An indescribable tremor seized her, and she retreated with downcast lashes and tell-tale cheeks, and took her father's arm on the opposite side.
Gerard, blushing at having scared her away with his eyes, took the other arm; and so the two young things went downcast and conscious, and propped the eagle along in silence.
They entered Rotterdam by the Schiedamze Poort; and, as Gerard was unacquainted with the town, Peter directed him the way to the Hooch Straet, in which the Stadthouse was.

He himself was going with Margaret to his cousin, in the Ooster-Waagen Straet, so, almost on entering the gate, their roads lay apart.

They bade each other a friendly adieu, and Gerard dived into the great town.

A profound sense of solitude fell upon him, yet the streets were crowded.

Then he lamented too late that, out of delicacy, he had not asked his late companions who they were and where they lived.
"Beshrew my shamefacedness!" said he.