him away. Now do you understand I
had reasons for being angry this morning?"

"That you had reasons, I don't dispute; but the form----"

"Come, come, always the form!"

"I don't say the form is the main thing, but a woman who gives way
to such fits of violence puts herself in the wrong, even though she
have right on her side. Just think for a moment what a scene if the
Captain had retaliated in the same coarse language of the barracks,
which he has probably not forgotten."

"I should like to see him try it on with me!"

"However, he had a perfect right to do so. I agree you are right
in principle; but let me beseech you to change your manner of
proceeding. The gentleness of a woman is always more persuasive than
the transports of passion. You have told me your early education was
neglected; but you have read Schiller?"

"Die Raeuber," she replied, tauntingly.

"But not his 'Macht des Weibes,' nor this line--

'Was die Stille nicht wirkt, wirket die Rauschende nie!'"

She shook her head in the negative.

"This part of your education has been much neglected."

"I will not deny it."

"But it is not yet too late. Will you listen to my advice?"

"Not now; I have already stayed too long here, and--and--you stay at
the Castle----"

"As long as you will keep me, Francis."

"Well, stay as long as you can--that is, if you can fall in with our
ways. I am going out for a ride; I need fresh air and movement."

"Apropos the service you came to ask of me--the strap?"

"Oh, I shall pluck a switch. The Captain came to offer me a whip,
and----"

"And you would rather accept it at my hands," I said, laughing.

"No; but I should like to borrow ten guilders of you for a couple
of days."

I handed over my purse, and told her to take out of it as much as
she required. What a strange creature! What a comic conclusion to
our battle!

I also felt as if a little fresh air would do me good, and so I walked
off to the village post-office with my letter to Overberg.

CHAPTER XXI.

Downstairs I met the General ready for a walk, and he offered to
accompany me. He had also a letter for the post, which was a secret
to be kept from Francis; and he expected to find a packet awaiting
him, which could not be entrusted to a servant. The packet was there
amongst the letters marked poste restante; but when he had opened
it with precipitation, a cloud of disappointment covered his face,
and he heaved a heavy