"Somewhat more, methinks. This very tale proves thee my guardian angel,
and all else avouches it, so come to Gouda manse."

"Well, go you on, I'll follow."

"Nay, in the cart with me."

"Not so."

"Why?"

"Can I tell why and wherefore, being a woman? All I know is I seem--to
feel--to wish--to come alone."

"So be it then. I leave thee the cart, being, as thou sayest, a woman,
and I'll go a-foot, being a man again, with the joyful tidings of thy
coming."

When Margaret reached the manse the first thing she saw was the two
Gerards together, the son performing his capriccios on the plot, and the
father slouching on a chair, in his great hat, with pencil and paper,
trying very patiently to sketch him.

After a warm welcome he showed her his attempts. "But in vain I strive
to fix him," said he, "for he is incarnate quick silver, Yet do but note
his changes, infinite, but none ungracious; all is supple and easy; and
how he melteth from one posture to another," He added presently, "Woe to
illuminators I looking on thee, sir baby, I see what awkward, lopsided,
ungainly toads I and my fellows painted missals with, and called them
cherubs and seraphs," Finally he threw the paper away in despair, and
Margaret conveyed it secretly into her bosom.

At night when they sat round the peat fire he bade them observe how
beautiful the brass candlesticks and other glittering metals were in
the glow from the hearth. Catherine's eyes sparkled at this observation,
"And oh the sheets I lie in here," said he, "often my conscience
pricketh me, and saith, 'Who art thou to lie in lint like web of snow?'
Dives was ne'er so flaxed as I. And to think that there are folk in
the world that have all the beautiful things which I have here yet not
content. Let them pass six months in a hermit's cell, seeing no face of
man, then will they find how lovely and pleasant this wicked world is,
and eke that men and women are God's fairest creatures. Margaret was
always fair, but never to my eye so bright as now." Margaret shook her
head incredulously, Gerard continued, "My mother was ever good and kind,
but I noted not her exceeding comeliness till now."

"Nor I neither," said Catherine; "a score years ago I might pass in a
crowd, but not now."

Gerard declared to her that each age had its beauty. "See this mild grey
eye," said he, "that hath looked motherly love upon so many of us,
all that love hath left its shadow, and that shadow is a beauty