“Sie pflüchte ein Wiesenblümelein, FTER staying only a day for refreshment, George, with the Fleming and the troop of attendants, rode out of the town en route for Brussels, and so onward to the seat of war. The French were now in alliance with the brave Swedes, under the Duke of Saxe-Weimar, or Bernhard, the pupil of Gustavus Adolphus. The Swedes had bought the alliance of France by promising Richelieu (then the real ruler of that nation) to conquer and hand over to her Alsace from Germany. For this purpose the Duke was attacking Rheinfeld and Brisac, and the fortresses of the Brisgau. A few days of hard riding brought them by the grand city of Antwerp, along the flat coast road to Brussels, then the residence of a gay Court. The Countess Von Berghem had arranged to receive the whole party. So soon as they were a little refreshed, Hannchen Van Diense visited them in their salon, and announced that the Lady Gabrielle would soon follow. The quiet Hannchen of Norwich middle life was transformed into an elegant lady of fashion, with the same calm mildness of manner, but with the added grace of courtly array. She rejoiced to see George, enquired after his parents and Edward, as well as the Bridges, and specially Alice," your white lily," she added smiling. Yes," said George, "white and fair as ever; but she does not like a soldier's uniform." "Oh, she will learn in these times to forgive that, George," was Hannchen's reply. The Fleming appeared lost in grave thought, when his sister roused him, saying, " Philip, are you ready to be squire of dames to courtly ladies? I assure you Gabrielle is in earnest, although she dislikes foggy, peat-smelling Rotterdam. It is a great compliment to you." "To you, rather, my accomplished and attractive sister," he replied. The door opened, and Gabrielle's small, striking figure was visible. Her quick eye took in the whole scene as she glided toward them. She welcomed the Fleming with marked courtesy ; and turning to George, said, "Pray present to me this young English soldier;-I love young officers. Monsieur George Sherwood—is that your name?—be most welcome to my Dutch home. Van harte gegroet." George was evidently dazzled by her beauty and marked notice of him. He knelt and kissed her hand, saying, "Lady, the English Court lost its fairest gem when you withdrew." "Why, you were but a boy when the Queen came to your school with some of us maids of honour. Your brother recited a Latin address, and made love to the Lady Eva; but you and I had a word about an absent friend." "It was a vision of glory never to be forgotten by schoolboys; but you looked sad to what you do to-day, lady." “Sad!—you did not say so then. I was a fairy and an angel, and what not. Philip, my old friend, how do these English fugitives at Rotterdam? I wish they could come here. But you must stay here a few days. I will leave you now to meet again in the salon, where you will find a few friends. Vaarwel." She took Hannchen with her; and then George said, "Oh, my friend, you may well love her!-such sweetness and life -she is charming indeed!" "Yes, a charming sister," gravely replied Van Diense. "Nonsense!" said George; "I saw her eye on you when you were not looking." "She loves the gay world and its luxury too well, George." "The stream of love is full of obstructions," said the youth: "one fair lady dislikes a soldier's coat, and another a merchant's drab. Perhaps they may think otherwise while I seek honour in the wars, and you are protector of the journey—but nil desperandum!” The dinner was magnificent, and the room full of distinguished guests. The Fleming knew many of them, and entered into free political converse such as England did not then allow. The Lady Gabrielle had George by her, and took great notice of him. His frank shrewdness pleased her as much as her wit and beauty won on him. After dinner, the company dispersed over the various rooms and galleries. The Countess took George into her boudoir, for a fuller and closer chat. "Now, my English knight, are you entirely devoted to my service, or have you left your heart at home?" Lady, before I knew you 66 "Yes, there was some English cousin with whom you romped, and exchanged sixpences; but she has given way to eight or nine idols, surely?" "Nay, lady, I am truer than you think." "A miracle of constancy !—you were some years away at school. Is she at Norwich? "Nearer still, lady,-at Rotterdam." "So much the worse,-I shall not go there!" exclaimed Gabrielle, half serious, and more in fun. And you have just left her, and dare to flirt with me, sir!" "Mademoiselle, you are like an elder sister,—and I hope you are not free." "What, sir! am I so old? To whom do you devote me?" "To my best friend, lady, and the best friend of everybody so happy as to know him. Am I in error?-pardon me, he worships you." "As I question freely, I must stand to be questioned. Your friend is so noble and good that I am afraid of him. I am a butterfly-he dwells among the stars. My obstacle is his excellence." "And my difficulty at Rotterdam is that the lady abhors the rough profession of arms. Perhaps when you see her you might condescend to try to enlighten her." "And perhaps, sir, you will try to induce your friend to stoop a little from the zenith of perfection to uschildren of fashion." "But then, lady, I should less esteem my friend,—his nobleness is so human: he is a true follower of Christ." "There it is—that's what frightens me!—that touch of fanatic madness which appeals to the mystic and unreal everywhere. You have caught it too." “Oh, lady, what mean you? Have you no religion?" 'No, sir, I fear not-in that sense. It spoils a soldier.” "Nay, lady, I shall fight the better, and suffer or die the better. I am a Red Cross Knight." "The Crusaders were fools, who should have stayed at home and looked after their castles and wives," said she. Then, suddenly changing her tone, she pointed round: "Are you aware that this was Count Philip's home in childhood, those the pictures of his ancestors, and this his mother's room?" "I had partly guessed it. How grand of him and his sister to bear the loss so serenely! Forgive me for saying I wish he had it—so you were not the worse." "So do I; but it is not now in my power, but my uncle's. Else it should be his." But, lady, he would never care for it but with the heart of the lovely restorer." "I protest you know how to storm a fortress already. I must retire, for I feel my defences weakening." "That is just the moment when a real soldier would not allow retreat; but, alas! I am not the right person to enforce a capitulation." "Nor am I quite in that mood," she said laughing; "so vaarwel for a time." The time at Brussels passed in a constant round of social amusement. The Court parties, the rides in the pleasant environs, the introductions and calls on fashionable people, severely taxed the Fleming's patience; but it was new to George. Before they parted one evening, George said to the Fleming, "Forgive me if I wound you;-these were the scenes of your childhood. How patient you are, who might be lord of all here!" "Yes, George, I have had to school my heart severely, and nothing but an anchor above could have quieted my ambition; but I confess I hardly wish it otherwise." "My friend and teacher, would it not be well if you had a little more desire for these things-at least in sympathy with lesser mortals?" George, I know what you mean. In the effort to master passions dangerous to my peace, I have put a strain on myself which makes me misunderstood. I have so long averted my eyes from certain objects, that I fear to glance at them lest I should idolize them again." "But might you not save other idolaters by a little sympathy? Still I marvel at and admire your self-control." |