"I should have said impossible too," interrupted Krantz, who perceived the consequences of Philip's indiscretion, "for had you seen, Commandant, how that woman doted upon her husband, how she fondled him, you would with us have said, it was impossible that she could have transferred her affections so soon; but women are women, and soldiers have a great advantage over other people; perhaps she has some excuse, Commandant.--Here's your health, and success to you." "It is exactly what I would have said," added Philip, acting upon Krantz's plan: "but she has a great excuse, Commandant, when I recollect her husband, and have you in my presence." Soothed with the flattery, the Commandant replied, "Why, yes, they say military men are very successful with the fair sex.--I presume it is because they look up to us for protection, and where can they be better assured of it, than with a man who wears a sword at his thigh.--Come, signors, we will drink her health. Here's to the beautiful Amine Vanderdecken." "To the beautiful Amine Vanderdecken," cried Krantz, tossing off his wine. "To the beautiful Amine Vanderdecken," followed Philip. "But, Commandant, are you not afraid to trust her at Goa, where there are so many enticements for a woman, so many allurements held out for her sex?" "No, not in the least--I am convinced that she loves me--nay, between ourselves, that she doats upon me." "Liar!" exclaimed Philip. "How, signor! is that addressed to me?" cried the Commandant, seizing his sword which lay on the table. "No, no," replied Philip, recovering himself; "it was addressed to her; I have heard her swear to her husband, that she would exist for no other but him." "Ha! ha! Is that all?" replied the Commandant, "my friend, you do not know women." "No, nor is he very partial to them either," replied Krantz, who then leant over to the Commandant and whispered, "He is always so when you talk of women. He was cruelly jilted once, and hates the whole sex." "Then we must be merciful to him," replied the little officer: "suppose we change the subject." When they repaired to their own room, Krantz pointed out to Philip the necessity for his commanding his feelings, as otherwise they would again be immured in the dungeon. Philip acknowledged his rashness, but pointed out to Krantz, that the circumstance of Amine having promised to marry the Commandant, if he procured certain intelligence of his death, was the cause of his irritation. "Can it be so? Is it possible that she can have been so false," exclaimed Philip; "yet his anxiety to procure that document seems to warrant the truth of his assertion."