“Eight men! Ah! That was a gallant deed. Eight men capture a garrison. But Louis of Nassau is [[164]]doubtless hurrying in his men-at-arms from France into the city. Your hero is safe now, little Mina!” cries Guy, forgetting his rôle of Spanish officer, in enthusiasm for his friend’s valor and glory.
“Yes, he’s safe, for the present,” murmurs Hermoine. “He is a gallant man and a great painter. I will look after his altar piece. But, oh misericordia!” she puts her eyes up to heaven and says piteously: “I pray God my father may never capture him alive.” Then turning to Mina she says very solemnly: “If you ever have word with your lover again, pray him as he fears the pangs of Hades, not to be captured alive! It is a pity so gallant a spirit ate my father’s bread and yet betrayed him. Still, Major Guido Amati, I charge you, by your word of honor as a gentleman, to save this poor girl from my father’s wrath.”
“Quick, put her in the carriage,” mutters Guy to Bodé Volcker.
And the Burgomaster, taking his daughter out, Hermoine de Alva whispers: “See, I have faith in you. How little I believe that you are libertine and roué. This girl is beautiful. I have placed her in your hands, for I believe in you as maiden did in knight of old.”
“By Saint George and the Dragon! you may trust me.” Then Chester, bending his knee, puts his lips upon the lips held up to him, for he hears Bodé Volcker’s crying: “Haste!”
Passing out, the last look that Chester receives from the beautiful eyes of the lady of his heart is one of ineffable trust, and he knows that through good report and evil report Hermoine de Alva will believe in Major Guido Amati de Medina, of Romero’s foot, as her knight and champion.
At the carriage door the Burgomaster presses the Englishman’s hand and whispers: “Every arrangement has been made, drive straight to the ship,” then falters, “You have her in your hands. As you do by my Mina may God do by you. Quick! the tide is now just on the first ebb.”
Driving hastily to the Esperanza Guy, boarding the vessel, finds Olins ready with the clearance papers of the ship. Then exhibiting his charter to a custom house officer in waiting, and it being approved, the vessel [[165]]casts off hastily from the dock and spreading every sail to the breeze, for time is very precious now, the ebb tide bears them down the Schelde.
About an hour and a half after this the Esperanza has put the Fort of Lillo behind her and is making for the open ocean, upon which the sailors of Holland claim dominion over the mercenaries of Alva.
As he gazes over his quarter at the grinning bombards and culverins of the Spaniard, Chester draws a long breath of relief. He has escaped again from Antwerp; the treasure of the Duke is yet unscathed—though he has gained a hundred kisses—for every one of which he would have risked his life a hundred times. But his men have had no kisses, and guessing they have also gained no treasure, are disposed to grumble.