At this moment a dark, light-footed girl flies into the window, crying: “This way! Quick!”
Alva calls his men to turn about—but it is too late—they all have been so concerned in the execution that they have not noticed the rush of men who are now upon them headed by Corker, with a wild English cheer.
It’s scarce a moment ere the astonished body guard are either cut to pieces or driven off to be pursued and butchered in the outer darkness round the house, leaving their master all alone among his enemies, though unwounded; for his armor has shed pistol and arquebus balls. His head is unhelmed and in a minute he would be dead, for Chester now has sword within his hand, and coming up he cries: “It is my turn now! My Lord of Alva!”
Then round the iron Duke, who looks steadfastly on the doom that is upon him, are thrown a pair of girl’s white arms, and Hermoine de Alva from off her father’s breast beseeches: “Spare him, if you have mercy on me! Spare him, husband, if you would have a happy bride in your arms to-night—for in your arms I should remember that you were the murderer of my father.”
“Spare him, young man, I charge you, as I saved you,” cries the priest.
“Yes, that you did, good Father Anastasius,” cries Hermoine, as Guy drops his hand; and in another moment the hermit priest gets such a kiss as never St. Anthony had, else he had succumbed; and the good father murmurs: “For this feast of the flesh I will fast another week!”
But they are all laughing now, and joyous, save Don Fernando, as he mutters: “What ransom?”
Then to Guy’s eyes come the picture of the blockaded town, the men gaunt with hunger, the famishing women—the starving children—and he answers: “The freedom of Haarlem!” and feels he has a nation in this chance.
“Never! I have gold to pay for my life, but before one banner recedes from Haarlem leaguer, or one soldier turns his back upon that town, hew me down!” is Alva’s determined answer. “Butcher me if you will, [[266]]but no one shall say that Don Fernando de Toledo sold for his life his allegiance to his sovereign.”
“Let them have a little bread.” Guy is pleading now.