Ryhove was a bolder ruffian--wrathful, bitter, and unscrupulous.

Imbize was at the time opposed to Orange, disliking his moderation, and trembling at his firmness.

Ryhove considered himself the friend of the Prince.

We have seen that he had consulted him previously to his memorable attack upon Aerschot, in the autumn of the preceding year, and we know the result of that conference.
The Prince, with the slight dissimulation which belonged less to his character than to his theory of politics, and which was perhaps not to be avoided, in that age of intrigue, by any man who would govern his fellow-men, whether for good or evil, had winked at a project which he would not openly approve.

He was not thoroughly acquainted, however, with the desperate character of the man, for he would have scorned an instrument so thoroughly base as Ryhove subsequently proved.