No destiny seemed to lie before the young prince but an education at the Emperor's court, to be followed by military adventures, embassies, viceroyalties, and a life of luxury and magnificence.

At a very early age he came, accordingly, as a page into the Emperor's family.
Charles recognized, with his customary quickness, the remarkable character of the boy.

At fifteen, William was the intimate, almost confidential friend of the Emperor, who prided himself, above all other gifts, on his power of reading and of using men.

The youth was so constant an attendant upon his imperial chief that even when interviews with the highest personages, and upon the gravest affairs, were taking place, Charles would never suffer him to be considered superfluous or intrusive.

There seemed to be no secrets which the Emperor held too high for the comprehension or discretion of his page.