"Nay," said Egmont, "it is His cause, as any priest will tell you."
"I spoke of God, not of priests," answered the Prince.
"This is bold saying," remarked Mansfeld. "Has the insolent blasphemy of Calvin or Luther found so high a convert? Has the raving, vulgar fury of the field-preacher shaken the faith of the Prince of Orange?"
Mansfeld spoke with bitter irony and his face coloured with indignation.
William smiled.
"Ah, I am studying theology!" he said. "I may find comfort from Geneva as easily as from Rome when I have finished my learning."
He looked straightly at Mansfeld.
"I was bred a heretic," he added.
Mansfeld rose.
"Enough," he said. "I see this conference is useless."