The famous epistle, although a most reasonable and manly statement of an incontrovertible fact, was nevertheless a document which it required much boldness to sign.  The minister at that moment seemed omnipotent, and it was obvious that the King was determined upon a course of political and religious absolutism.  It is, therefore, not surprising that, although many sustained its principles, few were willing to affix their names to a paper which might prove a death-warrant to the signers.  Even Montigny and Berghen, although they had been active in conducting the whole cabal, if cabal it could be called, refused to subscribe the letter.  Egmont and Horn were men of reckless daring, but they were not keen-sighted enough to perceive fully the consequences of their acts.

Orange was often accused by his enemies of timidity, but no man ever doubted his profound capacity to look quite through the deeds of men.  His political foresight enabled him to measure the dangerous precipice which they were deliberately approaching, while the abyss might perhaps be shrouded to the vision of his companions.  He was too tranquil of nature to be hurried, by passions into a grave political step, which in cooler moments he might regret.  He resolutely, therefore, and with his eyes open, placed himself in open and recorded enmity with the most powerful and dangerous man in the whole Spanish realm, and incurred the resentment of a King who never forgave.  It may be safely averred that as much courage was requisite thus to confront a cold and malignant despotism, and to maintain afterwards, without flinching, during a whole lifetime, the cause of national rights and liberty of conscience, as to head the most brilliant charge of cavalry that ever made hero famous.

Philip answered the letter of the three nobles on the 6th June following.  In this reply, which was brief, he acknowledged the zeal and affection by which the writers had been actuated.  He suggested, nevertheless, that, as they had mentioned no particular cause for adopting the advice contained in their letter, it would be better that one of them should come to Madrid to confer with him.  Such matters, he said, could be better treated by word of mouth.  He might thus receive sufficient information to enable him to form a decision, for, said he in conclusion, it was not his custom to aggrieve any of his ministers without cause.

This was a fine phrase, but under the circumstances of its application, quite ridiculous.  There was no question of aggrieving the minister.  The letter of the three nobles was very simple.  It consisted of a fact and a deduction.  The fact stated was, that the Cardinal was odious to all classes of the nation.  The deduction drawn was, that the government could no longer be carried on by him without imminent danger of ruinous convulsions.  The fact was indisputable.  The person most interested confirmed it in his private letters. “’Tis said,” wrote Granvelle