nce of Orange."

"There was one fortress you might have defended, and that you thought
fit to abandon, regardless of the interests of the noble prince whom you
engaged to serve," answered the commandant, sternly.

In vain the English colonel pleaded that the lives of his whole band
would be sacrificed if they were not admitted within, the city. The
commandant was firm in his resolution and declined their services, and
they at length finding that they pleaded in vain, forming themselves
into compact order moved on till they reached the causeway leading to
the Hague. At length they were lost to sight in the distance; some few
regretted that the commandant had refused the assistance of so many
sturdy men-at-arms, but the act inspired the citizens with fresh
courage, each man now feeling that on his own bravery and resolution the
safety of the city depended.

CHAPTER FIVE.

Active and intelligent scouts had been sent out to watch the movements
of the enemy, and to bring back due notice of their approach to Leyden.
The citizens meantime were labouring as before at their fortifications;
they well knew that there was no time to spare to complete their work.
Van Arenberg, who had still managed to retain the confidence of the
burgomaster, was a constant visitor at his house during the short time
in the evening that he was at home. The baron, however, was convinced
that there was no longer a hope of persuading the stout-hearted
magistrate to submit, and yet anxious as he was to get outside and avoid
the miseries he saw impending, he could not bring himself to abandon the
prospects of winning the fair Lily. He still, therefore, endeavoured to
work on her feminine nature by pointing out to her the horrors and
sufferings in which she must share with the other inhabitants of the
place should she remain.

"You have often spoken to me on this subject, Baron Van Arenberg," she
answered, regarding him calmly; "but know that I would rather trust to
the pikes and swords of the citizens of Leyden to defend our poor women
and children from the clutches of the Spanish soldiery than I would to
the tender mercies of their general. It is useless again to speak to me
on the subject; but since you fancy that you see so clearly the dreadful
doom prepared for those who remain, I advise you to quit the city while
there is time."

The baron could say no more, but he muttered as he walked homeward that
evening, "I must take other means