Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/211

 one lever which could raise this piece of granite from its foundations.

He drew his writing materials toward him and wrote a few lines on a piece of paper.

“There, Doña de Cisneros, the girl is yours. You are an eloquent pleader. I do not think that I have done a wise thing, but I simply cannot refuse you.”

“You are very gracious and very kind,” said the lady, giving her hand to Alva, which he gallantly kissed. “I trust that all your schemes for overthrowing the Dutch may prosper. For my part, I am sick of this amphibious country, with its dikes, its canals, and its flatness. I long for beautiful, sunny, mountainous Spain!”

“You fairly make me homesick, Doña,” said the Duke. “I hope to subjugate the country soon, that I may return to my native land.”