On the 8th of June, Sainte Aldegonde replied, in favourable terms, as to the interview; but observed, that, as he was an official personage, it was necessary for him to communicate the project to the magistracy of the city.  He expressed likewise the hope that Parma would embrace the present opportunity for making a general treaty with all the Provinces.  A special accord with Antwerp, leaving out Holland and Zeeland, would, he said, lead to the utter desolation of that city, and to the destruction of its commerce and manufactures, while the occasion now presented itself to the Prince of “winning praise and immortal glory by bringing back all the country to a voluntary and prompt obedience to his Majesty.”  He proposed, that, instead of his coming alone, there should be a number of deputies sent from Antwerp to confer with Alexander.

On the 11th June, Richardot replied by expressing, his own regrets and those of the Prince, that the interview could not have been with the burgomaster alone, but acknowledging the weight of his reasons, and acquiescing in the proposition to send a larger deputation.  Three days afterwards, Sainte Aldegonde, on private consultation with some confidential personages, changed his ground; announced his preference for a private interview, under four eyes, with Parma; and requested that a passport might be sent.  The passport was accordingly forwarded the same day, with an expression of Alexander’s gratification, and with the offer, on the part of Richardot, to come himself to Antwerp as hostage during the absence of the burgomaster in Parma’s camp at Beveren.

Sainte Aldegonde was accordingly about to start on the following day (16th of June), but meantime the affair had got wind.  A secret interview, thus projected, was regarded by the citizens as extremely suspicious.  There was much bitter insinuation against the burgomaster—­many violent demonstrations.  “Aldegonde, they say, is going to see Parma,” said one of the burghers, “which gives much dissatisfaction, because, ’tis feared that he will make a treaty according to the appetite and pleasure of his Highness, having been gained over to the royal cause by money.  He says that it would be a misfortune to send a large number of burghers.  Last Sunday (16th June) there was a meeting of the broad council.  The preachers came into the assembly and so animated the citizens by demonstrations of their religion, that all rushed from the council-house, crying with loud voices that they did not desire peace but war.”

This desire was a healthy and a reasonable one; but, unfortunately, the Antwerpers had not always been so vigorous or so united in their resistance to Parma.  At present, however, they were very furious, so soon as the secret purpose of Sainte Aldegonde became generally known.  The proposed capitulation, which great mobs had been for weeks long savagely demanding at the hands of the burgomaster, was now ascribed to the burgomaster’s unblushing corruption.  He