He was accused of wearing a secret shirt of mail, of living in perpetual trepidation, of having gone on his knees to Egmont and Orange, of having sent Richardot, Bishop of Arras, to intercede for him in the same humiliating manner with Egmont.

All these stories were fables.

Bold as he was arrogant, he affected at this time to look down with a forgiving contempt on the animosity of the nobles.

He passed much of his time alone, writing his eternal dispatches to the King.

He had a country-house, called La Fontaine, surrounded by beautiful gardens, a little way outside the gates of Brussels, where he generally resided, and whence, notwithstanding the remonstrances of his friends, he often returned to town, after sunset, alone, or with but a few attendants.