The Countess was reserved for a more brilliant and a more bitter fate.

She was to espouse a man of higher rank, but more worthless character, also a traitor to the cause of freedom, to which she was herself devoted, and who was even accused of attempting her life in her old age, in order to supply her place with a younger rival.
The artful eloquence of Cornelia de Lalain did its work, and Renneberg entered into correspondence with Parma.

It is singular with how much indulgence his conduct and character were regarded both before and subsequently to his treason.

There was something attractive about the man.

In an age when many German and Netherland nobles were given to drunkenness and debauchery, and were distinguished rather for coarseness of manner and brutality of intellect than for refinement or learning, Count Renneberg, on the contrary, was an elegant and accomplished gentleman--the Sydney of his country in all but loyalty of character.