Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/401

 1576.] THE SPANISH TREATY. 381 common cause with the Prince of Orange. Don Sancho d'Avila, who commanded at Antwerp, with the cap- tains of the garrisons in Ghent, Maestrecht, and Valen- ciennes, threatened destruction to the cities under their charge if the country revolted. In the absence of a governor there was no one to restrain the license of the army ; and the hungry Spaniards, soldiers and officers alike, were ready to take advantage of the first excuse for indiscriminate pillage. .After long hesitation, Philip had selected his illegitimate brother Don John to suc- ceed Requescens ; but Don John had not yet arrived, and the delay was fraught with ruin. The scheme for his marriage with Mary Stuart had been the difficulty. Guise wished it, and the English Catholics wished it. But Philip, to whom Don John was as much an object of -suspicion as Alencon or the King of France, was utterly discouraging. Philip meant to remain on good terms with Elizabeth, nor had he the slightest intention of promoting his brother to an independent sovereignty. Ardent Catholics throughout Europe had their hearts fastened on the enterprise of England. Don John's appointment had been postponed, from a fear that he might abuse his opportunity and act upon their insti- gation. He was sent to his government with a pro- hibition to meddle in English politics at all ; and Philip's secretary, the unlucky Escobedo, was sent with him as a check on his ambition, and a spy upon his actions. Don John notwithstanding still allowed his thoughts to wander in the forbidden direction. Information, true