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had planned an early trip to Antwerp to visit his parents and to renew his acquaintance with the playmate of his childhood, Hilvardine, only daughter of the Burgomaster, Anthony Van Straalen. The unsettled state of affairs in Brussels, and the absence of the Prince of Orange, made it impossible for the young advocate to leave his post for several months.

The famous Compromise, issued by the nobles in resistance to the Inquisition, had been fairly launched. Two hundred of the confederates, led by Count Brederode and Louis of Nassau, brother of Prince William, had marched with great pomp and ceremony to the royal palace, and presented the frightened Regent with their formidable petition. Baron Berlaymont quieted her fears with the celebrated remark, “Your Highness has nothing to fear from this crowd of beggars.” The nobles were indignant at this term of reproach, but the reckless Brederode laughed scornfully.

“They call us beggars,” he said. “Let us 52