's thoughts were recalled to the present moment
by hearing a light footstep ascending the stairs of the tower. A young
boy appeared, whose dress showed that he belonged to the upper orders,
his countenance animated and intelligent. "Why, Albert Van der Does,
what has brought you here in so great a hurry?" asked Jaqueline, as she
cast a glance at the boy's handsome face glowing with the exertion he
had made.

"I had gone to your house, and finding that you had come up here, I
thought you would give me leave to follow you," he answered.

"You have taken the leave, at all events," she said, smiling; "but what
object had you in coming here this morning?"

"A very important one; I want you to accept the remainder of my pigeons;
those I before gave you have become so tame and look so happy that I am
unwilling to deprive the others of the privilege of belonging to you."

"Is it only affection for your feathered friends that induces you to
make me the offer?" she asked, archly.

"I confess that I have another reason," he answered. "I shall no longer
have time to attend to my pets; I heard my father say that we shall soon
be engaged in more stirring work than we have had since the Spaniards
marched to the eastward. As soon as Count Louis forms a junction with
the Prince, every person capable of bearing arms should be prepared to
engage in the struggle, and I want, therefore, to practice the use of
weapons and to learn to be a soldier."

"You will make a brave one, I am sure," said Jaqueline.

"And will you accept my birds?" asked Albert.

"I cannot refuse what you so freely offer, though, if you repent, you
shall have them again," said Jaqueline.

"Then may I bring them to you this evening?" asked Albert.

"Thank you, Albert; we are always glad to see you; and if you bring your
pigeons, I promise to train and pet them as I have those you before gave
me," she answered.

"Then I will come this very evening, with your cousin Berthold, whom I
left at his books in my father's study. Fond as he is of his books, he
says that he must lay them aside to learn the use of arms with me; for
as soon as Count Louis appears, we intend to go out and join him. We
have but a short time to prepare, as, before many days are over, the
Count and his army will have fought their way to Delft, and we must
commence the work of driving the Spaniards out of our country or into
the rivers and meers, where they have sent so many of our brave