my letters. I am guilty of slander if this accusation is false!”
How freely Verbrugge breathed again!
And how strange the Resident thought Havelaar’s words.
The conversation lasted long. With politeness, for Slymering was polite and well-bred,—he urged Havelaar to turn aside from such wrong principles; but with as much politeness the latter remained immoveable. The result was, that the Resident had to yield, in saying as a threat, what was to Havelaar a victory, that he should be compelled to bring the matter under the notice of the Government.
The meeting was ended. The Resident paid the visit to the Regent, to put to him the questions already mentioned, and then dined at the scanty board of the Havelaars, after which he returned in great haste to Serang, “becausehehadstillsomuchtodo.”
The next day Havelaar received a letter from the Resident of Bantam, the contents of which may be understood from the reply, of which I here give a copy:—
“No. 93.—Private.
“I have had the honour to receive your missive of the 26th inst. (La. O, private), containing mainly the following:—
