d: it was his only sister; and the disgrace broke his mother's
heart, and has made him miserable. Take no notice of it, I beg."

"No, no, certainly not; I don't wonder at it: the honour of one's family
is a serious affair," replied the commandant.--"Poor young man, what
with his sister's conduct, and the falsehood of his own intended, I
don't wonder at his being so grave and silent. Is he of good family,
signor?"

"One of the noblest in all Holland," replied Krantz;--"he is heir to a
large property, and independent by the fortune of his mother; but these
two unfortunate events induced him to quit the States secretly, and he
embarked for these countries that he might forget his grief."

"One of the noblest families?" replied the commandant;--"then he is
under an assumed name--Jacob Vancheat is not his true name, of course."

"Oh, no," replied Krantz;--"that it is not, I assure you; but my lips
are sealed on that point."

"Of course, except to a friend who can keep a secret. I will not ask it
now. So he is really noble?"

"One of the highest families in the country, possessing great wealth and
influence--allied to the Spanish nobility by marriage."

"Indeed!" rejoined the commandant, musing--"I dare say he knows many of
the Portuguese as well."

"No doubt of it, they are all more or less connected."

"He must prove to you a most valuable friend, Signor Richter."

"I consider myself provided for for life as soon as we return home. He
is of a very grateful, generous disposition, as he would prove to you,
should you ever fall in with him."

"I have no doubt of it; and I can assure you that I am heartily tired of
staying in this country. Here I shall remain probably for two years
more before I am relieved, and then shall have to join my regiment at
Goa, and not be able to obtain leave to return home without resigning my
commission. But he is coming this way."

After this conversation with Krantz, the alteration in the manner of the
Portuguese commandant, who had the highest respect for nobility, was
most marked. He treated Philip with a respect which was observable to
all in the fort; and which was, until Krantz had explained the cause, a
source of astonishment to Philip himself. The commandant often
introduced the subject to Krantz, and sounded him as to whether his
conduct towards Philip had been such as to have made a favourable
impression; for the little man now hoped, that through such an
influenti