Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/53

 Dost know, boy, the consequences of serving God with a pure conscience? Outside in the market-place to-night there has been a foretaste of the terrors which await the heretic: the loathsome dungeon, the iron chain, the accursed gallows, and the cruel flames. Think, boy, of the physical agony, and then tell me, art thou ready to follow Junius in this way of sorrow? Art thou willing to die for the truth?”

Hugo Berlaymont grew as pale as a marble statue. Every nerve quivered and shrank from the terrible picture of human suffering, The weakness of the flesh plead with him to draw back while yet there was opportunity. But a new-born faith triumphed. With a steady voice and with dauntless eyes the lad replied:

“I am willing, so help me Christ!”

“Amen,” said Junius, tenderly embracing the boy. “God hath surely set His seal upon thy soul, in that He hath taken away both the love and the fear of the world.”

Then placing his hand on the young lord's head he added solemnly, “The Lord bless thee and keep thee; the Lord grant thee, not peace, which is the portion of the coward, but a Christian warfare; if needful, a martyr's death, at all events a victor's crown. Now, my boy, I shall shortly leave the Netherlands for Germany. I will introduce you to a young advocate who is a stanch believer, who