His company was ordered to mount guard at the Hoogewoort Gate.

As he marched through Nobelstrasse with it, he heard the low, clear melody of a woman's voice issuing from an open window of the Hoogstraten mansion.

He listened, and noticing with a shudder how much Henrica's voice--for the singer must be the young lady--resembled Isabella's, ordered the drummer to beat the drum.
The next morning a servant came from the Hoogstraten house and gave Wilhelm a note, in which he was briefly requested to come to Nobelstrasse at two o'clock in the afternoon, neither earlier nor later.
He did not wish to say "yes"-- he could not say "no," and went to the house at the appointed hour.

Henrica was awaiting him in the little room adjoining the hall.

She looked graver than the day before, while heavier shadows under her eyes and the deep flush on her cheeks reminded Wilhelm of Belotti's fears for her health.