Vanslyperken returned on board intoxicated with his success. On his arrival, he was informed that a messenger had been sent for him, but no one knew where to find him, and that he must be at the admiral's early the next morning, and have all ready for immediate sailing. This was rather annoying, but there was no help for it. The next day Vanslyperken went to the admiral's, and received orders to sail immediately to the Hague with despatches of consequence, being no less than an answer from King William to the States General. Mr Vanslyperken proceeded from the admiral's to the charming widow, to whom he imparted this unwelcome intelligence. She, of course, was grave, and listened to his protestations with her little finger in her mouth, and a pensive, down-cast eye. "How long will you be away?" inquired she. "But a week or ten days at the farthest. I shall fly back to see you again." "But, tell me the truth, have you no acquaintances there?--now, tell me the truth. I don't mean men." "Upon my honour, fair widow, I don't know a single woman there," replied Vanslyperken, pleased with this little appearance of jealousy; "but I'm afraid that I must leave you, for the admiral is very severe." "Will you do me one favour, Mr Vanslyperken?" "Anything:--ask what you will." "I want this letter forwarded to my brother--I am very anxious about it. The French agent there will send it on;--it is enclosed to him. Will you do me that favour, my dear sir?--I'm sure you will if----" "If what?" "If you love me," replied the widow, laying her hand upon Vanslyperken. "I will, most certainly," said Vanslyperken, taking the letter and putting it in his pocket. "Then I shall ask you another," said the widow. "You will think me very foolish, but there may be an opportunity--will you write to me--just a few lines--only to tell me that you have given the letter, that's all--and to say how you are--don't you think me very foolish?" "I will write, dearest, since you wish it--and now, good-bye." Vanslyperken took the widow round the waist, and after a little murmuring and reluctance, was permitted to snatch a kiss. Her eyes followed him mournfully till he shut the door and disappeared, and then Nancy Corbett gave way to unbounded mirth. "So the fool has bit already," thought she; "now if he only writes to me, and I get his acknowledgment of having delivered the letter, the beast is in my power, and I can hang him any day I please. Upon his honour, he did not know a single woman there:--Lord have mercy!--what liars men are--but we can sometimes beat them with their own weapons." And Nancy's thoughts reverted to her former life, which she now dwelt upon with pain and sorrow.