delay was now caused by the respect for an old Dutch custom--the bride
should be at least eighteen, and Marguerite yet wanted three months of
that age. This interval Norvins obtained leave to pass at Frankfort;
and now they went about to all public places together as betrothed; paid
visits in company, and were recognised by all their acquaintances as
engaged to each other.

'Just at this time a French cuirassier regiment marched into garrison
in the town; they were on their way to the south of Germany, and only
detained in Frankfort to make up their full complement of horses. In
this regiment was a young Dutch officer, who once belonged to the same
regiment as Van Halsdt, and who was broke by the court-martial for the
same quarrel They had fought twice with swords, and only parted with the
dire resolve to finish the affair at the next opportunity. This officer
was a man of an inferior class, his family being an obscure one of North
Holland; and thus, when dismissed the service, he had no other resource
than to enter the French army, at that time at war with Austria. He
was said to be a man of overbearing temper and passion, and it was
not likely that the circumstance of his expatriation and disgrace had
improved him. However, some pledge Van Halsdt had made to his father
decided him in keeping out of the way. The report ran that he had given
a solemn promise never to challenge nor accept any challenge from the
other on any pretext whatsoever. Whatever the promise, certain it was he
left Frankfort the same day the regiment marched into town, and retired
to Wiesbaden.

'The circumstance soon became the subject of town gossip, and plenty
there were most willing to attribute Van Halsdt's departure to
prudential motives, rather than to give so wild a character any credit
for filial ones. Several who felt offended at his haughty, supercilious
manner now exulted in this, as it seemed, fall to his pride; and
Norvins, unfortunately, fell into the same track, and by many a sly
innuendo and half allusion to his absence gave greater currency to the
report that his absence was dictated by other considerations than those
of parental respect.

'Through all the chit-chat of the time, Marguerite showed herself highly
indignant at Van Halsdt's conduct. The quiet timid girl, who detested
violence and hated crime in any shape, felt disgusted at the thought
of his poltroonery, and could not hear his name mentioned without an
expression