ven only knows
what besides. Then she had to attend to everything, for the General
had a second attack of paralysis: those people have been the death
of him, and I could not prevent it."

The Captain forgot to add here, what I afterwards learnt, that he
had himself hastened the General's end by administering a glass of
old cognac to him under the pretext of strengthening him for the
occasion of meeting the bailiffs.

"As soon as his eyes were closed," he continued, "the lawyer from
Arnheim, who was in possession of the General's will, and Overberg
advised Francis to arrange matters with you in an amicable manner;
but she would not listen to them. You understand, it was in your name
these proceedings had been taken against her grandfather."

"Whilst I lay unconscious on a bed of sickness."

"That's what the Pharisees knew, but they had your power of attorney;
and Francis said--

"'Behold the constraint with which he threatened me! And he imagines
I shall give way? Never!' You should have seen her, how pale she was,
but firm; when the men came to make the inventory of all there was
in the Castle!"

"Afterwards she took me aside. 'Rolfie,' she said--it was her word when
she wanted to get anything out of me--'Rolfie, now tell me honestly,
have you not sacrificed the greater part of your fortune to the wants
of my grandfather?'

"'Well, certainly not, Maj--Miss Francis; we have only spent that small
sum which we won in the lottery. The General would make use of his
part of it to try his luck once more; but I preferred spending my part
on a few extras for the table that we might all enjoy it together.'

"'Then that story of yours about an inheritance was a pure
invention?' she demanded severely.

"'Pardon, Freule, I have inherited a nice little farm in North Brabant,
where I always intended to end my days, if the Freule should' (marry, I
would have said, but I was afraid) 'wish to dispense with my services.'

"'And can you live comfortably on it, Captain?'

"'Very; and, besides, I have my pension. Living is very cheap in that
part of the country; if the Freule can make up her mind to go with me,
we should have a very pleasant life of it together. Though it is no
castle, the best room in the house is set apart for your service.'

"'I thank you most cordially, my good Captain; I was most anxious
to know whether you were provided for. But we must separate, my
dear Rolf.'

"'And where will you go, what will you d