"I think, Philip, that in all probability it is true," replied Krantz, carelessly; "but of this you may be assured that she has been placed in a situation of great peril, and has only done so to save herself for your sake. When you meet, depend upon it she will fully prove to you that necessity had compelled her to deceive him in that way, and that if she had not done so, she would, by this time, have fallen a prey to his violence." "It may be so," replied Philip, gravely. "It is so, Philip, my life upon it. Do not for a moment harbour a thought so injurious to one who lives but in your love. Suspect that fond and devoted creature! I blush for you, Philip Vanderdecken." "You are right, and I beg her pardon for allowing such feelings or thoughts to have for one moment overpowered me," responded Philip; "but it is a hard case for a husband, who loves as I do, to hear his wife's name bandied about, and her character assailed by a contemptible wretch like this Commandant." "It is, I grant; but still I prefer even that to a dungeon," replied Krantz, "and so, good-night." For three weeks they remained in the fort, every day becoming more intimate with the Commandant, who often communicated with Krantz, when Philip was not present, turning the conversation upon his love for Amine, and entering into a minute detail of all that had passed. Krantz perceived that he was right in his opinion, and that Amine had only been cajoling the Commandant, that she might escape. But the time passed heavily away with Philip and Krantz, for no vessel made its appearance. "When shall I see her again?" soliloquised Philip one morning as he lolled over the parapet, in company with Krantz. "See! who?" said the Commandant, who happened to be at his elbow. Philip turned round, and stammered something unintelligible. "We were talking of his sister, Commandant," said Krantz, taking his arm, and leading him away.--"Do not mention the subject to my friend, for it is a very painful one, and forms one reason why he is so inimical to the sex. She was married to his intimate friend, and ran away from her husband: it was his only sister; and the disgrace broke his mother's heart, and has made him miserable. Take no notice of it, I beg." "No, no, certainly not; I don't wonder at it: the honour of one's family is a serious affair," replied the Commandant.--"Poor young man, what with his sister's conduct, and the falsehood of his own intended, I don't wonder at his being so grave and silent. Is he of good family, signor?" "One of the noblest in all Holland," replied Krantz;--"he is heir to a large property, and independent by the fortune of his mother; but these two unfortunate events induced him to quit the States secretly, and he embarked for these countries that he might forget his grief." "One of the noblest families?" replied the Commandant;--"then he is under an assumed name--Jacob Vantreat is not his true name, of course."