Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/11



was Christmas morning in Brussels in the year of grace 1565. For twenty-four hours the snow had been steadily falling, but now the storm had ceased, and the stars shone clear and bright from the frosty sky. The streets of the capital were deserted, if we except a few belated travellers who were hurriedly seeking shelter from the piercing northwest wind.

The festivities incident to Christmas Eve had ceased. The good people of Brussels were quietly sleeping with joyful anticipations of a brighter tomorrow. Well might the nation rejoice, and the denizens of the city peacefully repose. Had not a signal victory been gained? Was not the hated Cardinal Granvelle recalled to Madrid, and had not the Spanish troops been removed from the Netherlands?

Ten years had passed since the eyes of the world had been directed to that unique spectacle, which 5