The Prince lingered last; he put a purse of thalers into Duprès' hand and thanked him courteously.
"Seigneur," said the skryer with emotion, "I will tell no one but I will tell you, who are a very prudent Prince, that those knights I saw slain had the faces of your brothers—of Count Louis, Count Adolphus, and one who is not here, and Duke Christopher."
"And the murdered man?" asked William, turning on him his powerful eyes.
"It was Your Highness," replied Duprès, bowing his head.
"All of us!" said the Prince lightly. "Was it John you saw, or Henry—that third cavalier?"
"It was not His Grace, John, but one younger whom I have never seen."
"It was a fearful vision," said William, "and maybe it was but some distempered fancy. Yet," he added, with sudden gravity, "if honour called, the House of Nassau would make even the sacrifice you saw prefigured."
He smiled at the skryer in the fashion which made all men his friends, and hastened away to the festivals at the town hall.
Again the city belfries rocked with the ringing of the joy-bells, again the summer night was lit with splendid illuminations, and all the sweet languor of this rich season of the year was blended with the magnificence of princely rejoicings.
The young grandee crossing the town square lifted his eyes to the stars and gazed at those three which form a diamond sword in the heavens.
After the third day of tourney had completed the marriage festivities, the Prince of Orange, his bride, and their train—swelled now by Anne's attendants—set out for Brussels.
Vanderlinden was among the magnificent assembly who wished them God-speed, and he found occasion to hand Rénèe le Meung a charm in the shape of the figure seven cut in jade and set with little studs of gold. This would, he said, keep her from harm while she resided in Brussels, for seven was the lucky number of that city which was under the direct influence of the seven planets, and owned seven churches, seven gates, and seven senators.
Rénèe thanked him with tears in her eyes and a sad smile on her lips as she turned to leave the land that had been a refuge, even if in exile, and set her face towards her own country which was so full of peril for her and contained unutterable memories.