The effect of the conference between Saint Aldegonde and Ryhove was to convince the young partisan that the Prince would neither openly countenance his project, nor be extremely vexed should it prove successful.  In short, while, as in the case of the arrest of the State Council, the subordinates were left to appear the principals in the transactions, the persons most intimate with William of Orange were allowed to form satisfactory opinions as to his wishes, and to serve as instruments to his ends.  “Vive qui vince!” cried Saint-Aldegonde, encouragingly, to Ryhove, shaking hands with him at parting.  The conspirator immediately mounted, and rode off towards Ghent.  During his absence there had been much turbulence, but no decided outbreak, in that city.  Imbize had accosted the Duke of Aerschot in the street, and demanded when and how he intended to proclaim the restoration of the ancient charters.  The haughty Duke had endeavoured to shake off his importunate questioner, while Imbize persisted, with increasing audacity, till Aerschot lost his temper at last:  “Charters, charters!” he cried in a rage; “you shall learn soon, ye that are thus howling for charters, that we have still the old means of making you dumb, with a rope on your throats.  I tell you this—­were you ever so much hounded on by the Prince of Orange.”

The violence of the new governor excited the wrath of Imbize.  He broke from him abruptly, and rushed to a rendezvous of his confederates, every man of whom was ready for a desperate venture.  Groups of excited people were seen vociferating in different places.  A drum was heard to rattle from time to time.  Nevertheless, the rising tumult seemed to subside again after a season, owing partly to the exertions of the magistrates, partly to the absence of Ryhove.  At four in the afternoon that gentleman entered the town, and riding directly to the head-quarters of the conspiracy, was incensed to hear that the work, which had begun so bravely, had been allowed to cool.  “Tis a time,” he cried, “for vigilance.  If we sleep now, we shall be dead in our beds before morning.  Better to fan the fire which has begun to blaze in the people’s heart.  Better to gather the fruit while it is ripe.  Let us go forward, each with his followers, and I pledge myself to lead the way.  Let us scuttle the old ship of slavery; let us hunt the Spanish Inquisition, once for all, to the hell from whence it came!”

“There spoke the voice of a man!” cried the Flemish captain, Mieghem, one of the chief conspirators; “lead on, Ryhove, I swear to follow you as far as our legs will carry us.”  Thus encouraged, Ryhove, rushed about the city, calling upon the people everywhere to rise.  They rose almost to a man.  Arming and mustering at different points, according to previous arrangements, a vast number assembled by toll of bell, after nightfall, on the public square, whence, under command of Ryhove, they swept to the residence of Aerschot at Saint Bavon.  The guards,