journey, under these circumstances, was tedious, disagreeable, and full of hazard. Nevertheless the adventurers arrived safely at Paris, where Don John had the comfort of conversing confidentially with the Spanish Minister, although, to the world at large, he still passed for a slave. Having been admitted incognito to a royal ball, he there saw, and was captivated by the beautiful Margaret, Queen of Navarre, whom he was destined to see yet again. Arrived at Luxembourg, he became aware that he would have done better if he had repaired to his viceroyalty at once, instead of incurring delay by going into Spain. For things had gone most unfortunately in the few days preceding his arrival. The Spanish troops, mutinous for want of pay, had fallen upon and sacked the city of Antwerp. And the tale of their lawlessness and ferocity was the first information that greeted his ears.
It would require more space than we have left disposable to give anything like a clear account of the deplorable course of things in the Low Countries after Don John showed himself, and went through the forms of assuming the government. The sceptre had, in truth, already departed from his house; and the short span that remained to him of life was to be fretted away in useless negotiations, barren plans, and military attempts made without necessary money or munitions. Very soon alter his arrival he was attacked by fever; and it may be said that, at that first attack, his health really gave way, although he was able to return to his duty, and to impress those whom he met in public by his still charming manners, his gaiety, and his accomplishments. Had he been well supplied with funds, and allowed to follow the dictates of his own good sense, it is possible that he might have retrieved matters for Philip; but he was tied and straitened in such a way as to leave him no possible chance of success. Very early in his viceroyalty, old acquaintances, who saw him again, remarked how he had deteriorated in appearance and spirits. His office lasted for a period of something less than two years, and it was a time of wasting, of disappointment, and of failure.
Two or three bright spots there were amid the gloom of his administration. The gay Queen of Navarre, hoping to make for one of her brothers some capital out of the troubles of the Netherlands, found it advisable to repair to the waters of Spa. She travelled in gorgeous state, having three horse-litters, six carriages, ten maids-of-honour on horseback, and a very large retinue of noble attendants. Don John met the fair traveller on her journey from Mons to Namur, and rode beside her litter, overcome by her beauty and fascinations. The Queen was for grace and beauty accounted the nompareille of Europe. Her present admirer was the greatest hero then alive. It was the chivalric dream realised of the bravest of the brave and the fairest of the fair. No doubt the youth and natural gaiety of the great commander then won a few hours of delight from his cares as the enchantress looked out upon him from her litter, "glorious in the July light, with its gilded pillars, crimson hangings, and glasses painted with forty different solar emblems, with their mottoes in Italian and Spanish."
He entertained "the fair mischief" for two or three days, at Namur, with great magnificence, giving her banquets, a fête champêtre, and balls. The Queen was
