, and who are you?"

"One who is fighting for your liberty, a German, Georg von Dornburg."

"Oh, wait here, I entreat you. I'll come back directly. Do you know
whether Fraulein Van Hoogstraten--"

"Up there," replied Georg, pointing towards the ceiling.

Nicolas sprang up the stairs in two or three bounds, called his cousin,
and hastily told her that her father had had a severe fall from his horse
while hunting, and was lying dangerously ill. When Nicolas spoke of Anna
he had at first burst into a furious passion, but afterwards voluntarily
requested him to tell him about her, and attempted to leave his bed to
accompany him. He succeeded in doing so, but fell back fainting. When his
father came early the next morning, she might tell him that he, Nicolas,
begged his forgiveness; he was about to do what he believed to be his
duty.

He evaded Henrica's questions, and merely hastily enquired about Anna's
health and the Leyden citizen, whom Georg had mentioned.

When he heard the name of the musician Wilhelm, he begged her to warn him
to depart in good time, and if possible in his company, then bade her a
hurried farewell and ran down-stairs.

Wilhelm soon followed. Henrica accompanied him to the stairs to see Georg
once more, but as soon as she heard his voice, turned defiantly away and
went back to her sister.

The musician found Junker von Dornburg engaged in an eager conversation
with Nicolas.

"No, no, my boy," said the German cordially, "my way cannot be yours."

"I am seventeen years old."

"That's not it; you've just confronted me bravely, and you have a man's
strength of will--but life ought still to bear flowers for you, if such
is God's will--you are going forth to fight sword-in-hand to win a worthy
destiny of peace and prosperity, for yourself and your native land, in
freedom--but I, I--give me your hand and promise--"

"My hand? There it is; but I must refuse the promise. With or without
you--I shall go to the Beggars!"

Georg gazed at the brave boy in delight, and asked gently:

"Is your mother living?"

"No."

"Then come. We shall probably both find what we seek with the Beggars."

Nicolas clasped the hand Georg offered, but Wilhelm approached the
Junker, saying:

"I expected this from you, after what I saw at St. Peter's church and
Quatgelat's tavern."

"You first opened my eyes," replied Nicolas. "Now come, we'll go directly
through the camp; they all know me."

In the road the boy