“Mynheer—it is the law—all the magistrates have signed.”
The secretary held out the document as he spoke.
“Then they are perjured,” replied the Ruard proudly.
“Do you use that word of His Highness’ friends?” demanded Captain Hoogewerf in a loud voice.
Cornelius de Witt drew himself up higher in his bed—
“I use that word of any one who has sworn to the Perpetual Edict and then declares His Highness Stadtholder.”
His wife turned to him quickly.
“Cornelius—His Highness is master in Dordt—M. Muys hath come to read you the act so proclaiming him.”
He glanced at her rather curiously, and she, reading some reproach in his eyes, sank down on the chair at his bedside and hid her face in her hand.