At his aspect Margaret, being very happy, could hardly keep her countenance.
But she whispered Johnson, "I would put my hand in the fire for him.

We are at your command, cousin, as soon as you have given him his orders." Hans was then instructed to sit at the table and wait for Gerard, and conduct him to Ooster-Waagen Straet.

He replied, not in words, but by calmly taking the seat indicated, and Margaret, Peter, and William Johnson went away together.
"And, indeed, it is time you were abed, father, after all your travel," said Margaret.

This had been in her mind all along.
Hans Cloterman sat waiting for Gerard, solemn and businesslike.

The minutes flew by, but excited no impatience in that perfect young man.
Johnson did him no more than justice when he laughed to scorn the idea of his secretary leaving his post or neglecting his duty in pursuit of sport or out of youthful hilarity and frivolity.
As Gerard was long in coming, the patient Hans--his employer's eye being no longer on him improved the time by quaffing solemnly, silently, and at short but accurately measured intervals, goblets of Corsican wine.
The wine was strong, so was Cloterman's head; and Gerard had been gone a good hour ere the model secretary imbibed the notion that Creation expected Cloterman to drink the health of all good fellows, and nommement of the Duke of Burgundy there present.