Baron at the same time as a hint to them to
take their departure; but they waited till he had made his bow and
retired, then, after some more agreeable conversation, they also bowed
themselves out of the house.

"Truly," observed the Count, "this has been the pleasantest evening we
have spent since we started on our travels."

"So pleasant that I presume you will wish to spend some more of the same
character," remarked the Baron.

"Indeed I do," said the Count. "For, to confess the truth, I have lost
my heart."

"Have you, indeed!" exclaimed the Baron. "To which of the fair ladies,
may I ask?"

"That remains as yet a secret unknown to myself," said the Count. "They
are both so charming."

"Pray, as soon as you can discover the secret, do not conceal it from
me," said the Baron. "I have particular reasons for asking."

All this time they were not aware that they were closely followed by
some one, who must have heard every word they said. Suddenly the sound
of a footfall reached their ears, and turning they saw a figure, who,
finding that he was discovered, rapidly retreated.

"Stop!" cried the Count, "whoever you are; we wish to have a few words
with you."

"Stop, I say!" repeated the Baron. But their shouts were unheeded, and
neither of them felt inclined to give chase.

"Who can that be?" asked the Count.

"That is the question," answered the Baron. "What do you say to Mynheer
Bunckum? He cast a jealous eye at us, as if he considered we were
rivals."

"Then he should have come up and spoken to us like a man," said the
Count. "We must be on our guard, at all events, for he evidently has no
friendly feeling towards us."

The Count and the Baron met with no further adventures till they reached
the inn.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

The next morning the Count and the Baron rose from their downy slumbers
and took breakfast, to which the Baron paid due attention, as he did, in
truth, to all his meals.

"Now, my dear Baron, what do you say--shall we continue our journey, or
again pay our respects to the estimable family of Van Arent?" asked the
Count.

"At this hour, I fear, from what I know of the habits of the people,
that our visit would not be welcome," said the Baron. "The young ladies
are probably engaged in milking the cows, or making butter, or
superintending the manufacture of cheese. We should catch them in their
working-dresses, and be considered intruders."

"Then the best thing we can