elations of the day. Although Philip had not been aware
in what direction he had walked when he set off from the cottage, he
knew the country well; and now that it was necessary to act, he
remembered the direction in which he should find the lonely house of
Mynheer Poots: with the utmost speed he made his way for it, and in less
than twenty minutes he arrived there out of breath.

As usual, all was silent, and the door fastened. Philip knocked, but
there was no reply. Again and again he knocked, and became impatient.
Mynheer Poots must have been summoned, and was not in the house; Philip
therefore called out so as to be heard within, "Maiden, if your father
is out, as I presume he must be, listen to what I have to say--I am
Philip Vanderdecken. But now I overheard four wretches, who have
planned to murder your father, and rob him of his gold. In one hour, or
less, they will be here, and I have hastened to warn and to protect you,
if I may. I swear upon the relic that you delivered to me this morning,
that what I state is true."

Philip waited a short time, but received no answer.

"Maiden," resumed he, "answer me, if you value that which is more dear
to you than even your father's gold to him. Open the casement above,
and listen to what I have to say. In so doing there is no risk; and
even if it were not dark, already have I seen you."

A short time after this second address, the casement of the upper window
was unbarred, and the slight form of the fair daughter of Mynheer Poots
was to be distinguished by Philip through the gloom.

"What wouldst thou young sir, at this unseemly hour? and what is it thou
wouldst impart, but imperfectly heard by me, when thou spokest this
minute at the door?"

Philip then entered into a detail of all that he had overheard, and
concluded by begging her to admit him, that he might defend her.

"Think, fair maiden, of what I have told you. You have been sold to one
of those reprobates, whose name I think they mentioned was Baetens. The
gold, I know, you value not; but think of thine own dear self--suffer me
to enter the house, and think not for one moment that my story is
feigned. I swear to thee, by the soul of my poor dear mother, now, I
trust, in heaven, that every word is true."

"Baetens, did you say, sir?"

"If I mistook them not, such was the name; he said he loved you once."

"That name I have in memory--I know not what to do, or what to say: my
father has been