nged
to the upper orders. Vast as was the hall, only such as they could find
room.

As the clock struck three, the Emperor entered--a decrepit man who,
although numbering only thirty-five years, looked much older. With one
arm he leaned on the shoulder of a tall and graceful youth, while his
other rested on a crutch. His hair was white, close-cropped, and
bristly, his beard grey and shaggy, his eye dark blue, his forehead
spacious, and his nose aquiline, but crooked; while his under lip was
heavy and hanging, the lower jaw projecting so far beyond the upper,
that he could with difficulty bring his shattered teeth together, so as
to speak with clearness. Behind him came his son Philip, and Queen Mary
of Hungary, the Archduke Maximilian, and other great personages
following, accompanied by a glittering throng of warriors, councillors,
lords and Knights of the Fleece. There was no lack of priests. The
Bishop of Arras was among them, serene and smiling, whatever might have
been passing in his heart. There, too, Ernst recognised one whom he had
seen in London--the Count of Egmont. His tall figure, delicate
features, and dark flowing hair, were not easily forgotten. His costume
was magnificent, unsurpassed by any. Near him stood the Count of Horn,
a brave admiral, but bold and quarrelsome--an unpopular man. Little did
they think that ere long they were to be betrayed by pretended friends,
and doomed to death by the sovereign whom they had faithfully served.
On the same platform were two other gallant men, the Marquis Berghen and
the Lord of Montigny--also doomed to suffer a cruel fate by their
treacherous master. Near Philip stood his favourite companion--a man
with a pallid face, coal-black hair, a slender and handsome figure--the
famous Ruy Gomez. Such were some of the many noted characters who had
assembled at the call of the Emperor.

As that man of hideous countenance and tottering steps entered the hall,
all present rose to their feet. At a sign from him they again took
their seats. He then seated himself in the centre of three chairs--one
occupied by Queen Mary of Hungary, the other by his son. A long oration
was now delivered by Philibert de Bruxelles, setting forth the Emperor's
reasons for abdicating the throne, his boundless love for his subjects,
and the imperative necessity he felt of maintaining the Catholic
religion in its purity. The deed of cession was then read, by which
Philip received al