Poor Millicent had always had a feeble
will, which yielded against her judgment and wishes. She had not had
the malady herself, 'But oh! my child,' she said, 'my little Emilia!'
And when I found that the child had not been on the expedition to
Hunderslust, and had not seen her father or sister since they had
been sickening, I ventured to promise that I would take her home, and
the young mother clasped my hand in fervent gratitude.
But we were not prepared for the scene that met us when we drove into
the porte cochere. The place seemed deserted, not a servant was to
be seen but one old wrinkled hag, who hobbled up to the door saying
something in Dutch that made Madame van Hunker clasp her hands and
exclaim: 'All fled! Oh, what shall we do?'
At that moment, however, Dr. Dirkius appeared at the door. He spoke
French, and he explained that he had been sent for about an hour ago,
and no sooner had he detected smallpox than Mynheer's valet had fled
from his master's room and spread the panic throughout the household,
so that every servant, except one scullion and this old woman, had
deserted it. The Dutch have more good qualities than the French,
their opposites, are inclined to believe, but they have also a
headstrong selfishness that seems almost beyond reach. Nor perhaps
had poor Mynheer van Hunker been a master who would win much
affection.
I know not what we should have done if Dr. Dirkius had not helped me
to carry Cornelia to her chamber.
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