Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/183

 Please furnish me with the necessary passports which will enable me to reach the capital in safety."

The superior officer was full of sympathy for his friend. Although the son of Baron Berlaymont, he was tolerant, and he had learned that Protestants made more reliable soldiers than the Catholics.

"Have you friends of influence in Brussels who can assist you?" he inquired.

"I place great hopes on Count Egmont. He has always befriended me since I served under him, and his influence at court is considerable."

"If my father were not a fanatic, he might help you to secure your father's estate, which is legally yours by the ancient law of the land. But why do I speak of him? He regards every heretic as a sworn enemy to the government. He has tried in vain to thrust his popish ideas down my throat. I know that the Protestants are as sincerely attached to the government as the oath of allegiance can make them. All they want is liberty of worship, and by the mass they have a right to demand that! Suppose the Regent should try to force the Catholics to worship some other way! What a howl of execration would ascend all over the land! Go, by all means, Van Straalen, and I will help you all that I can."