"Think you the Regent meant what she said?" he asked at length.
"I think she was frightened," said the Stadtholder of Brabant.
"She is not a clever woman," remarked the Prince of Orange. He turned his head stiffly in the great ruff and smiled at Hoorne. "I think she will render an ill account of her charge. She grows more confused every day."
"Why did His Majesty send a woman at all?" complained Hoorne fiercely.
"Because he wanted one not too strong," replied William. "It were wise to endeavour to restrain Brederode," he added. "His jests against the Cardinal are very daring, and may involve us all."
"Who is to argue with Brederode?" asked Egmont. "He and De la Marck are beyond all reason; and if their jests vex Granvelle, I am not the man to stop them."
"Granvelle smiles at jests; there are better ways to discomfit him than the drunken frolics of Brederode," returned William.
The conversation ceased, for they had entered a narrow street where their voices could easily be heard. Their talk turned on falconry.
"I wish I could get away for a while," said William. "The Elector gave me the prettiest hunting dog, as white as snow, and I would very willingly try him in the campaign. If I am to be ruined by the falconers, I would use them!" he laughed.
"Herr Jesus! how they cost!" sighed Lamoral Egmont, who was even deeper in debt than the Prince. "Never were the ducats so hard to come by, never were they so much needed."