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Such men as Adrian Van der Werff, the heroic burgomaster of Leyden during its famous siege, John Van der Does, statesman, orator, soldier, poet, Adolphus Meetkerke, judge, financier, politician, Carl Roorda, Noel de Carom diplomatist of most signal ability, Floris Thin, Paul Buys, and Olden-Barneveld, with many others, who would have done honour to the legislative assemblies and national councils in any country or any age, were constantly returned as members of the different vroedschaps in the commonwealth.
The master of the house was to be surprised with a song on the morning of his birthday festival. "Excellent," said Georg, interrupting his friend, "she will manage the matter admirably." "Not she alone; we can depend upon Fran Van der Werff too. At first she wanted to decline, but when I proposed a pretty madrigal, yielded and took the soprano." "The soprano?" asked the Junker excitedly.
At these words Van der Werff retreated from the nobleman, clenched his moustache firmly in his right hand, and raising his deep voice to a louder tone, said coldly and imperiously: "Then, as guardian of the safety of this city, I command you to quit Leyden instantly. If you are found within these walls after noon to- morrow, I will have you taken across the frontiers by the city-guard."
Van der Werff nodded assent, then briefly and firmly explained to his friends what he intended to disclose to the Prince. The three men separated before the burgomaster's house. "Tell the Prince," said Van Hout, on parting, "that we are prepared for the worst, will endure and dare it."
"Out of my way!" said the youth in a haughty, resolute tone, trying to push Mulder aside with the back of his hand. "Hands off, Glipper!" cried the school-boys, raising their clenched hands threateningly. "Then let me alone," replied Wibisma, "I want no quarrel, least of all with you." "Why not with us?" asked Adrian Van der Werff, irritated by the supercilious, arrogant tone of the last words.
Bessie had eaten a piece of roast pigeon, the first morsel for several days, and there was as much rejoicing over it in the Van der Werff household, as if some great piece of good fortune had befallen the family.
It was soon decided that patriots and Spaniards, not Greeks and Persians, were to appear in the lists against each other; but when the burgomaster's son, Adrian Van der Werff, a lad of fourteen, proposed to form the two parties, and in the imperious way peculiar to him attempted to make Paul Van Swieten and Claus Dirkson Spaniards, he encountered violent opposition, and the troublesome circumstance was discovered that no one was willing to represent a foreign soldier.
The city clerk nodded assent and folding the papers, said: "I think the dead woman's property will be an advantage to the city." "The Prince will dispose of it," replied Van der Werff. "How long have you served this lady, Belotti?" "Fifteen years." "Then remain in Leyden for a time. I think you may expect the legacy she originally left you. I will urge your claim."
The Castilians would retire and Leyden should be garrisoned only by a few German troops. He invited Van der Werff and Herr von Nordwyk to come to Leyderdorp as ambassadors, and in any case, even if the negotiations failed, agreed to send them home uninjured under a safe escort.
You must bear your burden, they must bear theirs, I must bear mine; we must all wander through the night not knowing where we wander till God causes the dawn to break, the dawn of freedom and retribution." Lysbeth made no answer, only she rose and stumbled from the house, while van de Werff sat down groaning bitterly and praying for help and light.
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