Thus bitterly did Margaret of Parma bewail the royal decree; not that she had any sympathy for the victims, but because she felt the increasing danger to the executioner.

One of two things it was now necessary to decide upon, concession or armed compulsion.

Meantime, while Philip was slowly and secretly making his levies, his sister, as well as his people, was on the rack.

Of all the seigniors, not one was placed in so painful a position as Egmont.

His military reputation and his popularity made him too important a personage to be slighted, yet he was deeply mortified at the lamentable mistake which he had committed.