"I am well aware that I have enemies capable of assassinating me, but I am able to despise them, even"—his glance again swept the silent three—"if these here are among those willing to lie in wait to do me a mischief."
"Whoever advised you so, lied!" cried Brederode.
The Cardinal leant farther from the window. "Who are those behind you?" he asked. "Methinks I know the figure of the Seigneur Hoogstraaten, or is it some page? And a member of the House of Nassau—would it be now—Adolphus or Louis?"
"Adolphus," answered that knight, who would not involve his brother in his adventure; "and by your leave we have as good right to be abroad as yourself."
"An amorous adventure?" smiled Granvelle. "Yet a church door is a strange rendezvous."
"Your Eminence knows best of that," said Brederode, with utter recklessness. "There are others beside you who know how to reconcile love and the Church."
Granvelle was well-known to be far from saintly, and the thrust caused him to wince. Adolphus caught Brederode's sleeve and besought him to hush.
"How many insolences go unchecked in the Netherlands!" said Granvelle softly. "But the King is not so easily mocked. Your names are all noted in Madrid."
"Go there and remind His Majesty of them," answered Brederode, "and place my name high on the list, and say I sent you there to write it."
Hoogstraaten pulled him back, and Montigny, disdaining to be disguised now his companions were discovered, moved forward, while Adolphus deftly set his back against the placard.