His life-work had been over before he entered the humble door, but he had cherished modest desires: some little leisure to teach his son and love his daughters, some peaceful time in which to draw nearer the God he had always served … in the heart his countrymen had broken.
He thought of all the things he had wished to do and had left undone—of his home and the farewells that morning that were never to be spoken again.
His heart seemed to contract, then swell, stifling him.
He turned in his chair with a quick movement of agony and saw his brother’s dark, resolute eyes gazing at him.
“Cornelius!”
“I curse myself that I brought you here,” said the Ruard.
“Even if I had foreseen this I would have come,” answered John. “We are at least together,” he smiled. “Since we have shared everything for so long it is good that we share this now.”
He went swiftly to the door and opened it on the two burgher officers without.
“Mynheeren,” he said courteously, “how go events without?”