Lost in thought, she stationed herself in the baywindow and gazed out into the court-yard.  Several windows in the building on the eastern side stood open.  Trautchen must have risen early, for she came out of the rooms arranged for Georg’s occupation, followed by a young assistant carrying various scrubbing utensils.  Next Jan appeared with a large arm-chair on his head.  Bessie ran after the Frieselander, calling: 

“Aunt Barbel’s grandfather’s chair; where will she take her afternoon nap?”

Henrica had heard the words, and thought first of good old “Babetta,” who could also feel tenderly, then of Maria and the man who was to lodge in the rooms opposite.  Were there not some loose threads still remaining of the old tie, that had united the burgomaster’s wife to the handsome nobleman?  A feeling of dread overpowered her.  Poor Meister Peter, poor Maria!

Was it right to abandon the young wife, who had held out a saving hand in her distress?  Yet how much nearer was her own sister than this stranger!  Each day that she allowed herself to linger in this peaceful asylum, seemed like a theft from Anna—­since she had read in a letter from her to her husband, the only one the dead man’s pouch contained, that she was ill and sunk in poverty with her child.

Help was needed here, and no one save herself could offer it.

With aid from Barbara and Maria, she packed her clothes.  At noon everything was ready for her departure, and she would not be withheld from eating in the dining-room with the family.  Peter was prevented from coming to dinner, Henrica took his seat and, under the mask of loud, forced mirth, concealed the grief and anxieties that filled her heart.  At twilight Maria and the children followed her into her room, and she now had the harp brought and sang.  At first her voice failed to reach many a note, but as the snow falling from the mountain peaks to the plains at first slides slowly, then rapidly increases in bulk and power, her tones gradually gained fulness and irresistible might and, when at last she rested the harp against the wall and walked to the chair exhausted, Maria clasped her hand and said with deep emotion: 

“Stay with us, Henrica.”

“I ought not,” replied the girl.

“You are enough for each other.  Shall I take you with me, children?” Adrian lowered his eyes in embarrassment, but Bessie jumped into her lap, exclaiming.

“Where are you going?  Stay with us.”

Just at that moment some one knocked at the door, and Peter entered.  It was evident that he brought no good tidings.  His request had been refused.  The council had almost unanimously voted an assent to Van Bronkhorst’s proposition, that the young lady, as a relation of prominent friends of Spain among the Netherland nobility, should be kept in the city.  Peter’s representations were unheeded; he now frankly told Henrica what a conflict he had had, and entreated her to have patience and be content to remain in his house as a welcome guest.