88 T RAV ELS IN 
Now no one but Pinar could have given this 
information. Prior to our vifit to the Van der 
Wefthuyfens, I had requefted of him the moll 
profound filence as to the arrival of the two 
brothers : he promifed it: but what dependence 
was to be placed on the promifes and difcretion 
of a drunkard ? Irritated at the impropriety of 
his condud:, I addreffed myfelf to him, and I 
confefs I treated him fomevvhat roughly. To 
the brother I replied in a dry manner : I de- 
clared pofitively, that if any one fhould think 
proper to put the flighteft infult upon Klaas 
Bafter, I fhould confider him as my enemy, 
and treat him as fuch. My manner was fo 
firm and decifive that no one ventured to an- 
fwer me a word. I was encouraged to this by 
the prefence of the father. He did not indeed 
allow himfelf to fpeak, but I was fure he ap- 
proved of what I fald. I imagined I could fee 
into his inmoft thoughts ; and while 1 warmly 
defended his fons, I could difcover in his eyes 
the pleafure I gave him by taking the part of 
two unfortunate men, who were only unfor- 
tunate becaufe they were his. 
To change a converfation which they had 
expefted would have taken a very different 
turn^ 
