have a real good bank-balance do not have to wear fashionable clothes.
Don John was a plain, blunt man who liked books and pictures. He wanted
to see the painter, not a courtier: and when he heard of the style in
which the artist was coming, he just put a boy on a donkey and sent word
out that he was not at home. And further, to show the proud painter his
place, he sent along a small purse of silver to pay the artist for the
trouble to which he had been. The rebuke was so delicate that it was
altogether lost on Rubens--he was simply enraged.

* * * * *

In all, Rubens spent eight years in the service of the Duke of Mantua. He
had visited the chief cities of Italy, and was familiar with all the art
of the golden ages that had gone before. When he left Italy he had to
take advantage of the fact that the Duke was in France, for every time
before, when he had suggested going, he was questioned thus: "Why, have
you not all you wish? What more can be done for you? Name your desire and
you shall have it."

But Rubens wanted home: Antwerp, his mother, brothers, sister, the broad
River Scheldt, and the good old Flemish tongue.

Soon after arriving in Antwerp he was named as Court Painter by Albert
and Isabella. Thus he was the successor of his old master, Van Veen.

He was now aged thirty-two, in possession of an income from the State,
and a fame and name to be envied. He was rich in money, jewels and art
treasures brought from Italy, for he had the thrifty instincts of a true
Dutchman.