PART I

THE NETHERLANDERS

CHAP. PAGE

I. THE ALCHEMIST 3

II. FRÄULEIN ANNE 13

III. LOUIS OF NASSAU 26

IV. THE SAINT BARTHOLOMEW WEDDING 36

V. WILLIAM OF ORANGE 48

VI. THE CRYSTAL GAZERS 58

VII. BRUSSELS 71

VIII. MARGARET OF PARMA 81

IX. CARDINAL GRANVELLE 91

X. THE RHETORIC PLAY 101

XI. THE JESTERS AND THE RHETORIC PLAYERS 111

XII. THE GRANDEES 121

XIII. THE DEPARTURE OF THE CARDINAL 131

XIV. THE REGENT, THE PRINCE, AND THE CARDINALIST 140