Certain peculiarities he possessed, however, which were unquestionable.

He was always courageous, generally calm.

Placed in the midst of a nation which hated him, exposed to the furious opposition of the most powerful adversaries, having hardly a friend, except the cowardly Viglius and the pluralist Morillon, secretly betrayed by Margaret of Parma, insulted by rude grandees, and threatened by midnight assassins, he never lost his self-possession, his smooth arrogance, his fortitude.

He was constitutionally brave.

He was not passionate in his resentments.