The Ferryman of Brill, and Other Stories

'The Ferryman of Brill, and Other Stories' is a novel written by William Henry Giles Kingston. The story takes place in the town of Brill in the province of Flanders, which is ruled by the harsh Duke of Alva who resides in Brussels. The Duke is trying to convert the population to the Church of Rome, with little success. The protagonist, Diedrich Meghem, is a young merchant and a Protestant who falls in love with Gretchen Hopper, the daughter of a wealthy merchant. Duke Alva becomes aware of Hopper's wealth and plans to take it for himself. Hopper is a known follower of the reformed principles and can easily be accused of heresy.