Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/365

 1583.] EXPULSION OF MENDOZA. 349 were on their guard ; at Antwerp, where the Duke com- manded in person, his own imbecility made his defeat more absolutely fatal. He had waited to hear of his success elsewhere. The dela} r brought notice to the Prince from Bruges, and he had leisure to prepare. The French camp contained four thousand men, trained soldiers all of them. The Provost of Antwerp was in Alencon's confidence, and had promised, so far as lay in him, to betray his trust. The Prince, saying nothing, made an excuse for calling the city guard under arms, and bidding them hold themselves in readiness to form at a moment's notice, went frankly to the Duke for ex- planations. The Duke swore, with seemingly equal openness, that he was absolutely innocent of any bad in- tentions whatever. He disclaimed all knowledge of what had happened at Bruges, and professed him- self a faithful and loyal servant of the States. The Prince was not satisfied. The city remained all night on the alert. In the morning he went again with a deputation of the magistrates to request that the camp should be withdrawn to a greater distance from the gates. The Duke agreed, still swearing that no harm was intended. He occupied a palace inside the walls, and the Prince asked him to prove his sincerity by re- maining within the gates for the day. He gave his word only to break it : he remained quiet till the afternoon, that the French might do their work under cover of the early darkness, and then galloping out to them, where they were drawn up waiting for his coming, he pointed to the city and bade them go in and take it. The gate