"Surely you can, surely you will," said Louis, with enthusiasm and reverence.
"Yet do not think me sanguine," answered the Prince gravely. "I know what I undertake. I know the might of Spain. Egmont might have done something, but that chance is past. Oh, I am not sanguine! I think before this struggle is over Granvelle may count all his enemies among the dead. Berghen has gone—Montigny, Egmont, Hoorne are doomed—nay, are we not all doomed?"
"Doomed?" repeated Louis quietly.
"By Philip. He has judged and condemned us, and his vengeance has many faces. If you go on, Louis, go on as I shall, as a man devoted to a cause almost hopeless—as one under sentence of death."
"It does not frighten me," answered the young Count simply. "I love the cause and I love the commander!"
He kissed his brother's hand.
"It is some time," he added, "since I entreated to be your lieutenant."
William smiled.
"Where is your 'beggars'' league now, Louis? Drowned as it was born, in Brederode's wassail bowl! What did those men prove? Good fellows, but none of them of any worth save Culemburg and Ste Aldegonde."
Louis flushed.