ip,
had been drawn up by Philip on his passage home, and communicated to the
Court of Directors. Not only on account of the very creditable manner
in which that report had been prepared, but in consideration of his
peculiar sufferings and escape, he had been promised by the Company a
berth, as second mate, on board of one of their vessels, should he be
again inclined to sail to the East Indies.

Having called upon the Directors, he received his appointment to the
Batavia, a fine vessel of about 400 tons burden. Having effected his
purpose, Philip hastened back to Terneuse, and, in the presence of
Mynheer Poots, informed Amine of what he had done.

"So you go to sea again?" observed Mynheer Poots.

"Yes, but not for two months, I expect," replied Philip.

"Ah!" replied Poots, "in two months!" and the old man muttered to
himself.

How true it is that we can more easily bear up against a real evil than
against suspense! Let it not be supposed that Amine fretted at the
thought of her approaching separation from her husband; she lamented it,
but feeling his departure to be an imperious duty, and having it ever in
her mind, she bore up against her feelings, and submitted, without
repining, to what could not be averted. There was, however, one
circumstance, which caused her much uneasiness--that was the temper and
conduct of her father. Amine, who knew his character well, perceived
that he already secretly hated Philip, whom he regarded as an obstacle
to his obtaining possession of the money in the house; for the old man
was well aware that if Philip were dead, his daughter would care little
who had possession of, or what became of it. The thought that Philip
was about to take that money with him had almost turned the brain of the
avaricious old man. He had been watched by Amine, and she had seen him
walk for hours muttering to himself, and not, as usual, attending to his
profession.

A few evenings after his return from Amsterdam, Philip, who had taken
cold, complained of not being well.

"Not well!" cried the old man, starting up; "let me see--yes, your pulse
is very quick. Amine, your poor husband is very ill. He must go to
bed, and I will give him something which will do him good. I shall
charge you nothing, Philip--nothing at all."

"I do not feel so very unwell, Mynheer Poots," replied Philip; "I have a
bad headache certainly."

"Yes, and you have fever also, Philip, and prevention is better than
cu