Montalvo paid his court, and in due course Montalvo was refused.

He bore the blow with a tender resignation.
"Confess, dear lady," he said, "that there is some other man more fortunate." Lysbeth did not confess, but, on the other hand, neither did she deny.
"If he makes you happy I shall be more than satisfied," the Count murmured, "but, lady, loving you as I do, I do not wish to see you married to a heretic." "What do you mean, Senor ?" asked Lysbeth, bridling.
"Alas!" he answered, "I mean that, as I fear, the worthy Heer Dirk van Goorl, a friend of mine for whom I have every respect, although he has outstripped me in your regard, has fallen into that evil net." "Such accusations should not be made," said Lysbeth sternly, "unless they can be proved.

Even then----" and she stopped.
"I will inquire further," replied the swain.

"For myself I accept the position, that is until you learn to love me, if such should be my fortune.

Meanwhile I beg of you at least to look upon me as a friend, a true friend who would lay down his life to serve you." Then, with many a sigh, Montalvo departed home to Leyden upon his beautiful black horse, but not before he had enjoyed a few minutes' earnest conversation with the worthy Tante Clara.
"Now, if only this old lady were concerned," he reflected as he rode away, "the matter might be easy enough, and the Saints know it would be one to me, but unhappily that obstinate pig of a Hollander girl has all the money in her own right.