"You have heard more than you need listen to. I talked to the man an

hour last night. He is as honest as a looking-glass, and I read him all

through with the greatest ease. I am sure that he has a heart very

tender, and devoid of anger or prejudice of any kind."

"That is to be seen. I have discovered already that men who can be very

gentle can also be very rough. But this suspense is intolerable, and not

to be borne. I will go and end it. Pray, what is the hour?"

"It is about three o'clock; a very suitable hour, I think."

"Then give me your good wishes."

"I shall be impatient to hear the result."

"In an hour or two."

"Oh, sir, I am not so foolish as to expect you in an hour or two! When

you have spoken with the father, you will doubtless go home with him and

drink a dish of tea with your divinity. I can imagine your unreasonable

felicity, Dick,--seas of milk, and ships of amber, and all sails set for

the desired haven! I know it all, so I hope you will spare me every

detail,--except, indeed, such as relate to pounds, shillings, and

pence."

It was a very hot afternoon; and Van Heemskirk's store, though open to

the river-breezes, was not by any means a cool or pleasant place. Bram

was just within the doors, marking "Boston" on a number of

flour-barrels, which were being rapidly transferred to a vessel lying at

the wharf. He was absorbed and hurried in the matter, and received the

visitor with rather a cool courtesy; but whether the coolness was of

intention or preoccupation, Captain Hyde did not perceive it. He asked

for Councillor Van Heemskirk, and was taken to his office, a small room,

intensely warm and sunny at that hour of the day.

"Your servant, Captain."

"Yours, most sincerely, Councillor. It is a hot day."

"That is so. We come near to midsummer. Is there anything I can oblige

you in, sir?"

Joris asked the question because the manner of the young man struck him

as uneasy and constrained; and he thought, "Perhaps he has come to

borrow money." It was notorious that his Majesty's officers gambled, and

were often in very great need of it; and, although Joris had not any

intention of risking his gold, he thought it as well to bring out the

question, and have the refusal understood before unnecessary politeness

made it more difficult. He was not, therefore, astonished when Captain

Hyde answered,-"Sir, you can indeed oblige me, and that in a matter of the greatest

moment."




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