Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/157

 CHAPTER XX.

A CANCELLED DEBT.

" sorry, Heer Chenoweth, that I can do nothing to secure your father's release," said the Prince of Orange to the young advocate after the tumult had subsided and terms of peace had been accepted. "If your father had been arrested for some civil offence, I could assist you. But unfortunately he is a prisoner of the Inquisition, and to attempt to interfere with this authority would mean angering the Catholics and renewing the strife. It would take but a spark to fan the flame of discord into a mighty conflagration. To-morrow I shall be an outlawed rebel. I have refused to take the Regent's test oath of loyalty, and leave the Netherlands to-day for my estates in Germany."

Conrad bade his friend and patron farewell with regret, and with a sad heart returned to inform his mother of the failure of his mission.

Concerning these days of darkness and anguish we will keep reverent silence. Each disciple is sooner or later called to keep vigil with his Master, 149