“Well, who can say, that may be fortunate for you, especially if he should ever come to know or to care who you are.  But it is no affair of ours, is it?  Now, give me those letters.  What, do you want your money first?  Very well,” and, rising, Brant went to a cupboard and produced a small steel box, which he unlocked; and, having taken from it the appointed sum, locked it again.  “There you are,” he said; “oh, you needn’t stare at the cupboard; the box won’t live there after to-day, or anywhere in this house.  By the way, I understand that Montalvo never paid you.”

“Not a stiver,” she answered with a sudden access of rage; “the low thief, he promised to pay me after his marriage, but instead of rewarding her who put him in that warm nest, I tell you that already he has squandered every florin of the noble lady’s money in gambling and satisfying such debts as he was obliged to, so that to-day I believe that she is almost a beggar.”

“I see,” said Brant, “and now good morning, and look you, if we should chance to meet in the town, you will understand that I do not know you.”

“I understand, Mynheer,” said Black Meg with a grin and vanished.

When she had gone Brant rose and opened the window.  “Bah!” he said, “the air is poisoned.  But I think I frightened her, I think that I have nothing to fear.  Yet who can tell?  My God! she saw me reading the Bible, and Montalvo knows it!  Well, it is some time ago now, and I must take my chance.”

Ah! who could tell indeed?

Then, taking the miniatures and documents with him, Brant started to call upon his friend and co-religionist, the Heer Pieter van de Werff, Dirk van Goorl’s friend, and Lysbeth’s cousin, a young man for whose judgment and abilities he had a great respect.  As a result of this visit, these two gentlemen left that afternoon for Brussels, the seat of Government, where they had very influential friends.

It will be sufficient to tell the upshot of their visit.  Just at that time the Government of the Netherlands wished for its own reasons to stand well with the citizen class, and when those in authority learned of the dreadful fraud that had been played off upon a lady of note who was known to be a good Catholic, for the sole object of robbing her of her fortune, there was indignation in high places.  Indeed, an order was issued, signed by a hand which could not be resisted—­so deeply was one woman moved by the tale of another’s wrong—­that the Count Montalvo should be seized and put upon his trial, just as though he were any common Netherland malefactor.  Moreover, since he was a man with many enemies, no one was found to stand between him and the Royal decree.

Three days later Montalvo made an announcement to Lysbeth.  For a wonder he was supping at home alone with his wife, whose presence he had commanded.  She obeyed and attended, sitting at the further end of the table, whence she rose from time to time to wait upon him with her own hands.  Watching him the while with her quiet eyes, she noticed that he was ill at ease.