“To the devil he sent my dirty guilders, made in dirty trade.  I have not forgot.”

“Joris, the Devil speaks for a man in a passion.  Keep no such words in thy memory.”

“Lysbet?”

“What then, Joris?”

“The drinking-cup of silver, which my father gave us at our marriage,—­the great silver one that has on it the view of Middleburg and the arms of the city.  It was given to my great-grandfather when he was mayor of Middleburg.  His name, also, was Joris.  To my grandson shall I send it?”

“Oh, my Joris, much pleasure would thou give Katherine and me also!  Let the little fellow have it.  Earl of Dorset and Hyde he may be yet.”

Joris blushed vividly, but he answered, “Mayor of New York he may be yet.  That will please me best.”

“Five grandsons hast thou, but this is the first Joris.  Anna has two sons, but for his dead brothers Rysbaack named them.  Cornelia has two sons; but for thee they called neither, because Van Dorn’s father is called Joris, and with him they are great unfriends.  And when Joanna’s son was born, they called him Peter, because Batavius hath a rich uncle called Peter, who may pay for the name.  So, then, Katherine’s son is the first of thy grandchildren that has thy name.  The dear little Joris!  He has blue eyes too; eyes like thine, she says.  Yes, I would to him give the Middleburg cup.  William Newman, the jeweller, will pack it safely, and by the next ship thou can send it to the bankers thou spoke of.  I will tell Katherine so.  But thou, too, write her a letter; for little she will think of her fortune or of the cup, if thy love thou send not with them.”

And Joris had done all that he purposed, and done it without one grudging thought or doubting word.  The cup went, full of good-will.  The money was given as Katherine’s right, and was hampered with no restrictions but the wishes of Joris, left to the honour of Hyde.  And Hyde was not indifferent to such noble trust.  He fully determined to deserve it.  As for Katherine, she desired no greater pleasure than to emphasize her reliance in her husband by leaving the money absolutely at his discretion.  In fact, she felt a far greater interest in the Middleburg cup.  It had always been an object of her admiration and desire.  She believed her son would be proud to point it out and say, “It came from my mother’s ancestor, who was mayor of Middleburg when that famous city ruled in the East India trade, and compelled all vessels with spice and wines and oils to come to the crane of Middleburg, there to be verified and gauged.”  She longed to receive this gift.  She had resolved to put it between the baby fingers of little Joris as soon as it arrived.  “A grand christening-cup it will be,” she exclaimed, with childlike enthusiasm and Hyde kissed her, and promised to send it at once by a trusty messenger.

[Illustration:  Plate old and new]