the boots to be chopped into little pieces, stewed and seasoned. Then
sending for the culprit shoemaker, he ordered him to eat his own boots,
thus converted into a pottage; and with this punishment the unfortunate
mechanic, who had thought his life forfeited, was sufficiently glad to
comply.

Even the puissant Alva could not escape his violence. Like all the men
in whom his father reposed confidence, the Duke was odious to the heir
apparent. Don Carlos detested him with the whole force of his little
soul. He hated him as only a virtuous person deserved to be hated by
such a ruffian. The heir apparent had taken the Netherlands under his
patronage. He had even formed the design of repairing secretly to the
provinces, and could not, therefore, disguise his wrath at the
appointment of the Duke. It is doubtful whether the country would have
benefited by the gratification of his wishes. It is possible that the
pranks of so malignant an ape might have been even more mischievous than
the concentrated and vigorous tyranny of an Alva. When the new Captain-
general called, before his departure, to pay his respects to the Infante,
the Duke seemed, to his surprise, to have suddenly entered the den of a
wild beast. Don Carlos sprang upon him with a howl of fury, brandishing
a dagger in his hand. He uttered reproaches at having been defrauded of
the Netherland government. He swore that Alva should never accomplish
his mission, nor leave his presence alive. He was proceeding to make
good the threat with his poniard, when the Duke closed with him.
A violent struggle succeeded. Both rolled together on the ground,
the Prince biting and striking like a demoniac, the Duke defending
himself as well as he was able, without attempting his adversary's life.
Before the combat was decided, the approach of many persons put an end to
the disgraceful scene. As decent a veil as possible was thrown over the
transaction, and the Duke departed on his mission. Before the end of the