I take Him to witness that in the affair of Antwerp, as in all my other actions since my earliest youth, I have most sincerely sought His glory and the welfare of His poor people, without regard to my own private interests." For it is not alone the fate of Antwerp that is here to be recorded.

The fame of Sainte Aldegonde was now seriously compromised.

The character of a great man must always be closely scanned and scrutinised; protected, if needful, against calumny, but always unflinchingly held up to the light.
Names illustrious by genius and virtue are History's most precious treasures, faithfully to be guarded by her, jealously to be watched; but it is always a misfortune when her eyes are deceived by a glitter which is not genuine.
Sainte Aldegonde was a man of unquestionable genius.

His character had ever been beyond the reproach of self-seeking or ignoble ambition.

He had multiplied himself into a thousand forms to serve the cause of the United Netherland States, and the services so rendered had been brilliant and frequent.