Have the Fiench scared you away from
Amsterdam?”
“They have not troubled me in the
ffiast,” replied Woerden. “You know I
care as little for the French as for the
prince of Orange, Politics never interest
me. I come to propose a good specula
tion , ”
“That is well. What is it?” returned
Van Eloerg.
“I have engaged to deliver [400,000 her
rings in a month. Can you furnish them
to me in thren weeks?”
“At what price?”
“Ten florins a thousand.”
“Tm florins! Yee! 1 will under ake to
supply them.”
“Good!” returned Woerden, rubbing
his hands together contentedly, as tne
diningroom door was now open, display
ing the plentiful breakfast whioh awaited
thf m.
After paitaking liberally of the good
things before him, for the long ride had
sharpened his appetite, Master Woerden
glance 1 significantly at the young girl,
who shyly turned her eyes away fro m him
as he began to discuss the question of the
young folks’ marriage. Finding his host
firmly insisting on giving his daughter
only the dowry he had before fixed, Master
Woerden made but a feigned remonstrance
to these terms, and in the end conceded
the disputed point. It was then decided
that the marriage should take place in
eight days.
A i they returned to Amsterdam the nex*
day, William ventured to ask his father
why he had thus agreed to Master Van E -
barg’s terms.
‘My son,” replied Master WorJen
gravely, “do not disturb me about
triple®. This contract for herrings is
a serious matter and requires ail ray
thoughts.”
Once more in his own house, Master
Woerden shut himself up for hours in his
own rocm, and when he at length came
forth he his servant a large package
of letters to mail.
