“I was just going to question her when your Highness came in.”
“Question her, Mynheer van Systens, question her. I am the first magistrate of the country; I will hear the case and administer justice.”
“I have found my King Solomon,” said Van Systens, bowing, and showing the way to the Prince.
His Highness was just going to walk ahead, but, suddenly recollecting himself he said—
“Go before me, and call me plain Mynheer.”
The two then entered the cabinet.
Rosa was still standing at the same place, leaning on the window, and looking through the panes into the garden.
“Ah! a Frisian girl,” said the Prince, as he observed Rosa’s gold brocade headdress and red petticoat.
At the noise of their footsteps she turned round, but scarcely saw the Prince, who seated himself in the darkest corner of the apartment.
All her attention, as may be easily imagined, was fixed on that important person who was called Van Systens, so that she had no time to notice the humble stranger who was following the master of the house, and who, for aught she knew, might be somebody or nobody.