Order being thus again restored in Ghent by the exertions of the Prince,
when no other human hand could have dispelled the anarchy which seemed to
reign supreme, William the Silent, having accepted the government of
Flanders, which had again and again been urged upon him, now returned to
Antwerp.




CHAPTER III.

The Cologne conferences--Intentions of the parties--Preliminary
attempt by government to purchase the Prince of Orange--Offer and
rejection of various articles among the plenipotentiaries--Departure
of the imperial commissionere--Ultimatum of the States compared with
that of the royal government--Barren negotiations terminated--
Treason of De Bours, Governor of Mechlin--Liberal theories
concerning the nature of government--Abjuration of Philip imminent--
Self-denial of Orange--Attitude of Germany--of England--Marriage
negotiations between Elizabeth and Anjou--Orange favors the election
of the Duke as sovereign--Address and speeches of the Prince--
Parsimony and interprovincial jealousy rebuked----Secret
correspondence of Count Renneberg with the royal government--
His treason at Groningen.

Since the beginning of May, the Cologne negotiations had been dragging
their slow length along. Few persons believed that any good was likely
to result from these stately and ponderous conferences; yet men were so
weary of war, so desirous that a termination might be put to the atrophy
under which the country was languishing, that many an eager glance was