Almost with the words she entered, clothed in a white India muslin, with

carnations at her breast. Her high-heeled shoes, her large hoop, and the

height to which her pale gold hair was raised, gave to the beautiful

woman an air of majesty that amazed the earl. He bowed low, and then

kissed her cheeks, and led her to a chair, which he placed between Hyde

and himself.

Of course the discussion of the American project was merely opened at

that time. English people, even at this day, move only after slow and

prudent deliberation; and then emigration was almost an irrevocable

action. Katherine was predisposed to it, but yet she dearly loved the

home she had made so beautiful. During Hyde's convalescence, also, other

plans had been made and talked over until they had become very hopeful

and pleasant; and they could not be cast aside without some reluctance.

In fact, the purpose grew slowly, but surely, all through the following

winter; being mainly fed by Katherine's loving desire to be near to her

parents, and by Hyde's unconfessed desire to take part in the struggle

which he foresaw, and which had his warmest sympathy. Every American

letter strengthened these feelings; but the question was finally

settled--as many an important event in every life is settled--by a

person totally unknown to both Katherine and Hyde.

It was on a cold, stormy afternoon in February, when the fens were white

with snow. Hyde sat by the big wood-fire, re-reading a letter from Joris

Van Heemskirk, which also enclosed a copy of Josiah Quincy's speech on

the Boston Port Bill. Katherine had a piece of worsted work in her

hands. Little Joris was curled up in a big chair with his book, seeing

nothing of the present, only conscious of the gray, bleak waves of the

English Channel, and the passionate Blake bearing down upon Tromp and De

Ruyter.

"What a battle that would be!" he said, jumping to his feet. "Father, I

wish that I had lived a hundred years ago."

"What are you talking about, George?"

"Listen, then: 'Eighty sail put to sea under Blake. Tromp and De Ruyter,

with seventy-six sail, were seen, upon the 18th of February, escorting

three hundred merchant-ships up the channel. Three days of desperate

fighting ensued, and Tromp acquired prodigious honour by this battle;

for, though defeated, he saved nearly the whole of his immense convoy.'

I wish I had been with Tromp, father."

"But an English boy should wish to have been with Blake."

"Tromp had the fewer vessels. One should always help the weaker side,

father. And, besides, you know I am half Dutch."




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