Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/291

 a Protestant, and the son of a Calvinist who had been martyred for his faith. He desired to serve the Prince, and although he possessed a villainous countenance the Prince, always loath to believe a man to be other than he claimed to be, took him into his household. On the tenth of July, as the Prince was coming up the stairs to his chamber, having just dined, a man suddenly appeared on the stairs within a few feet of him and discharged a pistol at William's heart. Three poisoned balls entered his body, and the Prince, feeling that death was near, exclaimed, 'O God, have mercy upon my soul! Have mercy on this poor people!' These were the only words he spoke. In a few moments he breathed his last in the arms of his wife. His murderer was in reality Balthazar Gérard, a fanatical Catholic, who believed it to be his mission to rid the world of that 'foul heretic,' William of Orange. He confided his diabolical scheme to the Regent of the Jesuit College at Tréves, whose name history has not preserved. That dignitary gave Gérard his blessing, and told him that if he performed his mission he should be enrolled with the martyrs."

"And what became of Gérard? Was he allowed to escape?"

"No. He was speedily captured, and was literally torn in pieces. This cruel execution was an