He was a little amused by her enthusiasm.  The Hydes had much plate, old and new, and they were proud of its beauty and excellence, and well aware of its worth; but they were not able to judge of the value of flagons and cups and servers gathered slowly through many generations, every one representing some human drama of love or suffering, or some deed of national significance.  Nearly all of Joris Van Heemskirk’s silver was “storied:”  it was the materialization of honour and patriotism, of self-denial or charity; and the silversmith’s and engraver’s work was the least part of the Van Heemskirk pride in it.

As Joris sat smoking that night, he thought over his proposal; and then for the first time it struck him that the Middleburg cup might have a peculiar significance and value to Bram.  It cost him an effort to put his vague suspicions into words, because by doing so he seemed to give shape and substance to shadows; but when Lysbet sat down with a little sigh of content beside him, and said, “A happy night is this to us, Joris,” he answered, “God is good; always better to us than we trust Him for.  I want to say now what I have been considering the last hour,—­some other cup we will send to the little Joris, for I think Bram will like to have the Middleburg cup best of all.”

“Always Bram has been promised the Guilderland cup and the server that goes with it.”

“That is the truth; but I will tell you something, Lysbet.  The Middelburg cup was given by the Jews of Middleburg to my ancestor because great favours and protection he gave them when he was mayor of the city.  Bram is very often with Miriam Cohen, and”—­

Then Joris stopped, and Lysbet waited anxiously for him to finish the sentence; but he only puffed, puffed, and looked thoughtfully at the bowl of his pipe.

“What mean you, Joris?”

“I think that he loves her.”

“Well?”

“That he would like to marry her.”

“Many things that are impossible, man would like to do:  that is most impossible of all.”

“You think so?”

“I am sure of it.”

“Not impossible was it for Katherine to marry one not of her own race.”

“In my mind it is not race so much as faith.  Far more than race, faith claims.”

“Hyde is a Lutheran.”

“A Lutheran may also be a Christian, I hope, Joris.”

“I judge no man, Lysbet.  I have known Jews that were better Christians than some baptized in the name of Christ and John Calvin,—­Jews who, like the great Jew, loved God, and did to their fellow-creatures as they wished to be done by.  And if you had ever seen Miriam Cohen, you would not make a wonder that Bram loves her.”

“Is she so fair?”

“A beautiful face and gracious ways she has.  Like her the beloved Rachel must have been, I think.  Why do you not stand with Bram as you stood with Katherine?”