"You will see," answered my aunt. "I do think, niece, that Dutch women in general think of their houses not so much as places to dwell in, as objects on which to exercise their love for cleansing. 'Tis said that the pastor of Brook, which is the very Paradise of neatness, found it hard to interest the women of his parish in heavenly things, till he described Heaven as a place where golden pavements admitted of unlimited scouring. Avice falls in with these ways easily enough. You know she was always a born housekeeper, but I fancy poor Katherine is looked upon as a helpless slattern by her Dutch neighbors. Happily for her, Arthur's congregation is made up of English and Scotch people, who are not quite so particular."
"And Katherine is happy in her marriage?"
"Oh, yes. Her husband is one of the best of men, and she hath four lovely babes—the last I have not seen. They are not rich, nor ever will be, at least in this world's goods, but they have treasure in Heaven, ay and in this world also. I never saw a better ordered family of children. 'Tis a great grief to Garrett and Avice that they have none; but, as I tell them, there is time enough, and it may be better after all," said my aunt, sighing. "In a gale, those are best off who spread the least sail."
"But is not the Protestant religion allowed here?" I asked, in surprise. "I thought there was no danger on that score."
"'Tis rather winked at than allowed," replied my aunt. "The emperor is a crafty man, and knows well the temper and drift of this people. I believe he will avoid a quarrel if he can, and he is not a man to be driven by the Church of Rome further or faster than he likes to go. But he grows old, and talks at times of abdicating in favor of his son, who is, as all men say, a cold, cruel bigot, valuing nothing so much as what he calls—God save the mark—Christian and Catholic unity. I believe the hour which puts the reins into his hands will be a sad one for Holland."
"Heaven help us," said I. "Is there to be no rest in this world?"
"Not that I know of," replied my aunt, with that sweet, wise smile that I remembered so well. "The Master, at least, has promised us none, and what right have we to expect peace with His worst enemy. Mark my word, child, if the day ever does come that the church and the world have no controversy, that will be the worst day the church will ever see. But now tell me of our friends, the Davises. Were they not greatly relieved to hear of Margaret's safety?"
"They had not heard it, the last I knew," I answered, surprised. "Where is she?"
"At Amsterdam, with her husband, who has fallen on his feet as I may say, having gotten work in one of the great printing houses, where his skill hath already raised him to a high place, and Margaret hath a school for young maids, which is very successful."
"And so it should be. One better fitted for such an office could not be. I hope I may see her, for she hath been one of the best friends I ever had."