Rise of the Dutch Republic, the — Complete (1555-84) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,010 pages of information about Rise of the Dutch Republic, the — Complete (1555-84).

Rise of the Dutch Republic, the — Complete (1555-84) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,010 pages of information about Rise of the Dutch Republic, the — Complete (1555-84).
For the present things are peaceable, and all the world is rejoiced at the departure of that good Cardinal.”  The Prince never committed the error of undervaluing the talents of his great adversary, and he felt the necessity of being on the alert in the present emergency. “’Tis a sly and cunning bird that we are dealing with,” said he, “one that sleeps neither day nor night if a blow is to be dealt to us.”  Honest Brederode, after solacing himself with the spectacle of his enemy’s departure, soon began to suspect his return, and to express himself on the subject, as usual, with ludicrous vehemence.  “They say the red fellow is back again,” he wrote to Count Louis, “and that Berlaymont has gone to meet him at Namur.  The Devil after the two would be a good chase.”  Nevertheless, the chances of that return became daily fainter.  Margaret of Parma hated the Cardinal with great cordiality.  She fell out of her servitude to him into far more contemptible hands, but for a brief interval she seemed to take a delight in the recovery of her freedom.  According to Viglius, the court, after Granvelle’s departure, was like a school of boys and girls when the pedagogue’s back is turned.  He was very bitter against the Duchess for her manifest joy at emancipation.  The poor President was treated with the most marked disdain by Margaret, who also took pains to show her dislike to all the cardinalists.  Secretary Armenteros forbade Bordey, who was Granvelle’s cousin and dependent, from even speaking to him in public.  The Regent soon became more intimate with Orange and Egmont than she had ever been with the Cardinal.  She was made to see—­and, seeing, she became indignant—­the cipher which she had really been during his administration.  “One can tell what’s o’clock,” wrote Morillon to the fallen minister, “since she never writes to you nor mentions your name.”  As to Armenteros, with whom Granvelle was still on friendly relations, he was restless in his endeavors to keep the once-powerful priest from rising again.  Having already wormed himself into the confidence of the Regent, he made a point of showing to the principal seigniors various letters, in which she had been warned by the Cardinal to put no trust in them.  “That devil,” said Armenteros, “thought he had got into Paradise here; but he is gone, and we shall take care that he never returns.”  It was soon thought highly probable that the King was but temporizing, and that the voluntary departure of the minister had been a deception.  Of course nothing was accurately known upon the subject.  Philip had taken good care of that, but meantime the bets were very high that there would be no restoration, with but few takers.  Men thought if there had been any royal favor remaining for the great man, that the Duchess would not be so decided in her demeanor on the subject.  They saw that she was scarlet with indignation whenever the Cardinal’s name was mentioned.  They heard her thank Heaven that she had but one son, because if she had had a second
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Rise of the Dutch Republic, the — Complete (1555-84) from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.