That afternoon Dirk, filled with a solemn purpose, and dressed in hisbest suit, called at the house in the Bree Straat, where the door wasagain opened by Greta, who looked at him expectantly.
"Is your mistress in?" he stammered. "I have come to see your mistress."
"Alas! Mynheer," answered the young woman, "you are just too late. Mymistress and her aunt, the Vrouw Clara, have gone away to stay for aweek or ten days as the Vrouw Clara's health required a change."
"Indeed," said Dirk aghast, "and where have they gone?"
"Oh! Mynheer, I do not know that, they did not tell me," and no otheranswer could he extract from her.
So Dirk went away discomfited and pondering. An hour later the CaptainMontalvo called, and strange to say proved more fortunate. By hook orby crook he obtained the address of the ladies, who were visiting, itappeared, at a seaside village within the limits of a ride. By a curiouscoincidence that very afternoon Montalvo, also seeking rest and changeof air, appeared at the inn of this village, giving it out that heproposed to lodge there for a while.
As he walked upon the beach next day, whom should he chance to meet butthe Vrouw Clara van Ziel, and never did the worthy Clara spend a morepleasant morning. So at least she declared to Lysbeth when she broughther cavalier back to dinner.
The reader may guess the rest. Montalvo paid his court, and in duecourse Montalvo was refused. He bore the blow with a tender resignation.
"Confess, dear lady," he said, "that there is some other man morefortunate."
Lysbeth did not confess, but, on the other hand, neither did she deny.
"If he makes you happy I shall be more than satisfied," the Countmurmured, "but, lady, loving you as I do, I do not wish to see youmarried to a heretic."
"What do you mean, Senor?" asked Lysbeth, bridling.
"Alas!" he answered, "I mean that, as I fear, the worthy Heer Dirk vanGoorl, a friend of mine for whom I have every respect, although he hasoutstripped me in your regard, has fallen into that evil net."
"Such accusations should not be made," said Lysbeth sternly, "unlessthey can be proved. Even then----" and she stopped.
"I will inquire further," replied the swain. "For myself I accept theposition, that is until you learn to love me, if such should be myfortune. Meanwhile I beg of you at least to look upon me as a friend, atrue friend who would lay down his life to serve you."
Then, with many a sigh, Montalvo departed home to Leyden upon hisbeautiful black horse, but not before he had enjoyed a few minutes'earnest conversation with the worthy Tante Clara.
"Now, if only this old lady were concerned," he reflected as he rodeaway, "the matter might be easy enough, and the Saints know it would beone to me, but unhappily that obstinate pig of a Hollander girl has allthe money in her own right. In what labours do not the necessities ofrank and station involve a man who by disposition requires only ease andquiet! Well, my young friend Lysbeth, if I do not make you pay forthese exertions before you are two months older, my name is not Juan deMontalvo."