Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/327

Rh the last tender, anxious touches to the array of her beloved charge. Presently the door opened, and Gysbert laughingly demanded admission,—Gysbert no longer a little lad of fourteen, but a tall fine youth of  nineteen. He entered at his sister’s bidding, and surveyed her admiringly from top to  toe.

“Thou art perfect, my Jacqueline, but no one knows how I hate to part with thee,  even to Pieter whom I do certainly love.”

“But thou art not parting with me, Gysbert. Are we not going to stay right here with thee and father? I shall be with thee as much as ever!”

“Well, I suppose that is true. After all, I am only gaining a brother by this! But dost thou remember, Jacqueline, how we used to  talk over our ambitions up there on Hengist  Hill? I am in a fair way to gain mine, for what dost thou think!—Karel Van Mander  told father that I bid fair to become a great  artist if I persevere, and he is the greatest