Leicester himself was excessively anxious on the subject, deeply fearing the designs of a man whom he deemed so mischievous, and being earnestly desirous that he should not elude the chastisement which he seemed to deserve.

“Touching Ste. Aldegonde,” he wrote to Davison, “I grieve that he is at his house without good guard.  I do earnestly pray you to move such as have power presently to commit a guard about him, for I know he is a dangerous and a bold man, and presumes yet to carry all, for he hath made many promises to the Prince of Parma.  I would he were in Fort Rammekyns, or else that Mr. Russell had charge of him, with a recommendation from me to Russell to look well to him till I shall arrive.  You must have been so commanded in this from her Majesty, for she thinks he is in close and safe guard.  If he is not, look for a turn of all things, for he hath friends, I know.”

But very soon after his arrival, the Earl, on examining into the matter, saw fit to change his opinions and his language.  Persuaded, in spite of his previous convictions, even as the honest Welsh colonel had been, of the upright character of the man, and feeling sure that a change had come over the feelings of Marnix himself in regard to the English alliance, Leicester at once interested himself in removing the prejudices entertained towards him by the Queen.

“Now a few words for Ste. Aldegonde,” said he in his earliest despatches from Holland; “I will beseech her Majesty to stay her judgment till I write next.  If the man be as he now seemeth, it were pity to lose him, for he is indeed marvellously friended.  Her Majesty will think, I know, that I am easily pacified or led in such a matter, but I trust so to deal as she shall give me thanks.  Once if he do offer service it is sure enough, for he is esteemed that way above all the men in this country for his word, if he give it.  His worst enemies here procure me to win him, for sure, just matter for his life there is none.  He would fain come into England, so far is he come already, and doth extol her Majesty for this work of hers to heaven, and confesseth, till now an angel could not make him believe it.”

Here certainly was a noble tribute paid unconsciously, as it were, to the character of the maligned statesman.  “Above all the men in the country for his word, if he give it.”  What wonder that Orange had leaned upon him, that Alexander had sought to gain him, and how much does it add to our bitter regret that his prejudices against England should not have been removed until too late for Antwerp and for his own usefulness.  Had his good angel really been present to make him believe in that “work of her Majesty,” when his ear was open to the seductions of Parma, the destiny of Belgium and his own subsequent career might have been more fortunate than they became.

The Queen was slow to return from her prejudices.  She believed—­not without reason—­that the opposition of Ste. Aldegonde to her policy had been disastrous to the cause both of England and the Netherlands; and it had been her desire that he should be imprisoned, and tried for his life.  Her councillors came gradually to take a more favourable view of the case, and to be moved by the pathetic attitude of the man who had once been so conspicuous.