A DREAM OF RUBENS. CHAPTER I. IDLE DREAMS. "Do noble deeds, not dream them, all day long." C. KINGSLEY. OU'LL take care of each other when I'm gone, lads? You'll always "And Rubie-you'll not part with Rubie, whatever happens? He was your mother's favourite; he's been a good servant to me, and he's faithful and sensible enough to take care of you both. It would take a bold man to touch you when Rubie's by. You'll keep him with you?' "Yes, father." The faint voice, which has spoken these words, ceases, and there is silence in the little room. It is one of those interiors with which Flemish artists have made us familiar. There is the mud floor; the open fire-place with a soup-pot hanging over it all day; the table with a bunch of red carrots upon it, and a knife lying by them; the Delft ware on the shelf, and the oldfashioned box-bed at the far side of the room. It is about this bed that the chief interest of the picture centres. A pale, haggard man is lying there, plainly drawing near to the shadowy valley of Death; for its mists are already before his eyes, and its dews upon his brow. Close beside his pillow, sitting together on the same wooden stool, with their arms round each other's shoulders, are two boys, twins most certainly from the strong likeness there is between them; which likeness-with a difference -may also be traced on the face upon the pillow. They are all three Flemings, you can see that; but not Flemings of the ordinary everyday type. |