The Spell of Belgium

ksmith o

le the atmosphere was laden with the mellow fragrance of the gorgeous plants which grew in wild, untutored luxuriance about the shady retreat. The fading li

say it must not be. Had I not affection for my father, do you believe

s. "Methinks it cannot be a very ardent flame when it is so ea

t the father if you love the child." The noble mind of the youth was struck with the reproof, and although op

ords have crazed my soul, which builds its happiness on the possession of you. I

ther has thrown off the coldness of a man and been a very woman in his affection for me. Shall I repay his kindness with ingratitude? Alas! Quentin, if he tells me to love ano

that blush, that agitation? Deceive me not, Elzia, you are not supposing a case. Thi

, and through her struggling tears sh

, his eyes fixed on hers, which, like the sun breaking through clouds of the passin

he asked with a voi

he answered

love him

an you

ou marr

r to me than my own. Think you

hy van

xcels in my f

spairing lover, "why

nfiding heart, all that he struggled for was lost-no, not lost-he could bear the thoughts of her death, he could weep over her grave, he could care for the flowers above it, but to think that the prize must be torn from him to be given to another's embrace, there wa

e with him?" he asked himself, as at length exhaus

te, the celebrated painter. People recounted the scenes he had delineated and lauded the artist to the skies. Quentin trembled and the cold perspiration gathered on his forehead as the nuptial cavalcade approached. They halted at the chapel and the groom conducted the bride all pale and trembling up the aisle to the altar. As t

ced a picture of this scene upon the wall. He drew each face, recoiling in surprise at the perfect resemblance to the individuals. As he finished the outline he beheld in it a faithful transfer of his dream, wanting nothing but colour. A thousand thoughts darted

he, striking his breast in a delirium of joy, "what migh

mured Elzia, "in meeting you, since I am an affianced bride. This night must be our last. It is a

t we shall meet no more; for, Elzia, could we meet but

f Quentin's affection is pure he

l wander to some distant clime and strive to bu

as it appeared and disappeared amid the foliage at intervals until it wa

a lasting monument to genius, and that he would best secure his daughter's happiness by uniting her to one who would be alive to all posterity in his works. Algini had therefore selected van Deg, as he was the boast of his country, and the figures of his creation wanted nothing but motion to make them the exact counterpart of the

ing he would wait without for an answer, that he had been bound by oath not to disclose who had commissioned him to de

her world? Her obedience causes her to submit. I lay claim to her affections, but do not pretend to alter your determination. You have the reputation of patronizing merit as it appears in painting. Defer the nuptials to this day twelve month, and let va

ial of skill in his favourite pursuit. He accordingly returned w

nd in answer to her inquiries concerning him, all that she had been able to learn was tha

ept a smiling face, although her

of the pictures which stood veiled on either side of the altar. At the proclamation van Deg glanced triumphantly around, and striding to the picture he had painted, uncurtained it to their view. A burst of applause rose from the audience as he di

wn aside and a cry of horror burst from the multitude as they pressed forward to behold it bett

re they had fully scanned it, it was thrust aside and another appeared in its place. This represented a lonely arbour in which Algini in his old age dangled a

ond measure, and as they beheld the you

ENTIN MATS

stepping from behind the canvas, "bu

, and to the happy husband Quentin Matsys, the Blacksmith o