The result was destined to prove the sagacity of the Prince, for it will be shown in the sequel, that the Saftingen plan, afterwards really carried out, was rather advantageous than detrimental to the enemy's projects.
Sainte Aldegonde, accordingly, yielded to the arguments and entreaties of his friend, and repaired without delay to Antwerp.
The advice of William the Silent--as will soon be related--was not acted upon; and, within a few weeks after it had been given, he was in his grave.

Nowhere was his loss more severely felt than in Antwerp.

It seemed, said a contemporary, that with his death had died all authority.
The Prince was the only head which the many-membered body of that very democratic city ever spontaneously obeyed.

Antwerp was a small republic--in time of peace intelligently and successfully administered--which in the season of a great foreign war, amid plagues, tumults, famine, and internal rebellion, required the firm hand and the clear brain of a single chief.

That brain and hand had been possessed by Orange alone.
Before his death he had desired that Sainte Aldegonde should accept the office of burgomaster of the city.