Councillor Del Rio was, however, retained in confinement, and sent to Holland, where he was subjected to a severe examination by the Prince of Orange, touching his past career, particularly concerning the doings of the famous Blood Council.  The others were set free, and even permitted to resume their functions, but their dignity was gone, their authority annihilated.  Thenceforth the states of Brabant and the community of Brussels were to govern for an interval, for it was in their name that the daring blow against the Council had been struck.  All individuals and bodies, however, although not displeased with the result, clamorously disclaimed responsibility for the deed.  Men were appalled at the audacity of the transaction, and dreaded the vengeance of the King:  The Abbot Van Perch, one of the secret instigators of the act, actually died of anxiety for its possible consequences.  There was a mystery concerning the affair.  They in whose name it had been accomplished, denied having given any authority to the perpetrators.  Men asked each other what unseen agency had been at work, what secret spring had been adroitly touched.  There is but little doubt, however, that the veiled but skilful hand which directed the blow, was the same which had so long been guiding the destiny of the Netherlands.

It had been settled that the congress was to hold its sessions in Ghent, although the citadel commanding that city was held by the Spaniards.  The garrison was not very strong, and Mondragon, its commander, was absent in Zealand, but the wife of the veteran ably supplied his place, and stimulated the slender body of troops to hold out with heroism, under the orders of his lieutenant, Avilos Maldonado.  The mutineers, after having accomplished their victory at Tisnacq, had been earnestly solicited to come to the relief of this citadel.  They had refused and returned to Alost.  Meantime, the siege was warmly pressed by the states.  There being, however, a deficiency of troops, application for assistance was formally made to the Prince of Orange.  Count Reulx, governor of Flanders; commissioned the Seigneur d’Haussy, brother of Count Bossu, who, to obtain the liberation of that long-imprisoned and distinguished nobleman, was about visiting the Prince in Zealand, to make a request for an auxiliary force.  It was, however, stipulated that care should be taken lest any prejudice should be done to the Roman Catholic religion or the authority of the King.  The Prince readily acceded to the request, and agreed to comply with the conditions under which only it could be accepted.  He promised to send twenty-eight companies.  In his letter announcing this arrangement, he gave notice that his troops would receive strict orders to do no injury to person or property, Catholic or Protestant, ecclesiastic or lay, and to offer no obstruction to the Roman religion or the royal dignity.  He added, however, that it was not to be taken amiss, if his soldiers were permitted to exercise their own