but the younger man had no family ties, no special property interests,
neither was he pledged to his home government as was Rubens.

Straightway the King of England dispatched a messenger urging Anthony Van
Dyck to come over to England. The promised rewards and honors were too
great for the proud and ambitious painter to refuse. He started for
England.

* * * * *

In stature Van Dyck was short, but of a very compact build. He carried
the crown of his head high, his chin in, and his chest out. His name is
another added to that list of big-little men who had personality plus,
and whose presence filled a room. Cæsar, Napoleon, Lord Macaulay, Aaron
Burr and that other little man with whom Burr's name is inseparably
linked, belong to the same type. These little men with such dynamic force
that they can do the thinking for a race are those who have swerved the
old world out of her ruts--whether for good or ill is not the question
here.

When you find one of these big-little men, if he does not stalk through
society a conquering Don Juan it is because we still live in an age of
miracles.

Women fed on Van Dyck's smile, and pined when he did not deign to notice
them. He was royal in all his tastes--his manner was regal, and so proud
was his step that when he passed forbidden lines, sentinels and servants
saluted and made way, never daring to ask him for card, passport or
countersign.