CHAPTER XXIV.
Peter had promised Henrica, to request the council to give herpermission to leave the city.
It was hard for her to part from the burgomaster's household. Maria'sfrank nature exerted a beneficial influence; it seemed as if her respectfor her own sex increased in her society. The day before she had heardher sing. The young wife's voice was like her character. Every noteflawless and clear as a bell, and Henrica grieved that she should beforbidden to mingle her own voice with her hostess's. She was very sorryto leave the children too. Yet she was obliged to go, on Anna's account,for her father could not be persuaded by letters to do anything. Hadshe appealed to him in writing to forgive his rejected child, he wouldhardly have read the epistle to the end. Something might more easily bewon from him through words, by taking advantage of a favorable moment.She must have speech with him, yet she dreaded the life in his castle,especially as she was forced to acknowledge, that she too was by nomeans necessary to her father. To secure the inheritance, he had senther to a terrible existence with her aunt; while she lay dangerouslyill, he had gone to a tournament, and the letter received from him theday before, contained nothing but the information that he was refusedadmittance to the city, and a summons for her to go to Junker deHeuter's house at the Hague. Enclosed was a pass from Valdez, enjoiningall King Philip's soldiers to provide for her safety.
The burgomaster had intended to have her conveyed in a litter,accompanied by a flag of truce, as far as the Spanish lines, and thedoctor no longer opposed her wish to travel. She hoped to leave thatday.
Lost in thought, she stationed herself in the baywindow and gazed outinto the court-yard. Several windows in the building on the eastern sidestood open. Trautchen must have risen early, for she came out of therooms arranged for Georg's occupation, followed by a young assistantcarrying various scrubbing utensils. Next Jan appeared with a largearm-chair on his head. Bessie ran after the Frieselander, calling:
"Aunt Barbel's grandfather's chair; where will she take her afternoonnap?"
Henrica had heard the words, and thought first of good old "Babetta,"who could also feel tenderly, then of Maria and the man who was to lodgein the rooms opposite. Were there not some loose threads still remainingof the old tie, that had united the burgomaster's wife to the handsomenobleman? A feeling of dread overpowered her. Poor Meister Peter, poorMaria!
Was it right to abandon the young wife, who had held out a savinghand in her distress? Yet how much nearer was her own sister than thisstranger! Each day that she allowed herself to linger in this peacefulasylum, seemed like a theft from Anna--since she had read in a letterfrom her to her husband, the only one the dead man's pouch contained,that she was ill and sunk in poverty with her child.
Help was needed here, and no one save herself could offer it.
With aid from Barbara and Maria, she packed her clothes. At nooneverything was ready for her departure, and she would not be withheldfrom eating in the dining-room with the family. Peter was prevented fromcoming to dinner, Henrica took his seat and, under the mask of loud,forced mirth, concealed the grief and anxieties that filled her heart.At twilight Maria and the children followed her into her room, and shenow had the harp brought and sang. At first her voice failed to reachmany a note, but as the snow falling from the mountain peaks to theplains at first slides slowly, then rapidly increases in bulk and power,her tones gradually gained fulness and irresistible might and, whenat last she rested the harp against the wall and walked to the chairexhausted, Maria clasped her hand and said with deep emotion:
"Stay with us, Henrica."
"I ought not," replied the girl.
"You are enough for each other. Shall I take you with me, children?"Adrian lowered his eyes in embarrassment, but Bessie jumped into herlap, exclaiming.
"Where are you going? Stay with us."
Just at that moment some one knocked at the door, and Peter entered.It was evident that he brought no good tidings. His request had beenrefused. The council had almost unanimously voted an assent to VanBronkhorst's proposition, that the young lady, as a relation ofprominent friends of Spain among the Netherland nobility, should be keptin the city. Peter's representations were unheeded; he now frankly toldHenrica what a conflict he had had, and entreated her to have patienceand be content to remain in his house as a welcome guest.
The young girl interrupted him with many a passionate exclamation ofindignation, and when she grew calmer, cried:
"Oh, you men, you men! I would gladly stay with you, but you know fromwhat this base deed of violence detains me. And then: to be a prisoner,to live weeks, months, without mass and without confession. Yet firstand last-merciful Heavens, what will become of my unfortunate sister?"
Maria gazed beseechingly at Peter, and the latter said:
"If you desire the consolations of your religion, I will send FatherDamianus to you, and you can hear mass with the Grey Sisters, who livebeside us, as often as you desire. We are not fighting against yourreligion, but for the free exercise of every faith, and the whole citystands open to you. My wife will help you bear your anxiety about yoursister far better than I could do, but let me say this: wherever andhowever I can help you, it shall be done, and not merely in words."
So saying, he held out his hand to Henrica. She gave him hers,exclaiming:
"I have cause to thank you, I know, but please leave me now and give metime to think until tomorrow."
"Is there no way of changing the decision of the council?" Maria askedher husband.
"No, certainly not."
"Well, then," said the young wife earnestly, "you must remain our guest.Anxiety for your sister does not cloud your pleasure alone, but saddensme too. Let us first of all provide for her. How are the roads toDelft?"
"They are cut, and no one will be able to pass after to-morrow or theday after."
"Then calm yourself, Henrica, and let us consider what is to be done."
The questions and counter-questions began, and Henrica gazed inastonishment at the delicate young wife, for with unerring resolutionand keenness, she held the first voice in the consultation. The surestmeans of gaining information was to seek that very day a reliablemessenger, by whom to send Anna d'Avila money, and if possible bring herto Holland. The burgomaster declared himself ready to advance from hisown property, a portion of the legacy bequeathed Henrica's sisterby Fraulein Van Hoogstraten, and accepted his guest's thanks withoutconstraint.
"But whom could they send?"
Henrica thought of Wilhelm; he was her sister's friend.
"But he is in the military service," replied the burgomaster. "I knowhim. He will not desert the city in these times of trouble, not even forhis mother."
"But I know the right messenger," said Maria. "We'll send Junker Georg."
"That's a good suggestion," said Peter. "We shall find him in hislodgings. I must go to Van Hout, who lives close by, and will send theGerman to you. But my time is limited, and with such gentlemen, fairwomen can accomplish more than bearded men. Farewell, dear Fraulein,once more--we rejoice to have you for our guest."
When the burgomaster had left the room, Henrica said:
"How quickly, and how differently from what I expected, all thishas happened. I love you. I am under obligations to you, but to beimprisoned, imprisoned. The walls will press upon me, the ceiling willseem like a weight. I don't know whether I ought to rejoice or despair.You have great influence with the Junker. Tell him about Anna, touch hisheart, and if he would go, it would really be best for us both."
"You mean for you and your sister," replied Maria with a repellentgesture of the hand. "There is the lamp. When the Junker comes, we shallsee each other again."
Maria went to her room and threw herself on the couch, but soon rose andpaced restlessly to and fro. Then stretching out her clasped hands, sheexclaimed:
"Oh, if he would only go, if he would only go! Merciful God! Kind,gracious Father in Heaven, grant him every happiness, every blessing,but save my peace of mind; let h
im go, and lead him far, far away fromhere."