er on the mind.
I wonder not that Philip feels there is so heavy a secret belonging to
this room--but it must not remain in this condition--it must be occupied
at once."

Amine, who had long been accustomed to attend upon her father, and
perform the household duties, now commenced her intended labours.

Every part of the room, and every piece of furniture in it, were
cleaned; even the cobwebs and dust were cleared away, and the sofa and
table brought from the corner to the centre of the room; the melancholy
little prisons were removed; and when Amine's work of neatness was
complete, and the sun shone brightly into the opened window, the chamber
wore the appearance of cheerfulness.

Amine had the intuitive good sense to feel that strong impressions wear
away when the objects connected with them are removed. She resolved,
then, to make Philip more at ease; for, with all the fire and warmth of
blood inherent in her race, she had taken his image to her heart, and
was determined to win him. Again and again did she resume her labour,
until the pictures about the room, and every other article, looked fresh
and clean.

Not only the birdcages, but the workbox and all the implements, were
removed; and the piece of embroidery, the taking up of which had made
Philip recoil as if he had touched an adder, was put away with the rest.
Philip had left the keys on the floor. Amine opened the buffets,
cleaned the glazed doors, and was busy rubbing up the silver flagons,
when her father came into the room.

"Mercy on me!" exclaimed Mynheer Poots; "and is all that silver?--then
it must be true, and he has thousands of guilders; but where are they?"

"Never do you mind, father; yours are now safe, and for that you have to
thank Philip Vanderdecken."

"Yes, very true; but as he is to live here--does he eat much--what will
he pay me? He ought to pay well, as he has so much money."

Amine's lips were curled with a contemptuous smile, but she made no
reply.

"I wonder where he keeps his money; and he is going to sea as soon as he
can get a ship? Who will have charge of his money when he goes?"

"I shall take charge of it, father," replied Amine.

"Ah--yes--well--we will take charge of it. The ship may be lost."

"No, _we_ will not take charge of it, father: you will have nothing to
do with it. Look after your own."

Amine placed the silver in the buffets, locked the doors, and took the
keys with her when she went out to pr