Yet events were rushing forward with such feverish rapidity, that he might be too late for his adventure.

Many days were lost in the necessary journey from Italy into Spain to receive the final instructions of the King.

The news from the provinces, grew more and more threatening.

With the impetuosity and romance of his temperament, he selected his confidential friend Ottavio Gonzaga, six men-at-arms, and an adroit and well-experienced Swiss courier who knew every road of France.

It was no light adventure for the Catholic Governor-General of the Netherlands to traverse the kingdom at that particular juncture.