'This is well,' said Eustace, as he looked out. 'I thank God for
this! It will be all the better for her that such a good work is
begun.'
'Nay,' said I, 'but what will the poor things do when she loses old
Hunkers's gold?'
'Sister,' said Eustace, 'I have left this too long, but I thought you
understood that I am never like to wed my poor Millicent.'
'Dirkius?' I said.
'Dirkius does but confirm what I have known ever since the spring,
and so have you too, Nan, that it would be a miracle should I be here
after this winter.'
I had known it by my inner conviction, and heard him say the like
often before; it was only a fancied outward hope that had been
sustaining me, and I could obey when he bade me look cheerfully on
Millicent, and remember the joy it was to him to see her at all, and,
above all, employed in such tasks as would bring comfort to her.
The great Dutch house seemed full of English. Gentlewomen were
sitting in the tapestried hall, spinning or working with their
needle. We had been known to one or two of them in former times, and
while they greeted us word was taken to Madame van Hunker that we
were there, and a servant brought us word to ask us to come to her in
her own parlour. There, up a few shallow steps, in a quiet, cool,
wainscoted room, adorned with Eastern porcelain on shelves, we found
her with her little daughter at her knee.
She met us at the door with a few faltering words, excusing herself
for having given us the trouble to come to her.
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