y young Pauwelsen, a son of the farmer, who had
already fixed his eyes on her before her engagement to Blount. This
good news has removed an immense weight from Francis's mind. We are
going to make a long journey, and try to enjoy ourselves thoroughly;
the trials we have both passed through have taught us to appreciate
our present happiness.

During our absence the Werve will be restored, and Rolf will be left
in charge.

To conclude, dear William, I have got Francis to enclose you a note
in her own handwriting.

Geneva, 1861. Leopold van Zonshoven.

"That it is becoming in Leo to have sketched the doings of Major
Frank in all their shades and peculiarities, even for a friend, I
shall never allow; but I feel that in his delicate position it was
necessary for him to ease his mind to some one, and that it was better
he should do so to a friend across the seas. Therefore I have pardoned
him. Now I will request you not to have his letters printed in any
of your Indian papers! That would be too bad! Not that Francis van
Zonshoven would attempt to defend such a person--oh no! It appears
to me no such person ever existed. But there are family secrets in
the letters, which I must seriously recommend to your discretion.

"Don't wait until your term of service in India expires, but get your
leave of absence and visit us at the Werve. All the windows are now
glazed, and there is room enough for Leo's friend, though he came
with a whole family.

"Francis van Zonshoven."

NOTES

[1] Strictly orthodox Dutch people think that a sermon in the light,
airy French language cannot be so serious and solemn as in their
own tongue.

[2] The strictly orthodox party in Holland will only make use of the
version of the Bible approved by the States-General in the seventeenth
century; the bigots insist upon its being printed in the German
characters in use at the time when the first copies were issued.

[3] The Victoria Cross of the Dutch.

[4] In Holland one is obliged to fetch a registered letter; they are
never delivered by the postman.

[5] In Holland every village has its burgomaster, who acts as chairman
of the local board.

[6] Trineke is a diminutive of Catherine.

End of Project Gutenberg's Major Frank, by A. L. G. Bosboom-Toussaint

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MAJOR FRANK ***

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