of whom, too, a man of dull intellect and thoroughly subservient character, to deal with the local affairs of the Netherlands in a time of intense excitement!  The instructions of the envoys had been to represent the necessity of according three great points—­abolition of the inquisition, moderation of the edicts, according to the draft prepared in Brussels, and an ample pardon for past transactions.  There was much debate upon all these propositions.  Philip said little, but he listened attentively to the long discourses in council, and he took an incredible quantity of notes.  It was the general opinion that this last demand on the part of the Netherlanders was the fourth link in the chain of treason.  The first had been the cabal by which Granvelle had been expelled; the second, the mission of Egmont, the main object of which had been to procure a modification of the state council, in order to bring that body under the control of a few haughty and rebellious nobles; the third had been the presentation of the insolent and seditious Request; and now, to crown the whole, came a proposition embodying the three points—­abolition of the inquisition, revocation of the edicts, and a pardon to criminals, for whom death was the only sufficient punishment.

With regard to these three points, it was, after much wrangling, decided to grant them under certain restrictions.  To abolish the inquisition would be to remove the only instrument by which the Church had been accustomed to regulate the consciences and the doctrines of its subjects.  It would be equivalent to a concession of religious freedom, at least to individuals within their own domiciles, than which no concession could be more pernicious.  Nevertheless, it might be advisable to permit the temporary cessation of the papal inquisition, now that the episcopal inquisition had been so much enlarged and strengthened in the Netherlands, on the condition that this branch of the institution should be maintained in energetic condition.  With regard to the Moderation, it was thought better to defer that matter till, the proposed visit of his Majesty to the provinces.  If, however, the Regent should think it absolutely necessary to make a change, she must cause a new draft to be made, as that which had been sent was not found admissible.  Touching the pardon general, it would be necessary to make many conditions and restrictions before it could be granted.  Provided these were sufficiently minute to exclude all persons whom it might be found desirable to chastise, the amnesty was possible.  Otherwise it was quite out of the question.

Meantime, Margaret of Parma had been urging her brother to come to a decision, painting the distracted condition of the country in the liveliest colors, and insisting, although perfectly aware of Philip’s private sentiments, upon a favorable decision as to the three points demanded by the envoys.  Especially she urged her incapacity to resist any rebellion, and demanded succor of men and money in case the “Moderation” were not accepted by his Majesty.