With Egmont he would have gladly stayed, but he had no mind to eat and drink with Mansfeld and Berty.
He took his farewells. Egmont looked at him a little wistfully; mutual affection had gone deep into the hearts of each.
The Count had moved to the door, and as William passed he advanced a step.
The Prince turned and suddenly embraced him, clasping him for a second to his heart; then with tears in his eyes he left the room.
There were tears too on Egmont's cheek.
"He looked at me as if he thought never to see me again!" he said.
"A landless, exiled, powerless man," remarked Mansfeld. "How low is the great Prince of Orange fallen!"
A little maid entered the room to prepare the dinner; she looked with wonder and reverence at the three gentlemen, who had none of them revealed their identity.
"Oh, seigneurs!" she said, "who is the young cavalier who has just ridden away? He never saluted the Virgin above the door, and in these days——!"
Mansfeld glanced at Egmont.