First performed at the Royal Olympic Theatre, on Monday, September 29th, 1834.
Amersfort.—A military undress.
Peter. —Plain square-cut coat, large buttons, trunk breeches, striped stockings, shoes and buckles, and broad-brimmed hat.
Swyzel —Delve. Ibid.
Ernestine.—Modern walking dress.
Gertrude.—Plain but neat peasant's dress. 2nd Dress: White satin and veil.
Time in Representation—1 hour and 20 minutes.
Do as you're bid, and no reflections. Don't you know the mistress is the master ?
Well, but now really, Mynheer Swyzel—to put out the orange-trees before the white frosts are over—is that common sense ?
What have you to do with common sense ? Nothing at all, or you would not pretend to have more than your mistress. It is Mamzelle Ernestine's pleasure to turn the orangery into a ball-room, and turned it must be.
But the trees will die.
Let 'em die, then—that's their business; yours is to clear the place out, according to order. About it without more words! If she told me to fling all the Schiedam in the cellar into the canal, I should do so, without hesitation.
You'd fling yourself after it, I'm sure.
Not when it was mixed with water, you rogue! or while the baron has money enough to buy more. Come —to work! to work ! or you'll not get the-room ready by midnight.
O, my poor orange trees—they'll die, every one of them!
Silly fellow, to trouble his head about what does not concern him. If his employers take no care for their own interests, why should he fidget about them ? He hasn't the slightest notion of service ! Ah ! here's Peter Swyk.
Well, Peter.
Good morning, Master Steward.
So, you've been to Amsterdam, to buy cattle, I hear?
Ay, and fine beasts they are too, Master Steward: but, talking of beasts, how do you find yourself to-day ? You were rather poorly when I left.
Oh, I'm better, thank you; but I'm not so young as I was thirty years ago—I find that, Peter. Ah ! I envy you, you rogue ! Three-and-twenty—stout-timbered— light-hearted—and rich, I may say; for old Jan Spyk, your father, left you a pretty round sum, I take it ?'
Why, it might have been less, and yet worth having, Master Steward.
Well, and why don't you get a wife now ? All the girls in the neighbourhood are pulling caps for you !
Why, I don't know; they do look at me, somehow, but I'm not smitten with anybody in particular. However, I don't wish to prevent them—they may fall in love with me, then I can choose, you know.
Well, perhaps that's the best way.
Yes, I think so ; as Gertrude said to me, the other day, you don't love anybody in particular, Peter, so you can look about you.
Gertrude—what, our Gertrude ? The simpleton that has the run of the house and gardens, by permission of the baron, because she is the orphan daughter of his old bailiff, and who is always so mighty busy, doing nothing at all, by way of earning the living allowed her! Is she your counsellor ?
Oh, she and I gossip now and then, when we meet. She's a sort of relation of mine—my brother-inlaw's aunt stood godmother to her.
Well, that is a sort of relation, certainly.
And then, you see, simpleton as she is, she has now and then an idea, and that's the only
thing I want—I never have an idea. It's very odd, but I never have what you can really call an
idea—of my own, that is—for I'm quick enough if a person only just—and yesterday, now, I saw
her but for two or three minutes, and I'll be hanged
Oh, yes ; one of our young lady's score of lovers and the best of 'em, too, to my mind; but she's too capricious to make up hers. He's a fine fellow—handsome, clever, gallant—
And landlord of the fine farm of Appledoorn— so Gertrude says.
Ah! and you want to be his tenant, no doubt ?
Why Gertrude thinks—
Well, she's right there—it's a pretty property; but there are several farmers offering.
So she tells me ; but she says that if you were to speak to the captain in my favour—
Well, she's right there, too. If I were to speak—
And will you ?—will you, Master Steward ? I've a keg at home of the finest flavour, which I should be too happy—
Pshaw ! pshaw ! you know if I do anything it's never with a view to benefit myself, Peter; so send me the keg, if it will serve you, and we'll see what can be done about it.
Here comes Gertrude.
Mynheer Swyzel! Mynheer Swyzel!
Well, don't bawl so—you young baggage! What do you want!
To tell me that ?—why I know that ?
No; to tell you—to tell you—how d'ye do, Peter? Are you very well?
Ay, ay!
Will you tell me what you mean to tell me ?
Law! I'd almost forgotten—I'd run so fast. How well Peter looks this morning, don't he ?
Do let Peter alone ! and tell me who wants me— and what for. Is it the wine for breakfast ?
Yes, that's it; you've got the keys of the cellar, and the baron wants some of the best Moselle, to give to Captain Amersfort.
Eh !—Oh! you're here still, are you ?
Thinking about ? Why, I was thinking about Mother Wynk's tavern, where I breakfasted this morning.
What an interesting subject!
Rather. The old vrow worried my life out with "Why don't you get married, farmer Spyk?"—"Why do you live alone in that old house, like an owl in an ivybush ?—"Why don't you take a wife ? You've got money enough to keep one, and you are your own master : you've only to please yourself."
Well, and haven't I told you so over and over again ?
Well, so you have; and I do think if I should get the Appeldoorn Farm, I'll sign a lease and a contract the same day.
But, if you don't get the farm, what does it signify ?—you might marry all the same for that. You've enough without. You needn't wait—that is, if you like anybody well enough to marry them.
Ah, but then I don't know that I do. Now, who is there, in your opinion, that would suit me.
Oh, don't know. I dare say, if I were to choose, I could name somebody.
Well, but let's see now. To begin with the neighbourhood:—I know all the girls here, and I
am sure I can't say—
Very bad, to begin with, and much better to have done with as soon as possible. She is the worst tempered girl in all Utrecht, and as tall as the tower yonder—a great, gawky, sulky thing, just like it.
Ah, well, I don't think she would suit me.— But there's her cousin, Judith—she's very good-natured!
Ah, Judith's a pretty girl, if you please, and very good-natured, as you say,—perhaps a little too good- natured.
No, really—humph !—I shouldn't like that. What d'ye say to Anne Stein ?
Everybody says she's a great coquette. See her on a Sunday, that's all! or at a dance at the fair! She's always changing her partner.
Oh, if she's always changing her partner—well, they can't say that of little Barbara ?
No, because she is lame, and can't dance at all.
That's very true ; poor thing, she's lame, so she is. Well, I declare, then, Vrow Wynk herself?
Old enough to be your grandmother.
And Rachel, her daughter ?
She's engaged to young Maurice.
The devil! Then I must go farther a field, for there's nobody else that I know of in this place.
Oh dear! oh dear! how blind he is, to be sure.
Ah!—stop ! What a fool I am never to have remembered—
Well, who?—what?
Why, that to-morrow will be market-day here,
Be not too bold, for hearts fresh caught
Are ne'er, I'm told to market brought;
The best, they say, are given away,
Nor left to sell on market-day.
In verity, verity, &c.
Well, at any rate, I'll take my chance of tomorrow. But yonder's mamzelle and some of the gentlefolks, so I'll go and hear what the steward has done for me. Good-bye, Gertrude. I say, mind, if you can find me a nice little good-tempered wife, I'll make you a present the day I'm married, and you shall dance at the wedding.
Now isn't it provoking? He can think of everybody but me ; and unless I were to say to him, plump, "Peter, will you marry me? "—and then, if he should say, "No !"oh, I should die with shame and disappointment. O dear! O dear! how vexatious it is ! And it's not only Peter, but nobody seems to think me worth marrying at all—nobody ever says a civil thing to me of any sort ! I never had a sweetheart in my life, and I do believe that's the reason. If I only had one to begin with, I shouldn't wonder if they swarmed afterwards.
Why, you proposed the ride yourself, Ernestine.
Perhaps I did; but I've changed my mind.
Will you walk, then ?
It's too hot.
By the side of the canal—under the trees ?
By the side of the canal ? I wonder you don't propose that I should tow the passage-boat.
I shouldn't wonder if you proposed something equally extravagant. For myself, I
have done—I shall suggest nothing else. Please yourself, if possible, and you will please
me.
Now he's out of humour.
No, not out of humour—but you are the most capricious creature !
Well, well, sir, if you are tired of your allegiance, renounce it at once. I have plenty of slaves at my footstool who will serve me with oriental obedience !
If they really loved you, they would not encourage you in your follies.
My follies ! How dare you talk to me of my follies, sir ? Hold your tongue ! Hold your
tongue, directly! There's Gertrude, and I want to speak to her. Gertrude!
Yes, mamzelle.
What's the matter, Gertrude ? you've been crying.
Yes, mamzelle.
And what for ? Has any one vexed you ?—some faithless swain, perhaps?
Oh dear no, mamzelle ! I wish it was—but that's not possible !
How d'ye mean—not possible, child?
Because I haven't got a swain of any sort.
Bless the girl! What! no sweetheart, at your age ?
No, mamzelle.
Then, perhaps that's what you are crying about ?
Yes, mamzelle.
Silly wench ! you ought to rejoice at it rather ; the men are nothing but plagues, Gertrude. Lovers, indeed ! there's not one worth having !
I—I wish I had one though, just to try. I was just saying to myself it was a shame that some young women should have a score, and others none at all!
The sooner you lessen the number of mine the better, then. I could manage to spare even the gallant Captain Amersfort—and—a capital thought! as you seem so concerned at the unequal division, I'll transfer you to Gertrude.
Law, mamzelle, you don't say so ? Will you, really ?
Ernestine !—what folly !
I'm quite serious. As you have no admirer, Gertrude, and I have so many, I'll give you one of mine.
Oh, but I don't want you to give me one, mamzelle ! If you'll only lend me a beau—just to encourage the others.
Ha! ha! ha! delightful! That's better still!— you hear, sir, I am not to give you up altogether, though you deserve it; I shall only try your obedience! We command you, therefore, on pain of our sovereign displeasure, to pay all proper attentions to our handmaid, Gertrude ; you are her beau till further notice.
Ernestine, are you mad ?
Mad or not, you will obey me, or take the consequences ! I wont be charged with folly and
extravagance for nothing!
Oh, you needn't be afraid, mamzelle—I'll take the greatest care of him—and, besides—
Only think! I've got a beau at last—and such a beau—an officer!—a fine, young, handsome officer !— What'll Peter say to that ?
And while I thus humour her caprices, she returns to the house to flirt with that puppy, Amstell, or that booby, Blankenberg !
But he takes no more notice of me than Peter himself!
I will not endure it ! I will follow her, and—
Stop! stop! you mustn't run away—you're only lent to me, you know—and if I should
lose you, there'll be a pretty business !
Yes; and I don't choose to be left alone. My stars! Peter could do that.
Peter !—who's Peter ? I thought you said you hadn't a sweetheart in the world ?
Nor have I.
Come, come, no fibs ! You've betrayed yourself.
This said Peter, isn't he a sweetheart?.
No, I don't think he is—at least, I don't know. What do you call a sweetheart—one whom you love, or one who loves you ?
One who loves you, of course.
Well, then, I'm right—he is not my sweetheart; but I am his, for I love him dearly !
What a candid little soul! And so you really love Peter dearly, though Peter doesn't love you ? But are you sure he doesn't love you ?
I don't believe he ever thought about it.
Is it possible! Why you are very pretty!—
No --
There's love !—there's devotion ! What charming frankness !—what innocent enthusiasm ! By
Jove, if she wasn't so fond of another, I should be almost tempted —if it were only to punish
Ernestine! I—I—
I beg your pardon, captain.
What the devil do you want ?
Only to introduce Peter Spyk—an honest young farmer—who desires to be your honour's tenant.
Peter Spyk.! What is this the Peter ?
Yes, that's Peter Spyk; and he wants to rent your farm of Appeldoorn; and I am sure you can't do better than let him have it, for he's as good a farmer, and as honest a young man—
If you interest yourself for him, my dear Gertrude, that is sufficient. Swyzel, come here.
What, to our Gertrude ?—to that poor simple thing? Well, I thought just now you seemed rather— eh ? You're a terrible man, captain ! What will mamzelle say?
Oh, it's all in pure friendship, I assure you ; but come this way, and tell me all you know
about her.
Peter, you'll have the farm !
No, shall I, though? Well I thought he said something like it; and because you asked him, too ! I say, you and he seem great friends—he'd got his arm round your waist!
Had he ? oh, yes, I believe he had.
Well, now I've known you ever since you were that high, and I'm sure I never put my
arm round your waist.
No, that you never did! But, then, he's my sweetheart!
Your sweetheart?—yours? What, the captain? Pshaw! you're joking!
Joking!—indeed I'm not joking! What is there so strange in it, pray?
Why, in the first place, he's mamzelle's sweetheart!
Not now.
What, has he left her for you ? Why, what can a rich officer like that see in a poor servant girl ?
Don't be a brute, Peter! If you can't see anything to like in me, it's no reason that others should not.
Me !—oh, that's a different affair; because you and I, you know, there's not so much difference between us, and—oh, by-the-bye, talking of that—I've been thinking of what you said to me, and I wont wait any longer—not even till to-morrow—I've fixed upon Ann Stein. Her mother was here just now, on some business with old Swyzel, and something was dropped about my having the Appeldoorn farm; and Swyzel says, she gave him a hint that her daughter, Anne, was very fond of me, and that decided me at once.
It did ?
Oh, yes; because, where a woman is really fond of one, you know—So directly I've settled
with the captain about the farm, I'll post off to widow Stein's, and—
Nothing—nothing ! I wish you may be happy— that's all, Peter.
Thank ye—thank ye ! It's very kind of you to cry for joy about me, I'm sure—and I won't forget my promise.
You can't be in earnest, captain?
I tell you there it is, in black and white ! Put a wafer in that
Stop ! stop !—one word.
What is it?
Of course.
Well, then, I bid you refuse the farm to Peter Spyk!
Refuse !—why I thought you said—
It doesn't signify what I said !—I've changed my mind ! I suppose I may do that as well as
your fine ladies! You're to obey me!—Mamzelle Ernestine said so ; and I don't choose you should
let Peter have the farm !
Well, if you don't choose, he shan't have it, certainly: and I'm not sorry, for I don't think he deserves it. And now, listen to me. I mean to help you to a good husband, and, in return, you must assist me in a little plot. I can't stay to tell you now; but meet me in half an hour's time at the sun-dial yonder. May I depend upon you ?
That you may.
Enough! Now, master Peter Spyk, follow me. There's no occasion for writing: we can settle this business in two words.
Indeed you do. If Anne Stein marries him now, I'm mistaken in the family altogether.
I've sent Delve with the note; but I've made up my mind. I'm not a young man, certainly; and
I had no idea of changing my situation ; but two thousand crowns will suit me as well as
anybody in the world, and so here goes—there's nothing like being first in the field.
To me, master steward ?
Come here, I tell you! Nearer—don't be afraid —I'm going to propose something for your good, my dear!
I've known you a long while, Gertrude—from your cradle in fact. I knew your poor dear father and mother, and I always had a great affection for you!
You, Mynheer Swyzel?—I'm sure you never showed it, then.
May be not—may be not! I was afraid of spoiling you, as a child; but now, you know, you are grown up,: and very nicely you have grown up—I see it more and more every day—and in short, Gertrude, I've been thinking that, as I am a bachelor, I couldn't do better than marry a good pretty girl like you, whose character and temper I have watched the growth of from an infant.
You—you, Mynheer Swyzel, marry me?
Why not—why not ?—if you have no objection. I'm only fifty-five, and a hale, hearty man for that age. I have saved some money in service, and—
But I haven't a doit in the world!
Nay; nay! you are richer than you think for!
Eh ?
In charms—in youth and beauty!—
There!—there, then ! Charming Gertrude, on my knees, I swear eternal love and constancy!
Halloo!—why, Mynheer Swyzel, what are you doing there ?
You here again, Peter?
Here again !—I believe I am, too ; and just as I went away. Would you believe it ?—Captain Amersfort won't let me the farm, after all!
Dear me !—you don't say so ?
He wouldn't hear a word; and, to make matters worse, old widow Stein, who saw me talking to
him, waited to hear the upshot; and, when I told her, she as good as gave me to understand that
I wasn't match enough for her daughter, and that Anne herself liked Groot, the miller, much
better than she did me ! A coquette !—you said
Between you and me, he was vowing all sorts of love to me!—and he wants me to marry him!
Marry him !—marry old Swyzel!—and will you ?
I don't know!—what do you think ? Would you like me to marry him, Peter ?
Not at all! I don't know how it is, but I can't fancy your marrying anybody—that is, I never
thought of your marrying anybody; and, now I do think of it, I think—
Well—what ?
Oh, Gertrude, here you are; here's a note for you. It's very particular—they gave me a florin to run all the way!
A note for me ?—who is it from ?
The clerk at Van Nickem's, the lawyer. I took a letter there for the captain, and, as his
master wasn't at home, the clerk opened it, and wrote this answer to the captain, and then
scribbled that for you, and begged me to give you yours first—and so I have ; and now I must
find the captain.
A note for me ? Nobody ever wrote to me before; and if they had, it would have been no use, for I can't read written hand. You can, Peter; so pray open it, and let's hear what it's all about.
Go on—go on.
"I have loved you above all earthly beings!"
Bless us, and save us !
"I dared not disclose my passion; but, believe me, my affection was equal to my silence."
Then it was great indeed!
"I have at length summoned courage to address you, and if the offer of my hand and fortune"—another proposal!—-who is the fellow that writes this ?
Van Nickem's clerk, Delve told you.
Yes; here's his ugly name, sure enough, at the bottom of it—-Simon Sneek !
Ah! if I recollect, he's rather a good-looking young man!
Why, you don't mean to—
Surely he's better than old Swyzel!
Well! but what does it all mean ? Everybody wants to marry you.
I can't help that—can I ? But I shan't be in a hurry; I shall do as you do—look about me ;
perhaps somebody may offer that I should like better.
What's the matter, Master Peter?—you don't look best pleased.
Well, I have been pleased better.
Anything in that note ?
This note!—no. This is the note you brought from Van Nickem's. There's that young rogue, Sneek, wants to marry Gertrude.
To marry Gertrude! Well, now, do you know, I think he might do worse.
Might do worse ?—I believe he might, too !
Gertrude's by no means ill-looking.
Ill-looking ?—she's very pretty.
Well—yes—I think she is,—and very good tempered.
The best humoured soul in the world !
Do you know, Master Peter, if I thought there was any chance of our living comfortably together, I shouldn't mind making up to Gertrude myself.
You !—you be hanged!
Hanged !—what for, I should like to know ? I question now if I couldn't afford to marry as well as young Sneek—he doesn't get much out of Nickem's pocket, I'll swear!
Well, you needn't trouble your head about it, because you shan't have her !
Why, farmer Spyk, what have you to do with it?—suppose I choose, and she chooses, you're neither her father nor her mother. If you put my blood up, I'll go and ask her at once!
And if you do, you'll put my blood up—and then I shall knock you down !
Knock me down ! Donner and blitzen!
Don't provoke me !—I'm getting desperate !—I mean to marry Gertrude myself, if she'll have me; and I'll fight anybody for her, with fists, knives, pistols— anything!
Heyday ! heyday ! what is all this noise about— and threat of fighting ?
It's farmer Spyk, here, and please you, mamzelle; he threatens to knock me down if I go a-courting to Gertrude—and all in an honest way, too.
To Gertrude! Why how long have you taken this fancy into your head ?
Why, not five minutes, mamzelle; and he has the impudence to set himself up against me, who have been in love with her—more than half an hour!
And where is the fair object of your contention ? —what does she say to these sudden passions ?
I'm waiting to know what she'll say to mine—but she's a plaguy long time with the captain. He's the only rival I'm afraid of; she seems deuced fond of him—and he raves about her !
You desired him, mamzelle?
Yes; I commanded him to make love to her!
Well, he won't be broke for disobedience, then— that's all I can say—for he does make love
to her most furiously ! I caught him myself with his arm round her waist, this morning, and I
dare say its round it now, if the truth was known; but I can't see for that beastly
hollybush.
Why, where are they, then?
She was to meet him at the sun-dial, and I saw him slinking through the trees yonder; and just now I'm almost certain I caught a glimpse of them at the end of that walk.
There she goes !—there she goes!
With the captain?
No, by herself—and there's Delve after her as hard as he can scamper ! I'll follow—I'll—no, I can't—I can't move—I—I feel very ill—my head spins round like a top ! Here comes the captain.
Amersfort! I am ready to sink—
Don't—don't, mamzelle—for I've no strength to catch you !
Indeed, sir; and for what purpose? I thought I had desired you to pay your attentions in another quarter for the present.
It is in perfect accordance with that desire that I have sought this interview. I am anxious to express my gratitude for the blessing which you have so unexpectedly bestowed upon me.
What do you mean, sir?
I mean, Mamzelle Rosendaal, that the heart you treated with so much indifference has been accepted by one of the most lovely and amiable of your sex; and that, in the affection of Gertrude, it has found a balm for all the wounds you had so wantonly inflicted on it!
There !—there ! I told you so !
Upon my word, sir !—and you have the assurance to make this confession to me ?
Why not, Mademoiselle ? We are not masters of our affections, and, therefore, I will not reproach you. But can you be surprised that I should be weary of loving one who did not love me? or that, stung to the quick by your contempt, I should be more sensible to the kindness and sympathy of another? Gertrude is lovely !
The sweetest tempered—the most frank and affectionate of beings!
Too true !—too true !
The possession of her heart is a blessing monarchs might envy me !
I shall go mad!
And monarchs have matched with maidens as lowly born, and far less deserving!
No, it's not enough ! He can't say too much about her !—she hasn't her equal upon earth!
You are right, farmer; and I thank you for the honest warmth with which you justify my
choice.
Your choice ! Don't touch me !
My sweet bride—my affianced wife—Madame Amersfort shall thank you in person !
His wife ! Madame Amersfort! Cruel, faithless Gertrude!
Faithless !—why, did you ever propose to her?
No ; but I meant to do so ! Oh, dear !
Your wife ?—your wife ?—and you really intend to marry this orphan girl ?
I have desired my lawyer to prepare her marriage contract, which shall be signed this evening!
Oh!
Not in this house, sir! I will not be insulted to that extent! I go this moment to inform my father.
The Baron Van Rosendaal is already informed, and approves of my intentions !
Approves !—we shall see, sir !—we shall see !
Don't—don't!
But where is she?—where is my adored Gertrude ?
Hah! what do I see? There's a dress—a wedding dress ! It is !—it is !
It is—it is a very beautiful dress, as you say, and I don't wonder you start to see me in such a dress ; but, as the bride of a captain, you know——
It is true, then, you are going—going to marry Captain Amersfort ?
Ah ! he has told you, then ? Well, I was in hopes of giving you an agreeable surprise !
An agreeable surprise !
Why, are you not delighted, Peter, at my good fortune ?
Delighted!
Only think—a poor orphan girl like me, whom nobody loved, and nobody cared about—
It isn't true! I cared about you—I loved you— doated on you!
You, Peter !—you ! Mercy on me ! And why didn't you tell me so then ?
Because I didn't know it myself then; but I do now, Gertrude—I do now !
Now !—now that it is too late!
But is it—is it too late ? You are not married yet,?
No ; but I have promised! The contract is
But I—I love you dearly !
Ah! if you had but said so an hour ago! But you thought of everybody but me !
I know it—I know it! But then nobody thought of you, and now everybody does ; and it proves to me that you—you are the only girl in the world that I ought to marry; and if you wont have me, I—I know what I'll do.
Dear me, Peter, what ?
I'll fling myself into the canal!
Nonsense!
You see if I don't, then. I'm not desperate till I take anything in my head ; but then nothing can turn me!
Laughed at! I'll jump over the wall, here, into the canal, before your face!
Indeed you shan't! Peter, don't be a fool!
What's the matter now ?
O, mamzelle, help me to hold Peter—he wants to drown himself !
He is sillier than ever I supposed him, if he would drown himself for so worthless a person! I wonder you are not ashamed to look me in the face!
I'm very sorry, mamzelle. I know you only
Cease your impertinence ! Your simplicity is all affected !
I'm sure mamzelle, if the captain will only consent, I'll give him up with pleasure !
You will?
You will? Hark ye, Gertrude! Don't think that I care the least about Captain Amersfort—his behaviour has entirely destroyed any little affection I might have had for him ; but, only to vex him in my turn, if you will promise not to marry him—
Do, do!
I will settle a handsome income on you !
There, there !
Tell him you do not love him ?
Yes, yes!
That you love another—anybody !
Yes, me !—I'm ready to be loved!
Oh, Gertrude!
But how can I consent to make him wretched? If there was any chance of your making it up—if I thought you still loved the captain, and would make him happy in the avowal!
Would that decide you ?
Oh, do, then!—do.
What would you have me say ?
That you forgive him, and are willing to marry him, if I give him up !
Well, then, I am willing !
Own that it was to secure your happiness, Ernestine, and you make mine for ever!
Well, I believe I deserved this lesson.
And I'm sure I did !
You've made your mind up, then, that I shall marry you now ?
To be sure I have !
Well, as you say, when you once do take a thing in your head, nothing can turn you, I suppose it's useless to say "No."There is my hand, dear Peter !
And I suppose I may let him the farm now ?
If you please, captain.
And give him the two thousand crowns that I desired Van Nickem to settle on you as a wedding portion ?
Ah! then that's why young Sneek—but no matter!
Amersfort. Ernestine. Gertrude. Peter.