Louis of Nassau and Sainte Aldegonde were ever honored and trusted as they deserved.
Although the language of the Compromise spoke of the leaguers as nobles, yet the document was circulated among burghers and merchants also, many of whom, according to the satirical remark of a Netherland Catholic, may, have been influenced by the desire of writing their names in such aristocratic company, and some of whom were destined to expiate such vainglory upon the scaffold.
With such associates, therefore, the profound and anxious mind of Orange could have little in common.

Confidence expanding as the numbers increased, their audacity and turbulence grew with the growth of the league.

The language at their wild banquets was as hot as the wine which confused their heads; yet the Prince knew that there was rarely a festival in which there did not sit some calm, temperate Spaniard, watching with quiet eye and cool brain the extravagant demeanor, and listening with composure to the dangerous avowals or bravados of these revellers, with the purpose of transmitting a record of their language or demonstrations, to the inmost sanctuary of Philip's cabinet at Madrid.
The Prince knew, too, that the King was very sincere in his determination to maintain the inquisition, however dilatory his proceedings might appear.

He was well aware that an armed force might be expected ere long to support the royal edicts.

Already the Prince had organized that system of espionage upon Philip, by which the champion of his country was so long able to circumvent its despot.