After this ceremony had been concluded, there was much earnest debate in. the council.  The Prince of Orange addressed a few words to the Duchess, with the view of calming her irritation.  He observed that the confederates were no seditious rebels, but loyal gentlemen, well born, well connected, and of honorable character.  They had been influenced, he said, by an honest desire to save their country from impending danger—­not by avarice or ambition.  Egmont shrugged his shoulders, and observed that it was necessary for him to leave the court for a season, in order to make a visit to the baths of Aix, for an inflammation which he had in the leg.  It was then that Berlaymont, according to the account which has been sanctioned by nearly every contemporary writer, whether Catholic or Protestant, uttered the gibe which was destined to become immortal, and to give a popular name to the confederacy.  “What, Madam,” he is reported to have cried in a passion, “is it possible that your Highness can entertain fears of these beggars? (gueux).  Is it not obvious what manner of men they are?  They have not had wisdom enough to manage their own estates, and are they now to teach the King and your Highness how to govern the country?  By the living God, if my advice were taken, their petition should have a cudgel for a commentary, and we would make them go down the steps of the palace a great deal faster than they mounted them.”

The Count of Meghen was equally violent in his language.  Aremberg was for ordering “their reverences; the confederates,” to, quit Brussels without delay.  The conversation, carried on in so violent a key, might not unnaturally have been heard by such of the gentlemen as had not yet left the grand hall adjoining the council chamber.  The meeting of the council was then adjourned for an hour or two, to meet again in the afternoon, for the purpose of deciding deliberately upon the answer to be given to the Request.  Meanwhile, many of the confederates were swaggering about the streets, talking very bravely of the scene which had just occurred, and it is probable, boasting not a little of the effect which their demonstration would produce.  As they passed by the house of Berlaymont, that nobleman, standing at his window in company with Count Aremberg, is said to have repeated his jest.  “There go our fine beggars again,” said he.  “Look, I pray you, with what bravado they are passing before us!”

On the 6th of April, Brederode, attended by a large number of his companions, again made his appearance at the palace.  He then received the petition, which was returned to him with an apostille or commentary to this effect:—­Her Highness would despatch an envoy for the purpose of inducing his Majesty to grant the Request.  Every thing worthy of the King’s unaffected (naive) and customary benignity might be expected as to the result.  The Duchess had already, with the assistance of the state and privy councillors, Fleece knights and governors, commenced