These lines of thought, almost tedious to indicate, flashed hotly and

vividly through his mind. The likes and dislikes, the faiths and

aspirations, of past centuries, coloured the present moments, as light

flung through richly stained glass has its white radiance tinged by it.

The feeling of race--that strong and mysterious tie which no time nor

circumstances can eradicate--was so living a motive in Joris Van

Heemskirk's heart, that he had been quite conscious of its appeal when

Semple spoke of a marriage between Katherine and his own son. And Semple

had understood this, when he so cunningly insinuated a common stock and

a common form of faith. For he had felt, instinctively, that even the

long tie of friendship between them was hardly sufficient to bridge over

the gulf of different nationalities.

Then, Katherine was Van Heemskirk's darling, the very apple of his eye.

He felt angry that already there should be plans laid to separate her in

any way from him. His eldest daughters, Cornelia and Anna, had married

men of substance in Esopus and Albany: he knew they had done well for

themselves, and had become contented in that knowledge; but he also

felt that they were far away from his love and home. Joanna was already

betrothed to Capt. Batavius de Vries; Bram would doubtless find himself

a wife very soon; for a little while, he had certainly hoped to keep

Katherine by his own side. Semple, in speaking of her as already

marriageable, had given him a shock. It seemed such a few years since he

had walked her to sleep at nights, cradled in his strong arms, close to

his great, loving heart; such a little while ago when she toddled about

the garden at his side, her plump white hands holding his big

forefinger; only yesterday that she had been going to the school, with

her spelling-book and Heidelberg in her hand. When Lysbet had spoken to

him of the English lady staying with Madam Semple, who was teaching

Katherine the new crewel-stitch, it had appeared to him quite proper

that such a child should be busy learning something in the way of

needlework. "Needlework" had been given as the reason of those visits,

which he now remembered had been very frequent; and he was so absolutely

truthful, that he never imagined the word to be in any measure a false

definition.

Therefore, Elder Semple's implication had stunned him like a buffet. In

his own room, he sat down on a big oak chest; and, as he thought, his

wrath slowly gathered. Semple knew that gay young English officers were

coming and going about his house, and he had not told him until he

feared they would interfere with his own plans for keeping Neil near to

him. The beautiful little Dutch maiden had been an attraction which he

was proud to exhibit, just as he was proud of his imported furniture,

his pictures, and his library. He remembered that Semple had spoken with

touching emphasis of his longing to keep his last son near home; but

must he give up his darling Katherine to further this plan?




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024