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Philip waited several minutes, lost in thought and admiration: so fair a creature in the house of Mynheer Poots! Who could she be? While thus ruminating, he was accosted by the silver voice of the object of his reveries, who, leaning out of the window, held in her hand the black ribbon to which was attached the article so dearly coveted.
It was as she supposed, a summons for Mynheer Poots to a woman taken in labour. "He shall follow you directly," said Amine; "I will now call him up." Amine went up stairs to the room where her father slept, and knocked; hearing no answer, as usual, she knocked again. "My father is not used to sleep in this way," thought Amine, when she found no answer to her second call.
On he came, reckless, frantic, and shouting, and rushed into the arms of the two robbers, who seized and would have despatched him, had not Philip so opportunely come to his assistance. As soon as the last robber fell, Philip disengaged himself and went to the assistance of Mynheer Poots, whom he raised up in his arms, and carried into the house as if he were an infant.
This speech was indeed very plainly heard by Mynheer Poots, but the little miser had recovered from his fright, and, thinking himself secure, could not make up his mind to surrender the relic without a struggle; so the doctor answered not, hoping that the patience of Philip would be exhausted, and that by some arrangement, such as the sacrifice of a few guilders, no small matter to one so needy as Philip, he would be able to secure what he was satisfied would sell at a high price.
Fear not for your father, maiden, for had he done me a thousand times more wrong, you will protect each hair upon his head. He knows me well enough to know I keep my word. Allow me to repair the injury I have occasioned, and then I will depart." "No, no; don't trust him," said Mynheer Poots, from within the chamber.
The priest then made inquiries relative to Mynheer Poots, asking Philip whether he knew what his creed was, as he had never appeared at any church, and report said that he was an infidel. To this Philip, as usual, gave his frank answer, and intimated that the daughter, at least, was anxious to be enlightened, begging the priest to undertake a task to which he himself was not adequate.
The old man was still in a state of delirium from fear and previous excitement. In a few minutes Mynheer Poots was more coherent. "My daughter!" exclaimed he "my daughter! where is she?" "She is here, father, and safe," replied Amine. "Ah! my child is safe," said he, opening his eyes and staring. "Yes, it is even so and my money my money where is my money?" continued he, starting up.
Philip, who at first waking was confused, gradually recovered his senses during this address. "You shall have your three guilders and a half, and your phial to boot, Mr Poots," replied he, as he rose from off the bed. "Yes, yes; I know you mean to pay me if you can. But look you, Mynheer Philip, it may be some time before you sell the cottage. You may not find a customer.
It is singular that his reveries at last ended by reverting to the fair daughter of Mynheer Poots, and her first appearance at the window; and he felt as if the flood of light which had just driven him from the one, was not more impressive and startling than her enchanting form at the other.
"They hardly would have removed it never would . It must be that villain Poots wretch; but I will have it, even if he has swallowed it, though I tear him limb from limb!" Philip darted down the stairs, rushed out of the house, cleared the moat at one bound, and without coat or hat, flew away in the direction of the doctor's lonely residence.
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