Lysbeth, a Tale of the Dutch by H. Rider Haggard

  Three days later Montalvo made an announcement to Lysbeth. For a wonderhe was supping at home alone with his wife, whose presence he hadcommanded. She obeyed and attended, sitting at the further end of thetable, whence she rose from time to time to wait upon him with her ownhands. Watching him the while with her quiet eyes, she noticed that hewas ill at ease.

  "Cannot you speak?" he asked at last and savagely. "Do you think it ispleasant for a man to sit opposite a woman who looks like a corpse inher coffin till he wishes she were one?"

  "So do I," answered Lysbeth, and again there was silence.

  Presently she broke it. "What do you want?" she asked. "More money?"

  "Of course I want money," he answered furiously.

  "Then there is none; everything has gone, and the notary tells me thatno one will advance another stiver on the house. All my jewellery issold also."

  He glanced at her hand. "You have still that ring," he said.

  She looked at it. It was a hoop of gold set with emeralds ofconsiderable value which her husband had given her before marriage andalways insisted upon her wearing. In fact, it had been bought with themoney which he borrowed from Dirk van Goorl.

  "Take it," she said, smiling for the first time, and drawing off thering she passed it over to him. He turned his head aside as he stretchedhis hand towards the trinket lest his face should betray the shame whicheven he must feel.

  "If your child should be a son," he muttered, "tell him that his fatherhad nothing but a piece of advice to leave him; that he should nevertouch a dice-box."

  "Are you going away then?" she asked.

  "For a week or two I must. I have been warned that a difficulty hasarisen, about which I need not trouble you. Doubtless you will hear ofit soon enough, and though it is not true, I must leave Leyden until thething blows over. In fact I am going now."

  "You are about to desert me," she answered; "having got all my money,I say that you are going to desert me who am--thus! I see it in yourface."

  Montalvo turned away and pretended not to hear.

  "Well, thank God for it," Lysbeth added, "only I wish that you couldtake your memory and everything else of yours with you."

  As these bitter words passed her lips the door opened, and there enteredone of his own subalterns, followed by four soldiers and a man in alawyer's robe.

  "What is this?" asked Montalvo furiously.

  The subaltern saluted as he entered:

  "My captain, forgive me, but I act under orders, and they are to arrestyou alive, or," he added significantly, "dead."

  "Upon what charge?" asked Montalvo.

  "Here, notary, you had best read the charge," said the subaltern, "butperhaps the lady would like to retire first," he added awkwardly.

  "No," answered Lysbeth, "it might concern me."

  "Alas! Senora, I fear it does," put in the notary. Then he began to readthe document, which was long and legal. But she was quick to understand.Before ever it was done Lysbeth knew that she was not the lawful wife ofCount Juan de Montalvo, and that he was to be put upon his trial forhis betrayal of her and the trick he had played the Church. So shewas free--free, and overcome by that thought she staggered, fell, andswooned away.

  When her eyes opened again, Montalvo, officer, notary, and soldiers, allhad vanished.