Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/359

 i S 82.] EXPULSION OF MENDOZA. 343 later, and before he could speak, half a dozen swords were through his body. All was immediately confusion. A cry of horror rung through the city. Suspicion fell, but too naturally, where the Spaniards expected. Shouts were heard of ' Kill the French, kill the French/ and had Jaureguy waited till night when the fete had commenced, Alengon and his suit would have probably been slaugh- tered on the spot. 1 Orange himself had swooned, and was at first supposed to be dead. He recovered con- sciousness however in time to allay the worst alarm. Be- lieving that he had but a few minutes to live, and antici- pating the direction which popular fury might assume, he sent for the burgomaster, and assured him that to his certain knowledge it was the work not of France but of Spain. The assassin was identified by papers found about his person. Anastro, when the police went for him, had fled, but Antonio Venero was taken, and at once confessed, and before darkness fell the truth was known throughout the city. The Prince lay in extreme danger, and but for his extraordinary calmness, the wound would have been certainly mortal. One of the large arteries of the* throat had been divided, which the surgeons were unable to tie. Again and again the bleeding burst out, and his death was every moment expected. Daily bulletins were sent to England, and the delighted Ca- ' Si bien aflrman todos quo si el aguardaria dar el pistoletazo a la noche en un gran banquete que hacia el AleiKjon, le mataran a el y &. cuantos Franceses habia.' Don Ber- nardino al Key, I ji Avril, 1582: MSS. Simancas.