Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/193

 “Certainly, but return to me just as soon as your commissions are executed.”

“That is impossible. I herewith tender my resignation as officer in the King’s army. If my sword leaves its scabbard again, it will be to help drive the hated Spaniard from our free soil. It will never be drawn in the service of a perjured and ungrateful King. Hold my resignation a month, and if at the expiration of that time you hear nothing from me, send it to headquarters. I must use my military dress to help me pass unquestioned over the country.”

“I am sorry to lose you, Van Straalen. I am just ordered to send what men I can spare for an expedition into France, to help Catharine de Medici subjugate ‘he Huguenots. I had thought of entrusting you with this mission, although I fancy it would not be to your liking.”

“Decidedly not! I should much rather join hands with the Huguenots than to fight against them. It is time that I left the army, for I cannot slay the defenders of the faith I profess. I will now say good-by, and hasten on my journey. My father’s servant will accompany me.”

Had the country been free of access to travellers, the distance from the French frontier to Brussels could have been traversed in a comparatively short time. The chief danger lay in encountering bands of common soldiers, who were reconnoitering the