departure from the city.  He reminded her, according to the indispensable practice of all wise counsellors, that he had been constantly predicting this result.  He, however, failed in administering much consolation, or in suggesting any remedy.  He was, in truth, in as great a panic as herself, and it was, according to the statement of the Duchess, mainly in order to save the President from threatened danger, that she eventually resolved to make concessions.  “Viglius,” wrote Margaret to Philip, “is so much afraid of being cut to pieces, that his timidity has become incredible.”  Upon the warm assurance of Count Horn, that he would enable her to escape from the city, should it become necessary, or would perish in the attempt, a promise in which he was seconded by the rest of the seigniors, she consented to remain for the day in her palace.—­Mansfeld was appointed captain-general of the city; Egmont, Horn, Orange, and the others agreed to serve under his orders, and all went down together to the townhouse.  The magistrates were summoned, a general meeting of the citizens was convened, and the announcement made of Mansfeld’s appointment, together with an earnest appeal to all honest men to support the Government.  The appeal was answered by a shout of unanimous approbation, an enthusiastic promise to live or die with the Regent, and the expression of a resolution to permit neither reformed preaching nor image-breaking within the city.

Nevertheless, at seven o’clock in the evening, the Duchess again sent for the seigniors.  She informed them that she had received fresh and certain information, that the churches were to be sacked that very night; that Viglius, Berlaymont, and Aremberg were to be killed, and that herself and Egmont were to be taken prisoners.  She repeated many times that she had been ill-advised, expressed bitter regret at having deferred her flight from the city, and called upon those who had obstructed her plan, now to fulfil their promises.  Turning fiercely upon Count Horn, she uttered a volley of reproaches upon his share in the transaction.  “You are the cause,” said she, “that I am now in this position.  Why do you not redeem your pledge and enable me to leave the place at once.”  Horn replied that he was ready to do so if she were resolved to stay no longer.  He would at the instant cut his way through the guard at the Caudenberg gate, and bring her out in safety, or die in the effort.  At the same time he assured her that he gave no faith to the idle reports flying about the city, reminded her that nobles, magistrates, and citizens were united in her defence, and in brief used the, same arguments which had before been used to pacify her alarm.  The nobles were again successful in enforcing their counsels, the Duchess was spared the ignominy and the disaster of a retreat before an insurrection which was only directed against statues, and the ecclesiastical treasures of Brussels were saved from sacrilege.