True to the Prince : a tale of the sixteenth century, 1567-1575

Chapter I

Daybreak at last, after a night of feverish anxiety, — anxiety to be relieved by horror. Though the stars had scarce commenced to fade, and the pale crescent moon scarce had lost its midnight brilliancy, the roofs and ramparts of the city of Antwerp were thronged with human beings. And why? Why at that early hour were the inhabitants of the richest city in the world abroad ? What was there to attract them on that chill March morning ? This — a bloody tragedy was being enacted almost beneath their walls, for the not far distant city of Ostrawall was that morning the scene of a terrible battle, waged between the inhabitants and their formidable foe, the Spaniards, under the Seigneur de Beauvoir. A fierce, unequal contest, to be succeeded by a horrible butchery. Intense was the 1 B : 2 excitement within the walls of Antwerp, as the forty thousand rigid Calvinists watched the drama.

Yes ; Calvinists, Catholics, and Lutherans, all with equal and intense interest. By ten o'clock it was over, and the population of one town destroyed utterly, not even women and children being spared. Fiercer and fiercer became the excitement; the Calvinists, enraged almost to madness, descended in streams from the ramparts, roofs, and towers of the city, and thronged the streets. Women, yes ! and children added their cries to the fierce shouts of fathers, husbands, and sons, as they rushed on and on in one vast surging mass to the Red Gate, vowing vengeance upon all Catholics, innocent and guilty alike. But one there was who remained still on the ramparts, with eyes eagerly fixed upon the city of Ostrawall. He was a man in the prime of life, tall and somewhat corpulent, having good features, and a fresh, healthy complexion.

His blue eyes wore a pleasing expression ; while the fair hair and peaked beard, both slightly streaked with grey, betokened him a Dutchman by birth. Since dawn he had stood there, only removing his eyes from the distant town in order to make notes in cypher upon what he saw and heard. He con tinued to stand and watch until howls and shouts from the interior of his own city aroused him, when, carefully sealing the despatches, he placed them in his doublet, and descended from the ramparts. As he walked hurriedly towards the Mere, or splendid oblong market-place in the heart of the city, the hootings seemed nearer. He accordingly mounted the steps of one of the municipal build ings, in order to command a better view, for the crush was so great that his progress was consider ably impeded. The Mere presented to his gaze a scene of extraordinary confusion.

Excited and enraged Calvinists were pouring from the cross streets into the square, and from thence, on again in the direction of the city gates, shouting and waving hats and handkerchiefs as they went. Suddenly a horseman appeared, riding alone and unarmed, his black hat and white waving plumes standing out conspicuously from amidst the throng. Our friend, who rejoiced in the name Junius van Hoodrop, Count Baardhoven, descended from his point of vantage and followed the horseman, being borne on by the surging mass of excited Calvinists. Upon drawing near the Red Gate the rider was greeted with howls of execration, in which Baard hoven took no part. He would fain have obtained a position somewhat nearer the horseman, if it were only that he might protect him ; for more than once he saw an arquebus raised against him, but : 4 fortunately each time it missed its mark.

While contemplating this scene sadly, Baardhoven was rudely seized by the arm, and some ruffian inquired sharply why he did not join in the denunciations against the rider. " Because," replied Baardhoven quietly, " I have more faith in him than in any other man within the city." The reply vouchsafed to this was a blow from an arquebus, which levelled the speaker to the ground. He was stunned for the moment, but recovering himself, he scrambled to his feet, and by sheer strength of will — for the safety of the despatches was imperilled if he were unable to reach his home — he forced his way back through the crowd. His reply to the ruffian's inquiry had been a bold one, for if his unknown questioner were a Catholic Royalist, he could easily obtain the execution of Baardhoven by reporting the reply to the Regent.

If, on the other hand, he were a Calvinist, and knew Baardhoven to be a Catholic, then his action was already explained, for fierce and intense was the bigotry of the sectaries at that time. Our friend obtained at last an open space, and leant against a wall for support. Blood was slowly oozing from a wound in his head, and he felt sick and dizzy ; but again determination came to his aid, and he staggered on. Upon reaching the Mere, he entered a large, handsome mansion, one of the most imposing-looking residences in the street. Opening a door on the left of a spacious entrance hall, he reeled into a room, and fell senseless upon the threshold, exhausted by weakness and loss of blood. Sitting in au embrasure at the farther end of the apartment, engaged upon some embroidery, was a young girl, who started to her feet with alarm upon the mysterious entrance of the Seigneur.

She appeared to be about seventeen years of age, and her features were remarkably refined and beautiful. The lustrous blue eyes and silky golden curls that strayed from beneath the close and becoming coif, combined with her pretty, fresh complexion, pro claimed her the Count's daughter. She rushed forward, after touching a little bell that stood on a table hard by, and kneeling down beside the prostrate form of her father, raised his head and placed it gently in her lap, proceeding to staunch the blood to the best of her ability. In response to her summons there appeared a page, whom she bade hasten to bring restoratives, and also to demand the immediate presence of the Countess Baardhoven. Accordingly, after the lapse of a few minutes, a lady entered, and seeing the senseless form of the Count, inquired, with a little shriek of astonishment, what had occurred.

Her face, though at that moment wearing an expression of fear, mingled with anxiety, was very beautiful ; but the touch of youth had long since vanished, as the somewhat deep lines about the mouth betokened. " My child ! " she exclaimed, as she traversed the dark oak floor, "he is not dead, surely ! — he is not dead ! " " Nay, mother, have no fear. I think he is but stunned," replied the girl sweetly, thus endeavour ing to allay her mother's terror. " The streets are dangerous, and probably some ruffian has ad ministered a blow. Methought but now I heard shouts of anger proceed from the direction of the Red Gate." " Hah ! " ejaculated the Countess suddenly, " he moves — he is recovering ! " and she stooped lower over her husband, who opened his eyes and smiled faintly. Upon growing stronger he rose to his feet, and was assisted by male attendants to a couch.

The action had so exhausted him that many minutes elapsed ere he spoke again ; but to the relief of his wife and daughter he at length roused himself, and said feebly, — " The despatches, are they safe ? Feel, little one, within my doublet." His daughter obeyed, and held up to his view the precious packet. " What is to be doue with them ? " she asked. " Give them to your mother, maiden," he re plied. " I must bear them this e'en to their destination." " Nay, husband ; that is impossible in your present condition," exclaimed the Countess. " You must entrust them to another." " I know of none to trust, wife," he replied ; " and there is that within them that might prove death-warrants to not a few, an they should fall into the hands of enemies." " Father ! trust them to me," said a fresh young voice.

" I promise they shall reach their destina tion. Nay ! question not ; but trust me. The Hfe of the bearer shall answer for their safety." With this, the young girl quitted the chamber, leaving the Count and Countess astonished beyond measure at her inexplicable conduct.

Chapter II

As hour after hour passed away, the Count Baard hoven, tossing restlessly on his couch, grew very uneasy as to what proceedings his daughter in tended to take. Since she had quitted the apartment that morning the excitement of the Calvinists had increased, and the safety of Catholics and of churches was threatened. The rider, in whose cause the Count had been struck down, had at last prevailed upon them to give up the idea of going to avenge the death of the inhabitants of Ostrawall. They had yielded to his calm, fervent, and per suasive oratory, and had marched back once more to the heart of the city. But in spite of this the tumult had increased; the gaol had been stormed, and prisoners liberated. The arsenal also had been broken into, and many weapons taken therefrom. Fearful mischief was afloat, and the lives of Catholics within the city much endangered.

Fifteen thousand furious fanatics had all assembled in the Mere, aud had there barricaded the square with every conceivable article that they could obtain. The angry mob were all within the square, upon which faced the establishment of Baardhoven, and the many cries, shouts, and threats were dis tinctly heard by the terrified female inmates. One there was, however, who preserved ber pre sence of mind, and that was Catherine, the much loved daughter of the Count and Countess. She bade her parents good-night somewhat earlier than was her custom, at the same time bidding them be easy about the despatches, as she would see they were safely delivered. Upon reaching her own chamber she bolted the door, and commenced to divest herself of her maidenly garments, adjusting in their place the costume of a page.

Her luxu riant wavy tresses, which fell far below her waist, enveloping her slender form in a cloud of gold, she coiled hurriedly upon the crown of her head, and concealed them by a jaunty velvet cap; then throwing round her shoulders a cloak of the same material and colour, she placed the budget of despatches within her doublet. This done, she armed herself with a loaded pistol, and cautiously opening a secret door, proceeded to traverse a long passage which opened upon the Mere. Once there, she had not in reality far to go ; but the difficulty and the danger lay in the attempt to cross the : 10 square. By some means, however, she must do this, and she commenced the perilous task by creeping cautiously along in the shadow of the buildings, hoping thus to gain some point where she would be enabled to cross unperceived.

We will leave her to perform the task alone, and relate that which was taking place within the city hall. Seated in an ante-room of the council chamber, busily engaged in writing, was the man who had that morning faced an armed mob alone, and who had unaided, at the imminent risk of his life, prevailed upon them, with the exception of about five hundred, to return, and not sally forth to meet the Spaniards. This man was William the Silent, Prince of Orange ; the grandest, noblest, and most self-sacrificing character of his time, we might al most say, in history. The man who was to become the •'Champion of the Reformation," the "Father" of the Netherlands ; and who was, alas ! to be foully assassinated by one of his inveterate enemies, the Spaniards, at the instigation of their king. But there was much to be passed through, much to be suffered, ere that event occurred, ere he was to be released from his onerous and self-imposed duties by death.

The handsome though slender figure was not exhibited to the best advantage just then, owing to the stooping position ; and his small, well-poised head, with its dark, wavy hair, was resting upon his left hand ; his features were in shadow. Long he had sat there, only moving from his place when obliged to attend some conference in the adjoining council chamber. Eleven o'clock ! The Prince paused, and raised his head, disclosing handsome features, in spite of the lines of care ; a lofty forehead " prematurely lined by anxious thought," and fine brown eyes that possessed rare power of expression. It was a remarkably attractive and intellectual countenance, and bespoke kindness and firmness, mingled with dignity and gentleness. Eleven o'clock ! He touched a bell that stood beside him, in reply to which summons there appeared a fine athletic young Dutchman.

" Any change in the aspect of affairs outside, Hugo ? " inquired Orange anxiously. " Nay, your Highness ! the threats against the Catholics, ay, and Lutherans, are as fierce as ever." Orange sighed. " Has the messenger been despatched to Count Baardhoven, bidding him join the guard before the city hall ? " he asked after a pause. " Yea, the envoy has started, but I fear me 'twill : 12 be long ere he returns, though 'tis but across the Mere. Was not the Seigneur Baardhoven expected ere this?" " Y'ea ! 'tis strange his non-appearance, for he holds despatches that I should have had ere now." And the Prince pushed back his chair and passed his hand across his eyes. The younger man stepped forward. " Seigneur ! " he said anxiously, " pardon me. Is it not possible for you to desist from writing ?

You will be worn out with fatigue." Orange removed his hand from his eyes and smiled. " God bless you, lad," he said kindly. " If there were more in this unfortunate country that loved me as you love me, my task would be less difficult. But I am content ; I can see that God has decreed that my path, both domestically and publicly, shall not be strewn with roses; and I will bow to His will, and devote myself to my country for the cause of liberty." The latter portion of this sentence Orange had spoken more to himself than to his companion, and for some moments there was silence, broken at last by the young Dutchman. " It is most unfortunate that our cause has been deprived of the aid of Count Egmont," he remarked; "ay, and passing strange also, for he seemed so devoted to your Highness." " Hah ! poor Egmont !

" exclaimed the Prince sadly; "he is still devoted to my person, but not, alas ! to my cause. Mark me, Hugo, his loyalty to Philip will cost him dear; the Spaniards will use him as their stepping-stone,* and then, I fear, de stroy him. I love him, and would save him," he added after a pause, " and I shall warn him again. 'Tis strange that he should trust the Spanish mon arch, whose perfidy I have had so plainly mani fested." " His Majesty treated him sumptuously while he was in Madrid, Seigneur; perchance that influenced him." " Perchance ! it assuredly influenced him," responded Orange, glancing searchingly at the young Dutchman, as if endeavouring to read his inmost thoughts. Apparently satisfied with what he saw in the honest, fiery, blue eyes, he continued : " You marvel at my knowledge of his Majesty's perfidy ?

" " I do. Seigneur," responded the other. Orange rose, and crossing the apartment, pro ceeded to unlock a drawer, from which he took some letters. Turning to Hugo, he said quietly, — * Words to this effect were actually spoken hy Orange at Willebrock. : " I trust you, lad." The young Count Kolhasen — for such was his title — seized the hand of the Prince, and raised it to his lips. "Seigneur! I'll die sooner than allow a word that could injure you to pass my lips." " I believe it, lad," replied the Prince, placing his hand kindly upon the Count's shoulder. " Read that, and tell me what you think of it ; " and he handed him a letter. Hugo did as he was bidden, and glanced at Orange for explanation. " You would ask how I came by it, and what it is?" said the Prince, replying to the unspoken question.

"The former I cannot as yet tell you; suffice it to say it is one of his Majesty's private letters, not one of which but what I know the con tents of. Dost see ? My death-warrant, combined with those of Counts Egmont and Horn, and other seigneurs, is signed. Nevertheless, the Regent Margaret is instructed to treat us courteously and consult with us. Do you now wonder that I would save my friend ? " " Nay, indeed ! But are not the Counts aware of this ? " "Yea. I placed that aud other letters of a like nature before them at Dendermonde. But you see by subsequent events how my well-meant warnings were received. Hugo, I much fear we are about to witness the greatest tragedy ever beheld.* God give us strength to resist tyranny as Christians and men. I may be compelled to leave the provinces and reside in Germany, an so be it I can best aid these unfortunate Netherlanders.

Hark ! some one demands admittance. Go, see who it be, for may hap 'tis Baardhoven." The young Count disappeared, returning almost directly to announce that a page in the Baardhoven livery awaited admittance, and declined to deliver the despatches he had brought into any other hands than those of the Prince of Orange. Accord ingly the supposed page was admitted into the ante-chamber, when kneeling on one knee before the Prince, he placed in his hands the precious de spatches. The latter naturally demanded if there were no message from the Count Baardhoven, and if no envoy had reached his residence. " None had arrived before I left, your Highness," replied the page. " How is it that the Seigneur entrusted this budget to you, and did not deliver them himself, as he had promised ? " " Because he was felled to the ground this morn- * These words were spoken at the council by Orange previous to this. : ing in your Highness' cause," again responded the page.

"Indeed ! and how was that ? " inquired Orange anxiously. " He would not join in the execrations against you, Seigneur," replied the other. " He managed to stagger home, but was too weak to come hither to-night. I came in his stead." A deep flush suffused the speaker's face, and she slightly bent her head in the vain endeavour to conceal it. Orange and Hugo both had noticed it, and a faint smile plaj^ed about the lips of the for mer. He checked it instantly, however, and re marked kindly, — " The streets are dangerous ; methinks 'twas scarce safe to permit so delicate a boy to venture out alone." " The budget, Seigneur. My — I mean the Count Baardhoven had given his word you should receive it by nightfall." " How did you manage to traverse the Mere, my boy ? " inquired Orange, who was growing inte rested in the fortunes of the young page.

"'Twas with difficulty. I crept along in the shadow of the houses and crossed at the narrowest portion of the square. But the Calvinists were watchful, and I was perceived by one, who endeavoured to stop me. I feared to fire, knowing that I might rouse the whole community ; but I struck him down with the butt end of this ; " and the pistol was raised and exhibited to the Prince. " Was he killed ? " he asked. " Nay, Seigneur, I think not ; but I could not, dared not pause to see. I regained the shadow of the houses, and am here." As she spoke Catherine caught the eye of Hugo, and to her alarm she perceived that he was making violent signs to her to remove her cap. Up to this time she had entirely forgotten that in her disguise of page she would be expected to uncover in the presence of a superior.

In the excitement and hurry of her stealthy departure from home, she had overlooked this. Now her confusion was obvious. The Prince, she knew, must have noticed the omis sion, and she considered it strange that he had not alluded to it. Meanwhile, what could she do ? Not to remove it would excite the suspicions of the Count Kolhasen ; to do so would be instant be trayal of her sex. She must, then, brave it out; so far, the negligence had not been remarked upon, and she would therefore retain the cap. But the blush that suffused her cheeks as she saw the signs made by Kolhasen had not passed unnoticed, and the Prince turned hastily towards him to ascertain c : the cause. Upon seeing the action of the young Count, he smiled. Rebuke him he could not, for it was right that a page should uncover in the presence of superiors; on the other hand, if he allowed the supposed page to retain the cap, Hugo would deem it strange.

As the reader may have guessed, William of Orange had already pierced with his eagle eye the disguise of the young maiden, and recognised in the would-be page the lovely daughter of Count Baardhoven. He had not seen the Count so often that he could not see the resemblance between him and his daughter. Had it not been for this likeness, it is probable she would have passed unrecognised, for he had seen her only once before, and then for only a few minutes. Placed in this somewhat peculiar position, Orange had but one way open, of which he immediately availed himself. Rising from his chair, he laid his hand gently on the page's shoulder. " Be at ease, dear child," he said kindly. " You are in the presence of those who will preserve secrecy, and who admire your courage. I recognised you shortly after your entrance, and the non-removal of your cap confirmed my conjectures.

You have per formed a noble and courageous action in traversing the Mere to-night, while the incident of the cap was most naturally overlooked by you. Nay ! be not ashamed or downcast that this young man should have witnessed your disguise; he is thoroughly trustworthy, devoted to me, and well able to appre ciate courage and patriotism in your sex. Hugo ! our page is none other than the Seigneur Baard hoven's daughter." Kolhasen, thus addressed, saluted Catherine with a graceful and profound bow, but did not speak. Accordingly, the Prince continued : — "Does the Seigneur know of Mistress Hoodrop's fidelity in delivering these documents herself ? " " Nay, your Highness ! " she replied ; " but I bade him be at ease, promising that the life of the bearer should answer for their safety. He knows not that I am the bearer; but I could trust none other."

" You have run great risk, maiden ; and I thank you," remarked Orange ; " you shall be conducted back. Kolhasen, adjust your armour ; and remem ber ! a woman's life is in your keeping. 'Twould be safer, methinks, to choose a longer and more cir cuitous route, in lieu of again traversing the square ; for the moon will rise ere long, and the attempt will be dangerous. 'Tis e'en now chiming mid night." The Count disappeared, and Orange walked to the window. " Dost hear the shouts ? " : 20 he inquired of Catherine, as the words, " Down with the Papists ! " were heard from beneath. " Yea, Seigneur. Is not much to be f eai*ed from these furious fanatics ? " " There is, an my efforts should prove unavailing ; but I shall work with others night and day to draw up articles, and God, I trust, will bless our efforts. 'Tis union and toleration that is needed.

By to morrow, or the day after at the latest, I hope to have quelled this insurrection. Here comes Kol hasen, so I wish you good-night, and a safe journey. God protect you both." And the Prince bowed graciously as Catherine quitted the chamber with her protector. Orange returned to his seat, and was joined shortly after by his colleague Hoog-stratten, while the courageous girl and her companion pursued their way through the streets of the city, the lace like spire of the cathedral towering in its majesty far above them. As they listened to the musical chimes, contrasting so strangely with the fierce shouts of the fanatics, the thoughts of both recurred to the time, only a few weeks since, when it had been perfect in its beauty ; now the interior was dese crated, the beautiful imagery destroyed, and what had once been so exquisite was a wreck.

But though the reformers had thus given expression to their rage and disgraced their cause, the wealthy, populous city of Antwerp was to witness a far worse desecration — desecration of its homes and hearths by the mutinous Spanish soldiery, when mothers, daughters, fathers, and sons were to be butchered in cold blood. Yes ! ten years later a shocking carnage was to be enacted, worse even than the fearful Bartholomew massacre. Little did they dream of that, those two courageous hearts, as they passed beneath the lovely cathe dral on their way through the streets of the city.

Chapter III

The insurrection was quelled, and the noble patriot who had accomplished the task was working now in Germany. Five months had passed away since the night of Catherine van Hoodrop's midnight excursion through the streets of Antwerp ; and the period of the Duchess Margaret's regency in the unhappy Netherlands was fast drawing to its close. But what was to follow ? Six years of disaster and bloodshed, of inhuman butchery, such as had never before been witnessed, under the man who was con sidered the first warrior of his age. It was on the morning of the 9th of September, 1567, that Catherine van Hoodrop might be seen sitting in a spacious chamber of a mansion situated in the Great Square of Brussels, from the windows of which she looked upon the majestic Hotel de Ville, and the facade of the famous Broodhuis, also upon the handsome though somewhat fantastic palaces of the Archers, Mariners, and guilds.

She had been watching a display of lances by some young knights; but the gentlemen having quitted the square, she returned to her embroidery, and continued to work in silence, addressing but few words to her attendant, who was occupied in the same manner as herself. She proceeded but slowly with her task, and her thoughts appeared to be pre-occupied. Perhaps she was thinking of the young Count Kolhasen ; for they had met many times since the Calvinist insurrection. He had often visited her father's house, and had without doubt influenced her — unconsciously, perhaps ; but the fact remained the same. Thrown much with the Prince of Orange, his character was being gradually moulded by the patriot's noble influence, and he had imbibed the same principles. Catherine, like her parents, was a Catholic ; but was among those who staunchly upheld the doctrine of toleration, and greatly admired and loved the noble William of Nassau.

She had even gone further. Unconsciously at first, she had leaned towards the reforming party ; and doubtless the influence of Hugo, who much admired her, did something to strengthen her opinions. The young Count's ad miration of the gentle, courageous girl had gradu ally developed into a rather warmer and deeper feeling during the five months of their acquaintance, and within the last week or so they had been much : 24 together. Baardhoven had been despatched upon some private mission to Brussels, and at the same time Orange had also sent Kolhasen to intercept certain letters in the same neighbourhood. Baardhoven, exhibiting the customary hospitality of the period, had invited his young friend to share his house and board, and Kolhasen had gratefully accepted the offer. Up to this time he had intercepted but few letters; but upon the afternoon in question he had hoped to obtain the most important.

He had, therefore, gone beyond the city in quest of the bearer of the documents ; the Count Baardhoven was engaged at the palace of the Regent, while the Countess, being slightly indisposed, had resorted to her couch for a time. Thus Catherine and her attendant sat alone. The former had not proceeded far with her embroidery, after moving from, the window, ere the heavy tapestry at the farther end of the apartment was raised, and the Count Kolhasen appeared. He was sumptuously attired, wearing a richly embroidered tabard, over which hung a crimson velvet cloak, worked with gold, while in his hand he held a silk hat, adorned with white waving plumes. Catherine looked up from her frame, while her attendant retired to the background. " I pray you pardon my intrusion, fair mistress," he said, bowing as he approached her.

" I knew not that you were alone, or my presumption would not have led me so far." " Nay ; but your Excellency's excuses are un warranted," replied Catherine, blushing slightly. " We will bid you retire, when we have been satisfied with information. I trust your mission has been crowned with success ? " " I am pleased to say that it has," he answered. " I have the intercepted letters here ; " and he placed his hand upon his breast. " Was your task dangerous ? " she inquired, raising her eyes to his, with a somewhat anxious expression in their depths. " Nay ! having demanded them or the life of their bearer, the coward foreigner resigned his charge and fled. I cared not to pursue him, having obtained what I required." " His Highness will be glad," remarked Catherine, alluding to the Prince of Orange.