His efforts were in vain.

William had warned the States-General and the nobles of the anti-Spanish party in Brabant and Flanders that Don John was not to be trusted, and he now pointed to the present attitude of the governor-general, as a proof that his suspicions were well-founded.

Indeed the eyes of all true patriots began to turn to the prince, who had been quietly strengthening his position, not only in Holland and Zeeland, where he was supreme, but also in Utrecht and Gelderland; and popular movements in Brussels and elsewhere took place in his favour.

So strongly marked was the Orange feeling in the capital that the States-General acceded to the general wish that the prince should be invited to come in person to Brussels.
Confidence was expressed by Catholics no less than by Protestants that only under his leadership could the country be delivered from Spanish tyranny.

A deputation was sent, bearing the invitation; but for a while William hesitated in giving an affirmative reply.