e who was Ramiro's next of kin was likely to adorn this world.

Till he had something that was worth inheriting, perhaps.

CHAPTER XXVII

WHAT ELSA SAW IN THE MOONLIGHT

It will be remembered that some weeks before Elsa's forced marriage
in the Red Mill, Foy, on their escape from the Gevangenhuis, had been
carried upon the naked back of Martin to the shelter of Mother Martha's
lair in the Haarlemer Meer. Here he lay sick many days, for the sword
cut in his thigh festered so badly that at one time his life was
threatened by gangrene, but, in the end, his own strength and healthy
constitution, helped with Martha's simples, cured him. So soon as he was
strong again, accompanied by Martin, he travelled into Leyden, which
now it was safe enough for him to visit, since the Spaniards were driven
from the town.

How his young heart swelled as, still limping a little and somewhat
pale from recent illness, he approached the well-known house in the Bree
Straat, the home that sheltered his mother and his love. Presently he
would see them again, for the news had been brought to him that Lysbeth
was out of danger and Elsa must still be nursing her.

Lysbeth he found indeed, turned into an old woman by grief and sore
sickness, but Elsa he did not find. She had vanished. On the previous
night she had gone out to take the air, and returned no more. What had
become of her none could say. All the town talked of it, and his mother
was half-crazed with anxiety and fear, fear of the worst.

Hither and thither they went inquiring, seeking, tracking, but no trace
of Elsa could they discover. She had been seen to pass the Morsch poort;
then she disappeared. For a while Foy was mad. At length he grew calmer
and began to think. Drawing from his pocket the letter which Martha had
brought to him on the night of the church-burning, he re-read it in
the hope of finding a clue, since it was just possible that for private
reasons Elsa might have set out on some journey of her own. It was a
very sweet letter, telling him of her deep joy and gratitude at his
escape; of the events that had happened in the town; of the death of his
father in the Gevangenhuis, and ending thus:

"Dear Foy, my betrothed, I cannot come to you because of your mother's
sickness, for I am sure that it would be your wish, as it is my desire
and duty, that I should stay to nurse her. Soon, however, I hope that
you will be able to come to her and me. Yet, in these drea