"To-day?
But dear me! It's so late; perhaps she is asleep, the gentlemen are here, and our spare bed--" exclaimed Maria, glancing disapprovingly and irresolutely from the physician to her husband.
"Calm yourself; child," replied Peter.

"The doctor has ordered a covered litter from St.Catharine's hospital, Jan and one of the city-guard will carry her, and Barbara has nothing more to do in the kitchen and is now preparing her own chamber for her." "And," chimed in the physician, "perhaps the sick girl may find sleep here.

Besides, it will be far more agreeable to her pride to be carried through the streets unseen, under cover of the darkness." "Yes, yes," said Maria sadly, "that may be so; but I had been thinking--People ought not to do anything too hastily." "Will you be glad to receive the young lady as a guest ?" asked Peter.
"Why, certainly." "Then we won't do things by halves, but show her all the kindness in our power.

There is Barbara beckoning; the litter has come, Doctor.

Guide the nocturnal procession in God's name, but don't keep us waiting too long." The burgomaster returned to his seat, and Bontius left the room.
Maria followed him.