been the uniform policy of the government to kill all prisoners, of whatever rank.  Accordingly, some had been drowned, some had been hanged—­some beheaded some poisoned in their dungeons—­all had been murdered.  This had been Alva’s course.  The Grand Commander also highly approved of the system, but the capture of Count Bossu by the patriots had necessitated a suspension of such rigor.  It was certain that Bossu’s head would fall as soon as Saint Aldegonde’s, the Prince having expressly warned the government of this inevitable result.  Notwithstanding that security, however, for his eventual restoration to liberty, a Netherland rebel in a Spanish prison could hardly feel himself at ease.  There were so many foot-marks into the cave and not a single one coming forth.  Yet it was not singular, however, that the Prince should read with regret the somewhat insincere casuistry with which Saint Aldegonde sought to persuade himself and his fellow-countrymen that a reconciliation with the monarch was desirable, even upon unworthy terms.  He was somewhat shocked that so valiant and eloquent a supporter of the Reformation should coolly express his opinion that the King would probably refuse liberty of conscience to the Netherlanders, but would, no doubt, permit heretics to go into banishment.  “Perhaps, after we have gone into exile,” added Saint Aldegonde, almost with baseness, “God may give us an opportunity of doing such good service to the King, that he will lend us a more favorable ear, and, peradventure, permit our return to the country.”

Certainly, such language was not becoming the pen which wrote the famous Compromise.  The Prince himself was, however, not to be induced, even by the captivity and the remonstrances of so valued a friend, to swerve from the path of duty.  He still maintained, in public and private, that the withdrawal of foreign troops from the provinces, the restoration of the old constitutional privileges, and the entire freedom of conscience in religious matters, were the indispensable conditions of any pacification.  It was plain to him that the Spaniards were not ready to grant these conditions; but he felt confident that he should accomplish the release of Saint Aldegonde without condescending to an ignominious peace.

The most pressing matter, upon the Great Commander’s arrival, was obviously to relieve the city of Middelburg.  Mondragon, after so stanch a defence, would soon be obliged to capitulate, unless he should promptly receive supplies.  Requesens, accordingly, collected seventy-five ships at Bergen op Zoom; which were placed nominally under the command of Admiral de Glimes, but in reality under that of Julian Romero.  Another fleet of thirty vessels had been assembled at Antwerp under Sancho d’Avila.  Both, amply freighted with provisions, were destined to make their way to Middelburg by the two different passages of the Hondo and the Eastern Scheld.  On the other hand, the Prince of Orange had repaired to Flushing to superintend