"The Netherlands will not endure the measures of Your Eminence."
"Then they are rebels against the King's authority," replied the Cardinal proudly, "for I do nothing of myself, but all as the instrument of Madrid; and now we are speaking with this boldness, I tell you, in the name of King Philip, to warn your friends Montigny and Berghen to be more obedient to the commands of the Inquisition in their provinces."
William looked at the Cardinal.
"The King promised not to introduce the Inquisition," he said.
"I am not the keeper of the King's conscience," replied the Cardinal adroitly, "but I can bear witness that His Majesty is introducing nothing—the Inquisition was in the Netherlands in the Emperor's time."
"But it was never enforced," replied the Prince, "and in many provinces unknown, so that there are whole villages, nay, townships, of those of the Reformed Faith."
"What is the Reformed Faith or the Netherlands to you?" asked Granvelle keenly—"you, a Provençal prince, a German count, a Spanish grandee, a Catholic?"
"As to that," replied the Prince lightly, "I am Stadtholder of some Netherland provinces, and one of the advisers to the Regent, therefore I think I do well to protest against measures which I foresee bringing ruin on His Majesty's dominions—and I do not believe in punishing people for their private faith."
"That sentiment would be a dangerous one were you a common man," returned the Cardinal.
"I know," smiled William, "and it is against such things that I protest."