“I am no degenerate wretch, who betrays his parents’ house; I desire to be no slave, no Spaniard; I am a Netherlander, like yourself.”

But he did not go, did not speak, he remained sitting motionless till the ceremony was over and Junker von Warmond conducted him under the linden.  Van Hout and both the Van der Does had joined the magistrates who had administered the oath.  Bowing silently, Nicolas delivered his father’s letter to the burgomaster.

Van der Werff broke the seal, and after reading it, handed it to the other gentlemen, then turning to Nicolas, said: 

“Wait here, Junker.  Your father counsels us to yield the city to the Spaniards, and promises a pardon from the King.  You cannot doubt the answer, after what you have heard in this place.”

“There is but one,” cried Van Hout, in the midst of reading the letter.  “Tear the thing up and make no reply.”

“Ride home, in God’s name,” added Janus Dousa.  “But wait, I’ll give you something more for Valdez.”

“Then you will vouchsafe no reply to my father’s letter?” asked Nicolas.

“No, Junker.  We wish to hold no intercourse with Baron Matanesse,” replied the commissioner.  “As for you, you can return home or wait here; just as you choose.”

“Go to your cousin, Junker,” said Janus Dousa kindly; “it will probably be an hour before I can find paper, pen and sealing wax.  Fraulein Van Hoogstraten will be glad to hear, through you, from her father.”

“If agreeable to you, young sir,” added the burgomaster; “my house stands open to you.”

Nicolas hesitated a moment, then said quickly:  “Yes, take me to her.”

When the youth had reached the north end of the city with Herr von Warmond, who had undertaken to accompany him, he asked the latter: 

“Are you Junker Van Duivenvoorde, Herr von Warmond?”

“I am.”

“And you captured Brill, with the Beggars, from the Spaniards?”

“I had that good fortune.”

“And yet, you are of a good old family.  And were there not other noblemen with the Beggars also?”

“Certainly.  Do you suppose it ill-beseems us, to have a heart for our ancestors’ home?  My forefathers, as well as yours, were noble before a Spaniard ever entered the land.”

But King Philip rules us as the lawful sovereign.”

“Unhappily.  And therefore we obey his Stadtholder, the Prince, who reigns in his name.  The perjured hangman needs a guardian.  Ask on; I’ll answer willingly.”

Nicolas did not heed the request, but walked silently beside his companion until they reached the Achtergracht.  There he stood still, seized the captain’s arm in great excitement, and said hastily in low, broken sentences: