At a little before noon, the gentlemen came forth, marching on foot, two by two, to the number of three hundred.

Nearly all were young, many of them bore the most ancient historical names of their country, every one was arrayed in magnificent costume.

It was regarded as ominous, that the man who led the procession, Philip de Bailleul, was lame.

The line was closed by Brederode and Count Louis, who came last, walking arm in arm.

An immense crowd was collected in the square in front of the palace, to welcome the men who were looked upon as the deliverers of the land from Spanish tyranny, from the Cardinalists, and from the inquisition.