him, and which would prove that he had not been forgotten by his friends.  La Loo had afterward a long conversation with the Duke’s secretary Albornoz, who assured him that his master had the greatest affection for Count Horn, and that since his affairs were so much embarrassed, he might easily be provided with the post of governor at Milan, or viceroy of Naples, about to become vacant.  The secretary added, that the Duke was much hurt at receiving no visits from many distinguished nobles whose faithful friend and servant he was, and that Count Horn ought to visit Brussels, if not to treat of great affairs, at least to visit the Captain-General as a friend.  “After all this,” said honest Alonzo, “I am going immediately to Weert, to urge his lordship to yield to the Duke’s desires.”

This scientific manoeuvring, joined to the urgent representations of Egmont, at last produced its effect.  The Admiral left his retirement at Weert to fall into the pit which his enemies had been so skilfully preparing at Brussels.  On the night of the 8th September, Egmont received another most significative and mysterious warning.  A Spaniard, apparently an officer of rank, came secretly into his house, and urged him solemnly to effect his escape before the morrow.  The Countess, who related the story afterwards, always believed, without being certain, that the mysterious visitor was Julian Romero, marechal de camp.  Egmont, however, continued as blindly confident as before.

On the following day, September 9th, the grand prior, Don Ferdinando, gave a magnificent dinner, to which Egmont and Horn, together with Noircarmes, the Viscount of Ghent, and many other noblemen were invited.  The banquet was enlivened by the music of Alva’s own military band, which the Duke sent to entertain the company.  At three o’clock he sent a message begging the gentlemen, after their dinner should be concluded, to favor him with their company at his house (the maison de Jassey), as he wished to consult them concerning the plan of the citadel, which he proposed erecting at Antwerp.

At this moment, the grand prior who was seated next to Egmont, whispered in his ear; “Leave this place, Signor Count, instantly; take the fleetest horse in your stable and make your escape without a moment’s delay.”  Egmont, much troubled, and remembering the manifold prophecies and admonitions which he had passed by unheeded, rose from the table and went into the next room.  He was followed by Noircarmes and two other gentlemen, who had observed his agitation, and were curious as to its cause.  The Count repeated to them the mysterious words just whispered to him by the grand prior, adding that he was determined to take the advice without a moment’s delay.  “Ha!  Count,” exclaimed Noircarmes, “do not put lightly such implicit confidence in this stranger who is counselling you to your destruction.  What will the Duke of Alva and all the Spaniards say of such a precipitate flight?  Will they not say that your Excellency has fled from the consciousness of guilt?  Will not your escape be construed into a confession of high treason.”