for whom Philip, at Parma’s suggestion, had sent the commission as governor of Artois and of Hesdin, was obliged to renounce those offices, notwithstanding his earlier “reconciliation,” and the “blood and water” of John Sarrasin.  Ghent was not even contented with these guerdons, but insisted upon the command of all the cavalry, including the band of ordnance which, with handsome salary, had been assigned to Lalain as a part of the wages for his treason, while the “little Count”—­fiery as his small and belligerent cousin whose exploits have been recorded in the earlier pages of this history—­boldly taxed Parma and the King with cheating him out of his promised reward, in order to please a noble whose services had been less valuable than those of the Lalain family.  Having thus obtained the lion’s share, due, as he thought, to his well known courage and military talents, as well as to the powerful family influence, which he wielded—­his brother, the Prince of Espinoy, hereditary seneschal of Hainault, having likewise rallied to the King’s party—­Ghent jocosely intimated to Parma his intention of helping himself to the two best horses in the Prince’s stables in exchange for those lost at Gemblours, in which disastrous action he had commanded the cavalry for the states.  He also sent two terriers to Farnese, hoping that they would “prove more useful than beautiful.”  The Prince might have thought, perhaps, as much of the Viscount’s treason.

John Sarrasin, the all-accomplished Prior, as the reward of his exertions, received from Philip the abbey of Saint Vaast, the richest and most powerful ecclesiastical establishment in the Netherlands.  At a subsequent period his grateful Sovereign created him Archbishop of Cambray.

Thus the “troubles of Arras”—­as they were called—­terminated.  Gosson the respected, wealthy, eloquent, and virtuous advocate; together with his colleagues—­all Catholics, but at the same time patriots and liberals—­died the death of felons for their unfortunate attempt to save their fatherland from an ecclesiastical and venal conspiracy; while the actors in the plot, having all performed well their parts, received their full meed of prizes and applause.

The private treaty by which the Walloon provinces of Artois, Hainault, Lille, Douay, and Orchies, united themselves in a separate league was signed upon the 6th of January, 1579; but the final arrangements for the reconciliation of the Malcontent nobles and their soldiers were not completed until April 6th, upon which day a secret paper was signed at Mount Saint Eloi.

The secret current of the intrigue had not, however, flowed on with perfect smoothness until this placid termination.  On the contrary, here had been much bickering, heart-burning, and mutual suspicions and recriminations.  There had been violent wranglings among the claimants of the royal rewards.  Lalain and Capres were not the only Malcontents who had cause to complain of being cheated of the promised largess.