A good read but predictable ending. The whole story does hinge on Gilda not fleeing the city before it was taken over... Knowing The enemy it was strategically a bad move but there would have been no story if it were otherwise. ( )

Sir Percy Blakenley, the Laughing Cavalier of Hals' fame, was a Dutch soldier of fortune until he discovered his rich English father. Although the Spanish are still threatening the Netherlands, Percy intends to retire to England and wealth with his beautiful Dutch bride, but treachery threatens his former friends and he must remain to finish the battle with them. This is actually a dandy story. It's written in Orczy's florid and romantic style, but the characters are interesting and I enjoyed it very much. Second of The Scarlet Pimpernel's prequels. ( )