the understudy who
has learnt the part, a humble position, but one which may prove useful."

At all of which gibes Adrian winced. But he did not reply, for by now he
had learned that he was no match for his father's bitter wit.

Elsa received the message as she received everything else, in silence.

Three days before, as after a fearful illness during which on several
occasions she was at the very doors of death, Lysbeth van Goorl had been
declared out of danger, Elsa, her nurse, ventured to leave her for a few
hours. That evening the town seemed to stifle her and, feeling that she
needed the air of the country, she passed the Morsch poort and walked a
little way along the banks of the canal, never noticing, poor girl, that
her footsteps were dogged. When it began to grow dusk, she halted and
stood a while gazing towards the Haarlemer Meer, letting her heart go
out to the lover who, as she thought and hoped, within a day or two
would be at her side.

Then it was that something was thrown over her head, and for a while all
was black. She awoke to find herself lying in a boat, and watching her,
two wretches, whom she recognised as those who had assailed her when
first she came to Leyden from The Hague.

"Why have you kidnapped me, and where am I going?" she asked.

"Because we are paid to do it, and you are going to Adrian van Goorl,"
was the answer.

Then she understood, and was silent.

Thus they brought her to this lonesome, murderous-looking place, where
sure enough Adrian was waiting for her, waiting with a lie upon his
lips. Now, doubtless, the end was at hand. She, who loved his brother
with all her heart and soul, was to be given forcibly in marriage to a
man whom she despised and loathed, the vain, furious-tempered traitor,
who, for revenge, jealousy, or greed, she knew not which, had not
hesitated to send his benefactor, and mother's husband, to perish in the
fires of the Inquisition.

What was she to do? Escape seemed out of the question, imprisoned as
she was on the third story of a lofty mill standing in a lonely,
snow-shrouded wilderness, cut off from the sight of every friendly face,
and spied on hour after hour by two fierce-eyed women. No, there was
only one escape for her--through the gate of death. Even this would be
difficult, for she had no weapon, and day and night the women kept guard
over her, one standing sentinel, while the other slept. Moreover, she
had no mind to die, being young and