also was Lysius; and they said, "Woman, why hast thou deceived us, and thus cast thy life at fortune? Albeit thou hast saved the life of a fellow-creature, we understand it not." She replied, "Stifle your amazement. The gods are above. We two are declared innocent. I know not why, my soul, but I have some hope." Saying this, she took Lysius's hand and kissed it, and a tear fell on it; so she departed. When she touched him he trembled like a child (for he knew her), but was dumb with remorse and wonder. After this time Julia became more peaceful, seeing she had saved her lover's life.

Now, away went Lysius into Athens, full of love and affection for Julia, wondering at himself and the greatness of her act. He came to his steward, gathered his books together, and worked from light till dark, beginning at the peep of morning, and closing only at the shut of day. He examined his accounts, closed with those to whom he owed money, and was red with shame, and shuddered at the wreck of fortune he had strewn upon so barren a strand, while such a woman as Julia would lay down her life for him, though ruined, and a beggar. In the course of one year he had gathered money enough from his former waste to provide for the present in splendour. So he went from Athens like a prince, with choice youth about him, with music and banners, followers, and horsemen, habited in gold and silver apparel, bearing gifts; and, coming to Ravenna, he went to Julia's house and embraced her father.

When she came into the hall she wondered who this stranger could be, but, when he fell at her feet, thanking her for his life, asked pardon for the past, and besought her hand, she shouted and fainted in his arms.

They were married the next day, and lived only for each other; their happiness increasing with their wealth and family.

to-morrow I'll buy neighbour Jan Hagen's two cows, which are the best in Holland."

He crossed the market-place of Delft as he spoke, with an elated and swaggering air, and turned down one of the streets which led out of the city, when a goodly tavern met his eye. Thinking a dram would be beneficial in counteracting the effects of a fog which was just rising, he entered, and called for a glass of schiedam. This was brought, and drank by Peter, who liked the flavour so much that he resolved to try the liquor diluted. Accordingly, a glass of a capacious size was set before him. After a few sips of the pleasing spirit, our farmer took a view of the apartment in which he was sitting, and, for the first time, perceived that the only person in the room besides himself was a young man of melancholy aspect, who sat near the fireplace, apparently half asleep. Now, Peter was of a loquacious turn, and nothing rendered a room more disagreeable to him than the absence of company. He, therefore, took the first opportunity of engaging the stranger in conversation.

"A dull evening, mynheer," said the farmer.

"Yaw!" replied the stranger, stretching himself, and yawning loudly, "very foggy, I take it;" and he rose, and looked into the street.

Peter perceived that his companion wore a dress of dark brown, of the cut of the last century. A thick row of brass buttons ornamented his doublet; so thickly, indeed, were they placed, that they appeared

Q

one stripe of metal. His shoes were high-heeled and square-toed, like those worn by a company of maskers, represented in a picture which hung in Peter's parlour at Voorbooch. The stranger was of a spare figure, and his countenance was, as before stated, pale; but there was a wild brightness in his eye, which inspired the farmer with a feeling of awe.

After taking a few turns up and down the apartments, the stranger drew a chair near to Peter, and sat down.

"Are you a burgher of Delft?" he inquired.

"No!" was the reply; "I am a small farmer, and live in the village of Voorbooch."

"Umph!" said the stranger, "you have a dull road to travel! See! your glass is out. How like ye mine host's schiedam?"

"Tis right excellent."

"You say truly," rejoined the stranger, with a smile, which the farmer thought greatly improved his countenance; "but here is a liquor which no burgomaster in Holland can procure. 'Tis fit for a prince."

He drew forth a phial from the breast of his doublet, and, mixing a small quantity of the red liquid it contained with some water that stood on the table, he poured it into Peter's empty glass. The farmer tasted it, and found it to excel every liquid he had ever drunk. Its effect was soon visible ; he pressed the hand of the stranger with great