"I was present at the dinner that you ate last night, although none of it came my way, and--I was present afterwards." "Indeed.

I thought I saw you slip in, and allow me to congratulate you on that; it was very well thought out and done, just as folk were moving up and down the stairs.

Also, when I went home, I believe that I recognised a gentleman in the street whom I have been given to understand you honour with your friendship, a short, stout person with a bald head; let me see, he was called the Butcher at The Hague, was he not?
No, do not pout, I have no wish to pry into the secrets of ladies, but still in my position here it is my business to know a thing or two.
Well, what did you see ?" "Excellency, I saw the young man I was sent to watch and Hendrik Brant, the son of the rich goldsmith at The Hague, praying side by side upon their knees." "That is bad, very bad," said Montalvo shaking his head, "but----" "I saw," she went on in her hoarse voice, "the pair of them read the Bible." "How shocking!" replied Montalvo with a simulated shudder.

"Think of it, my orthodox friend, if you are to be believed, these two persons, hitherto supposed to be respectable, have been discovered in the crime of consulting that work upon which our Faith is founded.

Well, those who could read anything so dull must, indeed, as the edicts tell us, be monsters unworthy to live.