negotiations between Schomberg and Count Louis, with consent of Orange—­Conditions prescribed by the Prince—­Articles of secret alliance—­Remarkable letter of Count Louis to Charles ix.—­ Responsible and isolated situation of Orange—­The “Address” and the “Epistle”—­Religious sentiments of the Prince—­Naval action on the Zuyder Zee—­Captivity of Bossu and of Saint Aldegonde—­Odious position of Alva—­His unceasing cruelty—­Execution of Uitenhoove—­ Fraud practised by Alva upon his creditors—­Arrival of Requesens, the new Governor-General—­Departure of Alva—­Concluding remarks upon his administration.

For the sake of continuity in the narrative, the siege of Harlem has been related until its conclusion.  This great event constituted, moreover, the principal stuff in Netherland, history, up to the middle of the year 1573.  A few loose threads must be now taken up before we can proceed farther.

Alva had for some time felt himself in a false and uncomfortable position.  While he continued to be the object of a popular hatred as intense as ever glowed, he had gradually lost his hold upon those who, at the outset of his career, had been loudest and lowest in their demonstrations of respect.  “Believe me,” wrote Secretary Albornoz to Secretary Cayas, “this people abhor our nation worse than they abhor the Devil.  As for the Duke of Alva, they foam at the mouth when they hear his name.”  Viglius, although still maintaining smooth relations with the Governor, had been, in reality, long since estranged from him.  Even Aerschot, far whom the Duke had long maintained an intimacy half affectionate, half contemptuous, now began to treat him with a contumely which it was difficult for so proud a stomach to digest.

But the main source of discomfort was doubtless the presence of Medina Coeli.  This was the perpetual thorn in his side, which no cunning could extract.  A successor who would not and could not succeed him, yet who attended him as his shadow and his evil genius—­a confidential colleague who betrayed his confidence, mocked his projects, derided his authority, and yet complained of ill treatment—­a rival who was neither compeer nor subaltern, and who affected to be his censor—­a functionary of a purely anomalous character, sheltering himself under his abnegation of an authority which he had not dared to assume, and criticising measures which he was not competent to grasp;—­such was the Duke of Medina Coeli in Alva’s estimation.

The bickering between the two Dukes became unceasing and disgraceful.  Of course, each complained to the King, and each, according to his own account, was a martyr to the other’s tyranny, but the meekness manifested by Alva; in all his relations with the new comer, was wonderful, if we are to believe the accounts furnished by himself and by his confidential secretary.  On the other hand, Medina Coeli wrote to the King, complaining of Alva in most unmitigated strains, and asserting that he was himself never allowed to see any despatches, nor to have the slightest information as to the policy of the government.  He reproached, the Duke with shrinking from personal participation in military operations, and begged the royal forgiveness if he withdrew from a scene where he felt himself to be superfluous.