
must speak plainly. I would rather live on bread and water than be
beholden to another for these luxuries."

With this she left the room, giving me a defiant look, which I
returned by a shake of the head, to signify how much I disapproved
of her conduct and the intemperance of her language.

Whilst we stood staring at each other, we three gentlemen, in a state
of stupefaction, she just put her head in at the door and said--

"Captain, you will attend to the housekeeping duties to-day; I am
going for a ride."

"At your service, Commandant," answered Rolf, bringing his hand to
his cap in military fashion.

I could not help expressing my amazement at the coolness with which
he treated the whole affair.

"What could I say, Jonker; such outbursts are not new to me. I saw
this morning that the weather-glass stood at storm. The quicker and
more violent the storm, the sooner it is over; and you know an old
soldier is proof against weather."

"I am glad I warned you beforehand, nephew, of my granddaughter's
temper," said the General, with a deep sigh, without raising his
head to look at me. "Once she's got an idea into her head, there is
no opposing her; she'll drive through anything, like a man on his
hobby-horse; she never reasons."

I thought to myself, she reasons only too logically for you; and he
evidently felt it, for throughout the whole scene he had sat with
his head down, nervously playing with his ring.

"Come, General, don't be cast down," said Rolf, cheerily: "we'll
maintain our alliance against the common foe, and the wind will
change again."

As he spoke he unfolded a long, small parcel; it contained a
riding-whip. "I am afraid the moment is inopportune," he said;
"and yet she will need it. Who knows but she'll accept my present?"

"I hope not," I said to myself; "that would lower her in my esteem."

"She deserves to be chastised with it," interposed the General,
now giving vent to his pent-up rage.

"Yes, Excellency, that we ought to have done twenty years ago. It
was a mistake to promote her to the command before we had taught her
the discipline."

"A great mistake," sighed the General.

Rolf now set to work to attend to his housekeeping duties, and I
excused myself under the pretex