"You defy the Emperor?" demanded the Landgrave hotly.
"I have answered the Emperor—I have answered King Philip—I have explained myself to all Europe." He exerted himself to speak pleasantly, but behind the tolerance of his tone was a certain indignation.
The Landgrave was baffled and irritated.
"You are obstinate, Highness, but that will not save you. What do you hope to do?"
"To enter the Netherlands while Louis holds Alva in check in Friesland."
"And if you fail? Can you pay the troops? Have you a means of retreat?"
"I have not counted the cost so closely," replied William. "I hope that the great cities will open to me and that I shall not lack wherewith to pay my troops—if not, I can but pledge my word that these debts shall be redeemed when I can achieve the means."
"Do you ever hope to obtain your estates again?"
"I hope everything," said William, and he smiled with his unconquerable cheerfulness, which was like the cheerfulness of Louis, impervious to all attacks. Gloom, melancholy, and despondency were unknown to the House of Nassau. "And yet I expect nothing," he added. "I make neither boasts nor prophecies, Landgrave; I but take the instruments to my hand and do what I may with them."
"Your motive?" cried the other. "Is Your Highness ambitious or fanatic?"