His adherents, on the other hand--Bossu, Berlaymont, Courieres--were as warm in his defence.

They replied by indignant denials of the charge against him, and by bitter insinuations against the Prince of Orange.

They charged him with nourishing the desire of being appointed governor of Brabant, an office considered inseparable from the general stadholderate of all the provinces.

They protested for themselves that they were actuated by no ambitious designs--that they were satisfied with their own position, and not inspired by jealousy of personages more powerful than themselves.

It is obvious that such charges and recriminations could excite no healing result, and that the lines between Cardinalists and their opponents would be defined in consequence more sharply than ever.