"Give me words of good omen!" cried Montigny, with a laugh and a frown.
"Good omen!" said William firmly. "I find no words of good omen in my heart. Yet"—he sought for the same consolation which he had given Hélène d'Espinoy—"it is true that Philip can reach one here as easily as in Madrid——"
They turned now towards the house, to which the women had already gone; and presently the Montignys took their leave, he being due at his last audience with the Regent.
Hoogstraaten lingered a little after him to question the Prince anxiously.
"He is infatuate—do you think he goes into great danger?"
"I think neither he nor Berghen will return," answered William. "And I am sorry for that poor child, his wife—sorry beyond words."
He turned away quickly, then turned back again and caught Count Hoogstraaten warmly by the hand.
"You will not leave me, Antony?"
"I am your poor servant always," replied the Count, with great affection; "content to be guided by you, and you alone, in all these troubles."
Then he too left. William watched his little, gallant figure ride away, and then returned to the antechamber where he had parted from Montigny and his wife.