“Not at all,” whispers Guy. Then he adds savagely: “Shut your chattering teeth till you hear,” and seizing Niklaas’s arm leads him to private converse. “So you recognized me?” the Englishman says under his breath. “Yes, but you are dead. The news came months ago to Antwerp that Colonel Guido Amati was killed at the battle on the ice in combat with ‘The First of the English.’” “No, I’ve recovered from my wounds!” “Then, unfortunate man, if they discover you, a colonel in the Spanish army, here, you’re no better than dead. But I will not betray you,” mutters Bodé Volcker. “You saved my child once, to take her where she is worse off.” Then he cries, wringing his hands: “Save her again, my Mina! She’s in Haarlem, a refugee from justice. If they take the city it is her death. You have Alva’s ear, plead with him. You have influence with his daughter, speak to her!” “That is unnecessary,” answers Guy, “I have saved your daughter already.” “Saved her? How? Where? “Right here at the Gilded Tower.” “Here! In Gods naam! You have saved her? Take me to her, my Mina who was lost—my Mina who is found!” And the old man, delirious with joy, fondles Guy’s hand and invokes blessings upon him. A minute after he turns to fly to the child he had grieved for, but Guy stays him and says: “First I must tell you something.” “What is it? Don’t keep me.” “Only for her sake,” he answers, and pours out his tale of Oliver’s death, then whispers: “Tell it to her—I tried but could not.” In his story Chester is compelled to reveal to the merchant who he really is, and this seems to take more hold upon Bodé Volcker than even the painter’s death. He gasps astounded: “You! ‘The First of the English?’ You! You came to Antwerp—did mortal man ever take such risk? Ten thousand crowns are now put upon your head since the battle on the ice. Why did you take such risk?” Here he suddenly cries: “Oh! Bij den hemel! I see. You’re in love with Alva’s daughter.” “Yes,” says Guy, who feels that he has now put this man under such obligation that his secret is safe with him. “She is my affianced wife, I am going to marry the Duke’s daughter.” “Then you must hurry, young man, you must hurry,” says Bodé Volcker solemnly. “Why?” “Because—Ah I guess the reason now!—it was after the death of Guido Amati—she has become religious. It is said she will become a nun.” “A NUN!” screams Guy. “Because she’s heard that Guido Amati is dead. This is a rare and cruel joke!” and bursts, with sinking heart and sickening soul, into hideous laughter, jeering at himself, as Bodé Volcker hurries away to take his daughter once more to his arms. BOOK III. THE DUKE’S UNLUCKY PENNY. CHAPTER XVIII. “IS IT A DREAM?”