Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/245

 “He has been better to me than my fears,” replied Conrad. “May He forgive me that for a time I doubted His love.”

A tap sounded on the door, and the face of Doña Isidore appeared.

“I shall have to interrupt you, Seigneur Chenoweth,” she said. “You have been here more than an hour, and my charge will not be in good condition to travel to-morrow unless she sleeps soundly to-night. Bid her adieu for a short time.”

Conrad immediately took leave of his lady, with loving assurances of a speedy reunion in Leyden. He felt confident that his mother would welcome his promised wife with great jay.

Conrad took Doña Isidore’s hand before leaving the house, and pressed a kiss upon it. “I cannot now express my gratitude to you in fitting words,” he said, in a broken voice.

“Believe me, it has been a pleasure to assist one so good and so beautiful as Mistress Van Straalen. I am glad that I have been permitted in this small way to atone for some of the cruelty of my fellow countrymen.” And the dark eyes of the charming Spanish Doña were full of tears as she spoke.