On reaching the foot of the mound the burgomaster and Captain Van der
Elst proceeded to the Stadhuis, while Baron Van Arenberg accompanied
Jaqueline in the direction of her own house. She walked on, though with
graceful step, far more rapidly than her companion wished, looking
directly before her without turning her head, unless it was absolutely
necessary to do so.
"I am still not altogether satisfied as to the entire truth of the
report brought by this young captain regarding the destruction of Count
Louis and his army. The Spanish troops are undoubtedly brave and
disciplined, but it seems incredible to me that they should have cut to
pieces in so short a time the large number of levies the Count is
reported to have had with him. If they allowed themselves to be so
easily defeated all I can say is, that they deserved their fate. In my
opinion it is a pity that we Hollanders should so persistently hold out
against the troops of our lawful sovereign; far better by yielding with
a good grace to bring the fighting to an end."
"And share the fate of the unhappy inhabitants of Haarlem," answered
Jaqueline, for the first time turning her head and glancing at him with
a look which betokened as much contempt as her features were capable of
exhibiting. "Think of the thousands of our countrymen who have been
cruelly butchered because they were determined to hold fast to our
Protestant faith rather than confess that of our foreign tyrants. I
should say, let every man and woman perish bravely, fighting to the last
rather than basely give up their birthrights."
"I will not venture to argue with you on that point, fair Jaqueline,"
answered Van Arenberg. "I wish as much as any Hollander can do to
preserve our birthrights, as well as my castle and broad estates, but I
assure you that you underrate the power of the Spaniards. Our cause,
the patriot cause, is desperate; it is on account of the deep admiration
I feel for you, if I may use no warmer term, that I would save you from
the horrors to which others have been exposed."
"I speak the sentiments held by my father and every right-minded man in
our city--ay! and woman too," answered Jaqueline, in a firm tone. "We
would imitate our sisters in Haarlem and Alkmaar and join the citizens
in defending our walls."
"But should the city be again besieged--and it assuredly will be should
the report of the total defeat of Count Louis prove correct--how can
Leyden hope to hold out against the disciplined and experienced troops
of the king? The Prince of Orange has no force sufficient to relieve
the city, and be assured that the fate which overtook Haarlem will be
that of Leyden, though the inhabitants are not likely to be treated with
that measure of forbearance which those of Haarlem received."
"If you speak of the measure of forbearance awarded to Haarlem, that was
small indeed," said Jaqueline. "You seem to forget that every citizen
of wealth was massacred, that every Hollander who had borne arms in the
siege was put to death, while many hundreds of other citizens were
afterwards murdered by the savage Spaniards who desired to strike terror
into the hearts of the survivors. I should say, rather than submit to
so terrible a fate, let us struggle to the last, and then perish amid
the ruins of the town."
"You are indeed, lovely Jaqueline, worthy of being a heroine of romance,
and already you inspire me with some of the enthusiasm which you feel,
though I cannot pretend to believe that the efforts which the citizens
of Leyden may make will be crowned with success; yet believe me that I
was prompted entirely by my earnest desire to preserve one I prize so
highly and her family from impending destruction to give the advice I
venture to offer."
"I am well aware of the admiration in which you hold me, Baron Van
Arenberg," answered Jaqueline, "but whatever are your motives, even were
I certain that our cause is desperate, and I do not believe that it is
(for I feel assured that God will prosper the right in the end), I would
not by word or act counsel my father and the citizens of Leyden to yield
while a single man remains alive to strike a blow for freedom."
Gentle as Jaqueline looked while she spoke, her voice and manner were
firm and determined, while she showed that she was anxious to bring the
discussion to an end. It might have afforded more encouragement to the
baron had she endeavoured to win him over to the opinions she held, but
beyond expressing them she made no attempt to do so. The baron,
however, fancied that he was too well acquainted with the female heart
to despair of success; he was young, good-looking, and wealthy, and as
far as was known his moral character was irreproachable. The
burgomaster, deceived by his plausible manners, trusted him fully, and
considering from his rank and wealth that he would be a suitable husband
for his fair daughter, invited him frequently to the house, and had
always received him in a cordial manner. The baron had therefore good
reason to believe that his suit would be successful.
On reaching her father's house, Jaqueline politely, though somewhat
stiffly, thanked him for the service he had rendered in escorting her
home, and the door opening, she entered without expressing the slightest
wish that he would remain. He lingered, expecting that she would at
last remember what he looked upon as her neglect, but she ascended the
steps without further notice of him. He stamped impatiently as he
walked away, muttering, "It is clear that I have a rival, or the fair
Lily would not treat my advances so coldly, supported, as she knows I
am, by her father. Instead of feeling honoured, as she ought, at being
sought in marriage by a noble, she seems utterly regardless of my rank
and personal qualifications. I am very sure that I can make myself as
agreeable to women as can most men, and from her beauty alone,
independent of her fortune, she is well worth winning, so I must not
despair. Still it will never do to have her cooped up in this hapless
town should it be again invested by the Spaniards; I have no fancy
indeed to stay in it myself, and I must bend all my efforts towards
finding the means of carrying her away before the siege commences.
There is not a day, however, to be lost. She appears to have no fear
herself, but I may work upon the feelings of her father, and induce him,
for the sake of preserving her from the horrors of the siege, to entrust
her to my care. I must venture upon some warmer expressions of love and
devotion than I have hitherto exhibited, and by describing the horrible
fate which may be hers should she remain, and the happiness which awaits
her if she will consent to accompany me, as my wife, out of the country,
I may induce her to yield more willingly than she at present seems
inclined to do." Such were the thoughts which occupied the mind of the
baron as he proceeded with leisurely step towards the Stadhuis, where he
had no great desire to make his appearance, although having been
expressly invited by the burgomaster he could not avoid going. He found
the chief magistrates, most influential citizens, assembled. The
burgomaster had informed them of the sad intelligence he had just
received, and Captain Van der Elst, at his desire, had described the
battle and its disastrous termination. One circumstance alone afforded
satisfaction, it was that Count John, now the Prince's only surviving
brother, who had already done so much for the cause, although expecting
to participate in the battle, had, at the urgent request of the other
leaders, left the army two days before the action, in order to obtain at
Cologne money to pay the troops. The young captain had just finished
his account. The first point to be settled was the selection of a
military chief whom all would be ready to obey.
The burgomaster rose. After expressing his readiness to devote his
fortune, his life, and everything he possessed to the cause, he
acknowledged that he had no military experience or talents, and urged
upon his fellow-citizens the importance of selecting a man who possessed
the talents in which he was wanting. "There is one," he said. "John
Van der Does, Seigneur of Nordwyck, a gentleman of distinguished family,
but still more distinguished for his learning, his poetical genius, his
valour and military accomplishments; if we select him, the Prince I am
sure will sanction our appointment."
Without a dissentient voice the Seigneur of Nordwyck was elected
military commandant. The burgomaster did not conceal from them the
dangers and the sufferings which perchance they would have to undergo,
but he added, "Remember Naarden, my friends, we cannot too often reflect
on the fate of Naarden; although the inhabitants offered no resistance,
they were indiscriminately slaughtered, and such may be our lot even if
we go humbly forth to sue for pardon from the conquerors of Mookerheyde.
Remember Haarlem, which, although defended with the heroism which ought
to have inspired respect and consideration in the hearts of the
conquerors, was treated with cruelties from the bare contemplation of
which the mind shrinks back with horror; then let us think of Alkmaar
which so bravely and successfully resisted, and imitate the example of
its citizens with the hope and confidence that we shall be equally
successful in driving back the hated foe."
Other patriotic magistrates spoke in the same strain, and all were
unanimous in their resolution to defend their city to the last, while it
was agreed that steps should instantly be taken for that object.
Unhappily much precious time had already been lost; the forts and
redoubts thrown up by the Spaniards still remained, and at present the
defenders of the city had too much to do within the walls to attempt
levelling them. The new commandant urged them to strengthen the
fortifications, and in the meantime to obtain such stores of provisions
from the immediate neighbourhood as could be collected. There were a
_few_, however, who, although they did not vote in opposition to the
opinions of the majority, yet spoke of the hopelessness of the
undertaking in which they were about to engage. Among these was Baron
Van Arenberg, although he expressed himself carefully he did his best to
persuade the citizens that their wisest course would be to yield before
proceeding to extremities.
"I say not that such is what I advise," he observed. "But conciliatory
measures might prove successful; if they fail let us by all means
endeavour to keep out the enemy as long as we can."
"The Spaniards have already shown us the uselessness of conciliatory
measures as well as the utter worthlessness of their guarantees for the
safety of those who submit," said the burgomaster. "It would be
suicidal madness to trust them; let us put faith in God, who defends the
right, in our own resolute courage and power of endurance, in our strong
walls, and in the assistance which the Prince of Orange will afford us
at our need."
The baron was silent; he was especially anxious not to say anything
which might offend the burgomaster by openly differing from him; but his
remarks encouraged others connected with certain persons, their
relations or friends, recreant Hollanders, who had sided with the
Spaniards and professed to have returned to the Faith of Rome. These
men were familiarly called Glippers; their object was to induce their
countrymen to follow their example. A few holding their opinions
remained in the city, either kept there by business or with the
intention of creating dissension among the patriots. Although Baron Van
Arenberg openly professed to be a patriot, yet from the expressions he
let fall many already began to suspect his designs. When those who
followed him spoke, their opinions were received with loud expressions
of disapprobation. He saw that in the present state of the public mind
it would be prudent for the future more carefully to conceal his
sentiments than he had hitherto done. "I must bide my time," he said to
himself.
Numerous matters of importance were discussed, and the persons supposed
best suited for certain duties were selected to superintend the various
tasks which had to be performed to prepare the city for the expected
siege. One undertook to procure cattle, another fodder, a third corn;
others to collect arms and ammunition. The strengthening of the
fortifications was allotted to several who had some experience in such
matters. The guns and their carriages had to be looked to, such
buildings as were suited for storehouses were to be prepared, and
hospitals fitted up to receive the sick or wounded; indeed, no point was
neglected. All these arrangements having been made, the brave John Van
der Does, the newly-elected commandant, rose.
"We have not concealed from ourselves the difficulties and dangers of
the task we have undertaken," he said. "But, my friends and
fellow-citizens, on God, on your stout arms, and on the energy of our
Prince we will rely to defend our city against all the foes who may
appear before our walls," he exclaimed, as he drew his sword; and
raising it above his head, he added, "Never will I again sheathe this
weapon till the hated Spaniard has been driven from our country, and we
may henceforth repose in peace."