For the furtherance of the scheme in the Netherlands, it was understood that the Spanish regiments would be exceedingly efficient.

The Prince, although horror-struck and indignant at the royal revelations, held his peace, and kept his countenance.

The King was not aware that, in opening this delicate negotiation to Alva's colleague and Philip's plenipotentiary, he had given a warning of inestimable value to the man who had been born to resist the machinations of Philip and of Alva.

William of Orange earned the surname of "the Silent," from the manner in which he received these communications of Henry without revealing to the monarch, by word or look, the enormous blunder which he had committed.

His purpose was fixed from that hour.