“Wife,” said Smetse, “all this is ours, I tell thee again. To this amount am I paid in advance for certain large orders which have been graciously given me.”

“Art thou not lying?” said she, growing a little calmer.

“No,” said he.

“All this is ours?”

“Yes,” he said, “by the word of honour of a citizen of Ghent.”

“Ah, my man, then we are henceforward out of our trouble.”

“Yes, wife,” said he.

“’Tis a miracle from God.”

“Alas,” said he.

“But these men come hither by night, against the usual custom, tell me the reason of that.”