Now, went on Montalvo, as he knew well, every man and woman in that room would share his horror of traitorous and blasphemous heretics—­here most of the company crossed themselves, especially those who were already secret adherents of the New Religion.  Still, even heretics had a right to a fair trial; at least he, who although a soldier by profession, was a man who honestly detested unnecessary bloodshed, held that opinion.  Also long experience taught him great mistrust of the evidence of informers, who had a money interest in the conviction of the accused.  Lastly, it did not seem well to him that the name of a young and noble lady should be mixed up in such a business.  As they knew under the recent edicts, his powers in these cases were absolute; indeed, in his official capacity he was ordered at once to consign any suspected of Anabaptism or other forms of heresy to be dealt with by the appointed courts, and in the case of people who had escaped, to cause them, on satisfactory proof of their identity, to be executed instantly without further trial.  Under these circumstances, fearing that did the lady knew his purpose she might take fright, he had, he confessed, resorted to artifice, as he was very anxious both for her sake and in the interest of justice that she should bear testimony in the matter.  So he asked her to accompany him on a short drive while he attended to a business affair; a request to which she had graciously assented.

“Friends,” he went on in a still more solemn voice, “the rest of my story is short.  Indeed I do congratulate myself on the decision that I took, for when confronted with the prisoner our young and honourable hostess was able upon oath to refute the story of the spy with the result that I in my turn was to save an unfortunate, and, as I believe, a half-crazed creature from an immediate and a cruel death.  Is it not so, lady?” and helpless in the net of circumstance, not knowing indeed what else to do, Lysbeth bowed her head in assent.

“I think,” concluded Montalvo, “that after this explanation, what may have appeared to be a breach of manners will be forgiven.  I have only one other word to add.  My position is peculiar; I am an official here, and I speak boldly among friends taking the risk that any of you present will use what I say against me, which for my part I do not believe.  Although there is no better Catholic and no truer Spaniard in the Netherlands, I have been accused of showing too great a sympathy with your people, and of dealing too leniently with those who have incurred the displeasure of our Holy Church.  In the cause of right and justice I am willing to bear such aspersions; still this is a slanderous world, a world in which truth does not always prevail.  Therefore, although I have told you nothing but the bare facts, I do suggest in the interests of your hostess—­in my own humble interest who might be misrepresented, and I may add in the interest of every one present at this board—­that it will perhaps be well that the details of the story which I have had the honour of telling you should not be spread about—­that they should in fact find a grave within these walls?  Friends, do you agree?”