When he had drawn him aside, he said to him in a broken voice, "Good Martin, watch over her for me! She is my wife; yet I leave her.

See Martin! here is gold--it was for my journey; it is no use my asking her to take it--she would not; but you will for her, will you not?
Oh, Heaven! and is this all I can do for her?
Money?
But poverty is a curse.

You will not let her want for anything, dear Martin?
The burgomaster's silver is enough for me." "Thou art a good lad, Gerard.

Neither want nor harm shall come to her.
I care more for her little finger than for all the world; and were she nought to me, even for thy sake would I be a father to her.

Go with a stout heart, and God be with thee going and coming." And the rough soldier wrung Gerard's hand, and turned his head away, with unwonted feeling.
After a moment's silence he was for going back to Margaret, but Gerard stopped him.