A large portion, no doubt, of the schemes here suggested, was in agitation, but the actors were hardly equal to the drama which they were attempting.

The intrigue was, however, to be frustrated at once by the hand of Orange, acting as it often did from beneath a cloud.
Of all the chieftains possessing influence with the inhabitants of Ghent, two young nobles, named Ryhove and Imbize, were the most conspicuous.
Both were of ancient descent and broken fortunes, both were passionately attached to the Prince, both were inspired with an intense hatred for all that was Catholic or Spanish.

They had travelled further on the reforming path than many had done in that day, and might even be called democratic in their notions.

Their heads were filled with visions of Greece and Rome; the praise of republics was ever on their lips; and they avowed to their intimate associates that it was already feasible to compose a commonwealth like that of the Swiss Cantons out of the seventeen Netherlands.

They were regarded as dreamers by some, as desperadoes by others.