Still, in spite of this home trouble, and in spite of the national

anxiety, the winter months went with a delightsome peace and regularity

in the Van Heemskirk household. Neil Semple ceased to visit Katherine

after Joanna's wedding. There was no quarrel, and no interruption to the

kindness that had so long existed between the families; frequently they

walked from kirk together,--Madam Semple and Madam Van Heemskirk, Joris

and the elder, Katherine and Neil. But Neil never again offered her his

hand; and such conversation as they had was constrained and of the most

conventional character.

Very frequently, also, Dominic Van Linden spent the evening with them.

Joris delighted in his descriptions of Java and Surinam; and Lysbet and

Katherine knit their stockings, and listened to the conversation. It was

evident that the young minister was deeply in love, and equally evident

that Katharine's parents favoured his suit. But the lover felt, that,

whenever he attempted to approach her as a lover, Katherine surrounded

herself with an atmosphere that froze the words of admiration or

entreaty upon his lips.

Joris, however, spoke for him. "He has told me how truly he loves thee.

Like an honest man he loves thee, and he will make thee a wife honoured

of many. No better husband can thou have, Katherine." So spoke her

father to her one evening in the early spring, as they stood together

over the budding snowdrops and crocus.

"There is no love in my heart for him, father."

"Neil pleases thee not, nor the dominie. Whom is it thou would have,

then? Surely not that Englishman now? The whole race I

hate,--swaggering, boastful tyrants, all of them. I will not give thee

to any Englishman."

"If I marry not him, then will I stay with thee always."

"Nonsense that is. Thou must marry, like other women. But not him; I

would never forgive thee; I would never see thy face again."

"Very hard art thou to me. I love Richard; can I love this one and then

that one? If I were so light-of-love, contempt I should have from all,

even from thee."

"Now, I have something to say. I have heard that some one,--very like to

thee,--some one went twice or three times with Mrs. Gordon to see the

man when he lay ill at the 'King's Arms.' To such talk, my anger and my

scorn soon put an end; and I will not ask of thee whether it be true, or

whether it be false. For a young girl I can feel."




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