The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1567 part 2 | Page 9

he was a Lutheran and traitor, that he was not so
great a favorite with the government at Madrid as he desired to be.
After the first few moments, however, Alva's manner had changed,
while Chiappin Vitelli, Gabriel de Serbelloni, and other principal
officers, received the Count with great courtesy, even upon his first
appearance. The grand prior, Ferdinando de Toledo, natural son of the
Duke, and already a distinguished soldier, seems to have felt a warm
and unaffected friendship for Egmont, whose brilliant exploits in the
field had excited his youthful admiration, and of whose destruction he
was, nevertheless, compelled to be the unwilling instrument. For a few
days, accordingly, after the arrival of the new Governor-General all
seemed to be going smoothly. The grand prior and Egmont became
exceedingly intimate, passing their time together in banquets,
masquerades, and play, as joyously as if the merry days which had
succeeded the treaty of Cateau Cambreais were returned. The Duke, too,
manifested the most friendly dispositions, taking care to send him large
presents of Spanish and Italian fruits, received frequently by the

government couriers.
Lapped in this fatal security, Egmont not only forgot his fears, but
unfortunately succeeded in inspiring Count Horn with a portion of his
confidence. That gentleman had still remained in his solitary mansion
at Weert, notwithstanding the artful means which had been used to lure
him from that "desert." It is singular that the very same person who,
according to a well-informed Catholic contemporary, had been most
eager to warn Egmont of his danger, had also been the foremost
instrument for effecting the capture of the Admiral. The Seigneur de
Billy, on the day after his arrival from Madrid, had written to Horn,
telling him that the King was highly pleased with his services and
character. De Billy also stated that he had been commissioned by Philip
to express distinctly the royal gratitude for the Count's conduct, adding
that his Majesty was about to visit the Netherlands in August, and
would probably be preceded or accompanied by Baron Montigny.
Alva and his son Don Ferdinando had soon afterwards addressed letters
from Gerverbiller (dated 26th and 27th July) to Count Horn, filled with
expressions of friendship and confidence. The Admiral, who had sent
one of his gentlemen to greet the Duke, now responded from Weert that
he was very sensible of the kindness manifested towards him, but that
for reasons which his secretary Alonzo de la Loo would more fully
communicate, he must for the present beg to be excused from a
personal visit to Brussels. The secretary was received by Alva with
extreme courtesy. The Duke expressed infinite pain that the King had
not yet rewarded Count Horn's services according to their merit, said
that a year before he had told his brother Montigny how very much he
was the Admiral's friend, and begged La Loo to tell his master that he
should not doubt the royal generosity and gratitude. The governor
added, that if he could see the Count in person he could tell him things
which would please 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,