whose seed was planted amid the deepest misery, conflict and calamity,
has borne the noblest fruits for humanity, still bears them, and if it is
the will of God will continue to bear them for centuries.

.......................

On the twenty-sixth of July, 1581, seven years after the rescue of
Leyden, Holland and Zealand, whose political independence had already
been established for six years, proclaimed themselves at the Hague free
from Spain.  Hitherto, William of Orange had ruled as King Philip's
"stadtholder," and even the war against the monarch had been carried on
in his name.  Nay, the document establishing the University, a paper,
which with all the earnestness that dictated it, deserves to be called
an unsurpassed masterpiece of the subtlest political irony, purported
to issue from King Philip's mouth, and it sounds amusing enough to read
in this paper, that the gloomy dunce in the Escurial, after mature
deliberation with his dear and faithful cousin, William of Orange,
has determined to found a freeschool and university, from motives,
which could not fail to seem abominable to the King.

On the twenty-fourth of July this game ceased, allegiance to Philip was
renounced, and the Prince assumed sovereign authority.

Three days after, these joyful events were celebrated by a splendid
banquet at Herr Van der Werff's house.  The windows of the dining-room
were thrown wide open, and the fresh breeze of the summer night fanned
the brows of the guests, who had assembled around the burgomaster's
table.  They were the most intimate friends of the family: Janus Dousa,
Van Hout, the learned Doctor Grotius of Delft, who to Maria's delight had
been invited to Leyden as a professor, and this very year filled the
office of President of the new University, the learned tavern-keeper
Aquarius, Doctor Bontius, now professor of medicine at the University,
and many others.

The musician Wilhelm was also present, but no longer alone; beside him
sat his beautiful, delicate wife, Anna d'Avila, with whom he had recently
returned from Italy.  He had borne for several years the name of Van
Duivenbode (messenger-dove), which the city had bestowed on him, together
with a coat of arms bearing three blue doves on a silver field and two
crossed keys.

With the Prince's consent the legacies bequeathed by old Fraulein Van
Hoogstraten to her relatives and servants, had been paid, and Wilhelm now
occupied with his wife a beautiful new house, that did not lack a
dovecote, and where Maria, though her four children gave her little time,
took part in many a madrigal.  The musician had much to say about Rome
and his beautiful sister-in-law Henrica, to Adrian, now a fine young man,
who had graduated at the University and was soon to be admitted to the
council.  Belotti, after the death of the young girl's father, who had
seen and blessed Anna again, went to Italy with her, where she lived as
superior of a secular institution, where music was cultivated with
special devotion.

Barbara did not appear among the guests.  She had plenty to do in the
kitchen.  Her white caps were now plaited with almost coquettish skill
and care, and the firm, contented manner in which she ruled Trautchen and
the two under maid-servants showed that everything was going on well in
Peter's house and business.  It was worth while to do a great deal for
the guests upstairs.  Junker von Warmond was among them, and had been
given the seat of honor between Doctor Grotius and Janus Dousa, the first
trustee of the University, for he had become a great nobleman and
influential statesman, who found much difficulty in getting time to leave
the Hague and attend the banquet with his young assistant, Nicolas Van
Wibisma.  He drank to Meister Aquanus as eagerly and gaily as ever,
exclaiming:

"To old times and our friend, Georg von Dornburg."

"With all my heart," replied the landlord.  "We haven't heard of his bold
deeds and expeditions for a long time."

"Of course!  The fermenting wine is now clear.  Dornburg is in the
English service, and four weeks ago I met him as a member of her British
Majesty's navy in London.  His squadron is now on the way to Venice.
He still cherishes an affectionate memory of Leyden, and sends kind
remembrances to you, but you would never recognize in the dignified
commander and quiet, cheerful man, our favorite in former days.  How
often his enthusiastic temperament carried him far beyond us all, and how
it would make the heart ache to see him brooding mournfully over his
secret grief."

"I met the Junker in Delft," said Doctor Grotius.  "Such enthusiastic
natures easily soar too high and then get a fall, but when they yoke
themselves to the chariot of work and duty, their strength moves vast
burdens, and with cheerful superiority conquers the hardest obstacles."

Meantime Adrian, at a sign from his father, had risen and filled the
glasses with the best wine.  The "hurrah," led by the Burgomaster, was
given to the Prince, and Janus Dousa followed it by a toast to the
independence and liberty of their native land.

Van Hout devoted a glass to the memory of the days of trouble, and the
city's marvellous deliverance.  All joined in the toast, and after the
cheers had died away, Aquanus said:

"Who would not gladly recall the exquisite Sunday of October third; but
when I think of the misery that preceded it, my heart contracts, even at
the present day."

At these words Peter clasped Maria's hand, pressed it tenderly, and
whispered:

"And yet, on the saddest day of my life, I found my best treasure."

"So did I!"  she replied, gazing gratefully into his faithful eyes.






ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS FOR THE ENTIRE "BURGOMASTER'S WIFE":

A blustering word often does good service
Art ceases when ugliness begins
Debts, but all anxiety concerning them is left to the creditors
Despair and extravagant gayety ruled her nature by turns
Drinking is also an art, and the Germans are masters of it
Hat is the sign of liberty, and the free man keeps his hat on
Held in too slight esteem to be able to offer an affront
Here the new custom of tobacco-smoking was practised
Must take care not to poison the fishes with it
Repos ailleurs
Standing still is retrograding
The shirt is closer than the coat
The best enjoyment in creating is had in anticipation
Those two little words 'wish' and 'ought'
To whom fortune gives once, it gives by bushels
To whom the emotion of sorrow affords a mournful pleasure
Wet inside, he can bear a great deal of moisture without
Youth calls 'much,' what seems to older people 'little'