"Nay, they are peaceful in Saxony," said the Prince serenely. "I was thinking of the Elector Palatine."
Granvelle made a dignified movement with his hand as if he swept aside all the other's arguments.
"His Majesty is not to be frightened by either rebellious people, jealous nobles, nor the heretic Princes of Germany from proceeding in his duty to God and his subjects. Nay, I am so persuaded of the fervency of the King for the Holy Church that I believe he could sacrifice the Netherlands, and every soul within them, sooner than allow them to become the breeding-ground of heresy."
"And in this you would support him?" asked William gravely.
"With all my power," replied the Cardinal, "and at peril of my life."
"You are a poor politician then," said the Prince.
"I am a good churchman," returned Granvelle calmly, "and that is all I ever made pretence to be."
"So His Majesty, you think, would sooner ruin the Netherlands than suffer them to become heretical?" remarked the Prince.
"I do believe it, and in that resolve the Duke of Alva does support him—and myself."
William rose.