"Yes, Mevrouw. But for her, I should have done desperate things. She prevented me. She is a brave girl." Then he told her still more of Marjon. Countess Dolores believed him, and became more friendly. In that caressing voice which had caused Johannes so much unhappiness, and which even now completely fascinated him, she asked: "And why were you so desperate, my boy?" "Do you not understand? It was because of what you told me yesterday." She understood well enough, and Johannes thought it charming in her to be willing to listen so kindly. But although she felt flattered she pretended not to know what he meant--as if such an idea were unthinkable. "But how can that make you feel so desperate, my boy? I have not said, however, that you must leave my house on account of it." "If that should take place, Mevrouw, do you fancy that I could remain with you? Did you think I could endure that? But it is not going to be, is it? It was only a jest. Tell me that it was! You were only teasing me! Tell me that you were only teasing me!" It was all too clear now, and she could dissemble no longer. Half in kindness, half in compassion, she said: "But, my boy, my boy, what has got into your head?" Johannes rested his hand on her arm, and asked, imploringly: "You were not in earnest, were you?" But she freed her arm gently, saying: "Yes, Johannes, I was in earnest." And now he knew that he was hoping against hope. "Is there no hope for me?" The countess smilingly shook her head. "No, dear boy, not the least. Put the thought quite away from you." * * * * * The last of the rockets rushed up with a startling hiss, to burst in the black sky with a soft puff, and expire in a shower of brilliant sparks. Then it was all over. The band played "Wilhelmus of Nassau," and the dark throng surged and pressed more vehemently, while on all sides the street-boys whistled shrilly and shouted to one another: "J-a-a-a-n!" and "Gerrèt!" Johannes, stunned by renewed pain, passed on through the cheering like one deafened and stupefied. His hostess, now full of sympathy, said: "Do you remember, Johannes, what we promised Father Canisius? He was to teach you who Jesus is, was he not? Will you go to church with me to-morrow? That will best console you." A wicked thought passed through Johannes' head. He wished to ask a question, but he could not utter the hated name. "Is any one else going?" "Yes, the man to whom I am engaged. He also is now convinced that peace is only to be found in the Holy Church. He is Catholic, as are myself and my children." Johannes said not another word that evening; but he slept more peacefully than the night before. XV