His presence at that moment in Brussels was the triumph of the people and of religious toleration.

He meant to make use of the crisis to extend and to secure popular rights, and to establish the supremacy of the states-general under the nominal sovereignty of some Prince, who was yet to be selected, while the executive body was to be a state-council, appointed by the states-general.

So far as appears, he had not decided as to the future protector, but he had resolved that it should be neither himself nor Philip of Spain.

The outlaw came to Brussels prepared at last to trample out a sovereignty which had worked its own forfeiture.

So far as he had made any election within his breast, his choice inclined to the miserable Duke of Anjou; a prince whom he never came to know as posterity has known him, but whom he at least learned to despise.