It was also both publicly reported and secretly registered, that Brederode had eaten capons and other meat at Antwerp, upon Good Friday, which happened to be the day of his visit to that city.

He denied the charge, however; with ludicrous vehemence.

"They who have told Madame that we ate meat in Antwerp," he wrote to Count Louis, "have lied wickedly and miserably, twenty-four feet down in their throats." He added that his nephew, Charles Mansfeld, who, notwithstanding the indignant prohibition of his father, had assisted of the presentation of the Request, and was then in his uncle's company at Antwerp, had ordered a capon, which Brederode had countermanded.

"They told me afterwards," said he, "that my nephew had broiled a sausage in his chamber.

I suppose that he thought himself in Spain, where they allow themselves such dainties." Let it not be thought that these trifles are beneath the dignity of history.