"I have not offended His Majesty," persisted the Stadtholder of Tournay and Tournaisis.
"Ah, Baron!" cried Hoogstraaten, "you offended all Spain when you refused to burn the poor heretics!"
"I detest and spurn the Inquisition," answered Montigny warmly. "I go to Madrid to protest against it—but never, Count, have I done anything to anger Church or King."
"That is known only to Philip and to Granvelle!" said William, looking down at the bed of flowers at his feet. "Do not go—it is so useless!"
"Count Egmont failed," urged Hoogstraaten.
"I shall not be so easily caressed," returned Montigny.
"The worse for you," answered the Prince. "Those the Spanish cannot fool they will win another way. And your going is for nothing. If Philip will pay no heed to what the Regent writes, will he pay heed to what you and Berghen say? Did he pay heed to you before? Does he heed any argument?"
"I am not hopeful," admitted Montigny, with a slight sadness in his voice. "But I have been chosen, and I cannot, without disloyalty, refuse."
The Prince still stood looking down at the flowers which were gently waving their soft heavy heads together.
"Do not go," he said for the third time. "Let another man take this mission. You are young, you are just wed——"