"Why not?" the young man quietly retorted.

"Because doing so would simply be signing the death warrant
of Cornelius and John de Witt."

"We shall see," his Highness replied, with the most perfect
coolness; "God alone knows what is going on within the
hearts of men."

The officer looked askance at the impassible figure of his
companion, and grew pale: he was an honest man as well as a
brave one.

From the spot where they stood, his Highness and his
attendant heard the tumult and the heavy tramp of the crowd
on the staircase of the Town-hall. The noise thereupon
sounded through the windows of the hall, on the balcony of
which Mynheers Bowelt and D'Asperen had presented
themselves. These two gentlemen had retired into the
building, very likely from fear of being forced over the
balustrade by the pressure of the crowd.

After this, fluctuating shadows in tumultuous confusion were
seen flitting to and fro across the windows: the council
hall was filling.

Suddenly the noise subsided, and as suddenly again it rose
with redoubled intensity, and at last reached such a pitch
that the old building shook to the very roof.