She might have stepped out of the folded leaves of a rosebud, so lovely
was her face, framed in its dark curls, and shaded by a gypsy bonnet of
straw tied under her chin with primrose-coloured ribbons. Her dress was
of some soft, green material; and she carried in her hand a bunch of
daffodils. She was small, but exquisitely formed, and she walked with
fearlessness and distinction Yet there was around her an angelic
gravity, and that indefinable air of solitude, which she had brought
from innocent studies and long seclusion from the tumult and follies of
life.

Of all this charming womanhood the young man at her side was profoundly
conscious. He was the gallant gentleman of his day, hardly touching the
tips of her fingers, but quite ready to fall on his knees before her. A
tall, sunbrowned, military-looking young man, as handsome as a Greek
god, with eyes of heroic form; lustrous, and richly fringed; and a
beautiful mouth, at once sensitive and seductive. He was also very
finely dressed, in the best and highest mode; and he wore his sword as
if it were a part of himself. It was no more in his way than if it were
his right arm. Indeed, all his movements were full of confidence and
ease; and yet it was the vivacity, vitality, and ready response of his
face that was most attractive.

His wonderful eyes were bent upon the maid at his side; he saw no other
earthly thing. With a respectful eagerness, full of admiration, he
talked to her; and she answered his words--whatever they were--with a
smile that might have moved mountains. They passed the two old men
without any consciousness of their presence, and Van Heemskirk smiled,
and then sighed, and then said softly--