He knew there were many factions in _Holland_, and that the _States_ themselves were divided in their interests, and a thousand jealousies and fears were eternally spread amongst the rabble; there were cabals for every interest, that of the _French_ so prevailing, that of the _English_, and that of the illustrious _Orange_, and others for the _States_; so that it was not a difficulty to move any mischief, and pass it off among the crowd for dangerous consequences. _Brilliard_ knew each division, and which way they were inclined; he knew _Octavio_ was not so well with the _States_ as not to be easily rendered worse; for he was so entirely a creature and favourite of the Prince, that they conceived abundance of jealousies of him which they durst not own. _Brilliard_ besides knew a great man, who having a pique to _Octavio_, might the sooner be brought to receive any ill character of him: to this sullen magistrate he applies himself, and deluding the credulous busy old man with a thousand circumstantial lies, he discovers to him, that _Octavio_ held a correspondence with the _French_ King to betray the State; and that he caballed to that end with some who were looked upon as _French_ rebels, but indeed were no other than spies to _France_. This coming from a man of that party, and whose lord was a _French_ rebel, gained a perfect credit with the old Sir _Politic_; so that immediately hasting to the state-house, he lays this weighty affair before them, who soon found it reasonable, if not true, at least they feared, and sent out a warrant for the speedy apprehending him; but coming to his house, though early, they found him gone, and being informed which way he took, the messenger pursued him, and found his coach at the door of a _cabaret_, too obscure for his quality, which made them apprehend this was some place of rendezvous where he possibly met with his traitorous associators: they send in, and cunningly inquire who he waited for, or who was with him, and they understood he stayed for some gentleman of the _French_ nation; for he had ordered _Sylvia_ to come in man’s clothes that she might not be known; and had given order below, that if two _French_ gentlemen came they should be brought to him. This information made the scandal as clear as day, and the messenger no longer doubted of the reasonableness of his warrant, though he was loath to serve it on a person whose father he had served so many years. He waits at some distance from the house unseen, though he could take a view of all; he saw _Octavio_ come often out into the balcony, and look with longing eyes towards the road that leads to the town; he saw him all rich and gay as a young bridegroom, lovely and young as the morning that flattered him with so fair and happy a day; at last he saw two gentlemen alight at the door, and giving their horses to a page to walk the while, they ran up into the chamber where _Octavio_ was