e astonished heads below.
Down came records, like wounded wild-ducks; some collapsed, others
fluttering, and others spread out and wheeling slowly down in airy
circles. They had hardly settled, when again the sepulchral roar was
heard--"Parchment--parchment!" and down pattered and sailed another
flock of documents: another followed: they whitened the grass. Finally,
the fire-headed imp, with his light body and horny hands, slid down the
rope like a falling star, and (business before sentiment) proposed to
his rescued brother an immediate settlement for the merchandise he had
just delivered.

"Hush!" said Gerard; "you speak too loud. Gather them up, and follow us
to a safer place than this."

"Will you come home with me, Gerard?" said little Kate.

"I have no home."

"You shall not say so. Who is more welcome than you will be, after this
cruel wrong, to your father's house?

"Father! I have no father," said Gerard sternly. "He that was my father
is turned my gaoler. I have escaped from his hands; I will never come
within their reach again."

"An enemy did this, and not our father."

And she told him what she had overheard Cornelis and Sybrandt say. But
the injury was too recent to be soothed. Gerard showed a bitterness of
indignation he had hitherto seemed incapable of.

"Cornelis and Sybrandt are two ill curs that have shown me their teeth
and their heart a long while; but they could do no more. My father it is
that gave the burgomaster authority, or he durst not have laid a finger
on me, that am a free burgher of this town. So be it, then. I was his
son. I am his prisoner. He has played his part. I shall play mine.
Farewell the burgh where I was born, and lived honestly and was put in
prison. While there is another town left in creation, I'll never trouble
you again, Tergou."

"Oh! Gerard! Gerard!"

Margaret whispered her: "Do not gainsay him now. Give his choler time to
cool!"

Kate turned quickly towards her. "Let me look at your face?" The
inspection was favourable, it seemed, for she whispered: "It is a comely
face, and no mischief-maker's."

"Fear me not," said Margaret, in the same tone. "I could not be happy
without your love, as well as Gerard's."

"These are comfortable words," sobbed Kate. Then, looking up, she said,
"I little thought to like you so well. My heart is willing, but my
infirmity will not let me embrace you."

At this hint, Margaret wound gently round Gerard's sister, and kisse