At which reply the Prince appeared much pleased, for, addressing himself to Mr. Bentinck: "'T is indeed a pious family," he remarked, "and such mutual faith can hardly go with treason. And, on my conscience, William," he went on, "the tale has an appearance." Then, to my father: "If all this be true, Sir Michael, you are much abused." "How that, Your Highness?" asked the old man. "By a son," said the Prince, "departing from the faith of his fathers." "It is between him and his Maker," replied Sir Michael, with a touch of pride. "And by me," continued His Highness, "departing from the courtesy incumbent upon princes. Does that stand in the same awful arbitrament, Sir Michael?" "If Your Highness do me right," said my father, "'t is between us two, and shall go no further." "That is kindly said, sir," answered the Prince. "So, if this be all true--as it must be, if you have not all the art of deceiving the most naturally in the world--I must needs fling pardon broadcast, eh?" "I do not see what other course is open to Your Highness," said my father. But here the Prince's face grew vastly stern: "Except to this priest," he said, "who, if he has not aimed at my life, is at least my enemy, however honorable." "My son?" asked Sir Michael; and my heart was sore to see the pallor of his cheek. "Ay, sir, your son--I must have your son. Captain Royston's deed may become the man of heart, however ill it fits the office of the soldier. But your son is my open enemy. Must I lose both culprits?" And so a shadow fell again upon us all, and with it a solemn silence, which endured, I believe, all the time that I was absent from the hall. Certain it is that when I returned in my brother's company not one of the three looked as if he had spoken. When Philip stood before him, the Prince for a while eyed him with great keenness, which rejoiced me to see; for surely no man had ever words so eloquent to speak in his own defence as was my brother's pure and noble countenance. "Do you come of your own will to see me?" His Highness at length enquired. "I do," said my brother. "And wherefore?" demanded the Prince. "To take what blame I may from my friends," Philip answered. "I have heard your story, sir," said the Prince. "If you would escape the fate that comes of ill company, describe to me now him that constrained you in this matter." "I may not," replied Philip. "Tell me, then," said His Highness, "what power he held over you." "I must not," said Philip. This reply seemed not a little to vex the Prince. "Must not!" he cried. "Nay, then," said the priest gently, "an Your Highness like it better, I will not." "'May not, must not, will not,'" said William, bitterly quoting his words; "by the rule of war, Sir Priest, I may hang you to that tree. Deny me not, for may can wax greater in other mouths." "Hanging," says Philip very coolly, "is little likely to rob me of the power to hold my tongue."