"He is reluctant, but he has accepted," said the lady, and again her glance turned towards the tennis court. "But I," she added suddenly, "I dread that he should go to Madrid!"
"You must not fancy disaster, Madame," returned William.
"I am not foolish," she quickly defended herself. "But I know he has offended the King by refusing to enforce the Inquisition in his provinces——"
"Ah, as to that, console yourself," said the Prince. "Philip has a long arm—your husband will be as safe in Madrid as his brother is here, Madame."
"You mean neither are safe?" she asked swiftly. "But there is special danger in Spain—ah, it is to walk into the lion's mouth for a Netherlander to go to Madrid! Count Egmont will not go again."
"That will not save him if he has incurred Spanish wrath," remarked William, with a sigh.
Montigny's wife rose with an agitated movement.
"What will happen?" she asked. "He will tell me nothing—Your Highness will be kinder, and tell me what will happen?"
She stood like a child before him, with her childish request on her lips and her little hands clasped on her white silk bodice.
"If I could tell!" smiled the Prince. "All is a confusion: the Regent is bewildered; she has no power to enforce her authority—the King is silent."