THE DREAM OF DIRK On the day following Montalvo's interview with Black Meg Dirk received a message from that gentleman, sent to his lodging by an orderly, which reminded him that he had promised to dine with him this very night.

Now he had no recollection of any such engagement.

Remembering with shame, however, that there were various incidents of the evening of the supper whereof his memory was most imperfect, he concluded that this must be one of them.

So much against his own wishes Dirk sent back an answer to say that he would appear at the time and place appointed.
This was the third thing that had happened to annoy him that day.

First he had met Pieter van de Werff, who informed him that all Leyden was talking about Lysbeth and the Captain Montalvo, to whom she was said to have taken a great fancy.