At the carriage door the Burgomaster presses the Englishman’s hand and whispers: “Every arrangement has been made, drive straight to the ship,” then falters, “You have her in your hands. As you do by my Mina may God do by you. Quick! the tide is now just on the first ebb.” Driving hastily to the Esperanza Guy, boarding the vessel, finds Olins ready with the clearance papers of the ship. Then exhibiting his charter to a custom house officer in waiting, and it being approved, the vessel casts off hastily from the dock and spreading every sail to the breeze, for time is very precious now, the ebb tide bears them down the Schelde. About an hour and a half after this the Esperanza has put the Fort of Lillo behind her and is making for the open ocean, upon which the sailors of Holland claim dominion over the mercenaries of Alva. As he gazes over his quarter at the grinning bombards and culverins of the Spaniard, Chester draws a long breath of relief. He has escaped again from Antwerp; the treasure of the Duke is yet unscathed—though he has gained a hundred kisses—for every one of which he would have risked his life a hundred times. But his men have had no kisses, and guessing they have also gained no treasure, are disposed to grumble. Soon after this to Chester comes the daughter of the merchant, and whispers: “God bless you, for saving me from degradation and the scourge.” “You have perfect confidence in me, I hope?” murmurs the Englishman, looking at the beautiful girl, the fresh sea breeze having brought the roses back to Mina’s cheek. “Yes! You are the friend of Oliver; you would not betray him. You are”—here Miss Wilhelmina stammers, but smiles—“the—the sweetheart of one to whom no one could be untrue.” “Par Dios! who is she?” says Guy, biting his lip. “Doña Hermoine de Alva. Dost remember the bargains I gave to her duenna, Major Guido Amati de Medina?” And the girl laughs quite merrily, though not being accustomed to the sea, laughing is just now becoming a hard matter to her. CHAPTER XIV. THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD. A few hours after this Chester is at Flushing, now held very strongly by ’t Zeraerts for the Prince of Orange. Finding that the Dover Lass has not returned from Ireland, after some little trouble with the authorities, who would make a prize of the Esperanza, did not Chester prove himself “The First of the English” and a brother Gueux, he very shortly leaves this port.