Volmar and de Maulde fled at once, but were soon arrested in the neighbourhood.

President de Meetkerke, Professor Saravia, the preacher Van der Wauw, and others most compromised, effected their escape.

The matter was instantly laid before the States of Holland by the magistracy of Leyden, and seemed of the gravest moment.

In the beginning of the year, the fatal treason of York and Stanley had implanted a deep suspicion of Leicester in the hearts of almost all the Netherlanders, which could not be eradicated.

The painful rumours concerning the secret negotiations with Spain, and the design falsely attributed to the English Queen, of selling the chief cities of the republic to Philip as the price of peace, and of reimbursement for expenses incurred by her, increased the general excitement to fever.