It was near ten o'clock when Joris came home. His face was troubled, his

clothing disarranged and blood-stained; and Lysbet never remembered to

have seen him so completely exhausted. "Bram is with Neil," he said; "he

will not be home."

"And thou?"

"I helped them carry--the other. To the 'King's Arms' we took him. A

strong man was needed until their work the surgeons had done. I stayed;

that is all."

"Live will he?"

"His right lung is pierced clean through. A bad wound in the throat he

has. At death's door is he, from loss of the blood. But then, youth he

has, and a great spirit, and hope. I wish not for his death, my God

knows."

"Neil, what of him?"

"Unconscious he was when I left him at his home. I stayed not there. His

father and his mother were by his side; Bram also. Does Katherine know?"

"She knows."

"How then?"

"O Joris, if in her room thou could have heard her crying! My heart for

her aches, the sorrowful one!"

"See, then, that this lesson she miss not. It is a hard one, but learn

it she must. If thy love would pass it by, think this, for her good it

is. Many bitter things are in it. What unkind words will now be said!

Also, my share in the matter I must tell in the kirk session; and

Dominie de Ronde is not one slack in giving the reproof. With our own

people a disgrace it will be counted. Can I not hear Van Vleek grumble,

'Well, now, I hope Joris Van Heemskirk has had enough of his fine

English company;' and Elder Brouwer will say, 'He must marry his

daughter to an Englishman; and, see, what has come of it;' and that evil

old woman, Madam Van Corlaer, will shake her head and whisper, 'Yes,

neighbours, and depend upon it, the girl is of a light mind and bad

morals, and it is her fault; and I shall take care my nieces to her

speak no more.' So it will be; Katherine herself will find it so."

"The poor child! Sorry am I she ever went to Madam Semple's to see Mrs.

Gordon. If thy word I had taken, Joris!"

"If my word the elder also had taken. When first, he told me that his

house he would offer to the Gordons, I said to him, 'So foolish art

them! In the end, what does not fit will fight.' If to-night them could

have seen Mistress Gordon when she heard of her nephew's hurt. Without

one word of regret, without one word of thanks, and in a great passion,

she left the house. For Neil she cared not. 'He had been ever an envious

kill-joy. He had ever hated her dear Dick. He had ever been jealous of

any one handsomer than himself. He was a black dog in the manger; and

she hoped, with all her heart, that Dick had done for him.' Beside

herself with grief and passion she was, or the elder had not borne so

patiently her words."




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