The blood mounted into the young wife's delicate cheeks, and with quickened breathing, she answered in a hasty, resolute tone: "Yes, indeed, I have known these words ever since your courtship, and as I am my father's daughter never opposed them, but now they are no longer suited to us, and should be: 'Everything for the country, and nothing at all for the wife.'" Van der Werff laid down his pen and turned full towards her.
Maria's slender figure seemed to have grown taller, and the blue eyes, swimming in tears, flashed proudly.

This life-companion seemed to have been created by God especially for him.

His heart opened to her, and frankly stretching out both hands, he said tenderly: "You know how matters are! This heart is changeless, and other days will come." "When ?" asked Maria, in a tone as mournful as if she believed in no happier future.
"Soon," replied her husband firmly.

"Soon, if only each one gives willingly what our native land demands." At these words the young wife loosed her hands from her husband's, for the door had opened and Barbara called to her brother from the threshold.
"Herr Matanesse Van Wibisma, the Glipper, is in the entry and wants to speak to you." "Show him up," said the burgomaster reluctantly.

When again alone with his wife, he asked hastily "Will you be indulgent and help me ?" She nodded assent, trying to smile.
He saw that she was sad and, as this grieved him, held out his hand to her again, saying: "Better days will come, when I shall be permitted to be more to you than to-day.