expected in France, has been doing his best to be beforehand with you in
the field: add, moreover, that this French negotiation has given other
princes a bad taste in their mouths. This is the case with her Majesty.
The Queen is, not without reason, annoyed that the States have not only
despised her friendly and good-hearted offers, but have all along been
endeavouring to embark her in this war, for the defence of the Provinces,
which would have cost her several millions, without offering to her the
slightest security. On the contrary, others, enemies of the religion,
who are not to be depended upon--who had never deserved well of the
States or assisted them in their need, as she has done--have received
this large offer of sovereignty without any reserve whatever."

Ortel (not suffering himself to be disconcerted at this unjust and
somewhat insidious attack).--"That which has been transacted with France
was not done except with the express approbation and full foreknowledge
of her Majesty, so far back as the lifetime of his Excellency (William of
Orange), of high and laudable memory. Things had already gone so far,
and the Provinces had agreed so entirely together, as to make it
inexpedient to bring about a separation in policy. It was our duty to
hold together, and, once for all, thoroughly to understand what the King
of France, after such manifold presentations through Monsieur Des
Pruneaulx and others, and in various letters of his own, finally intended
to do. At the same time, notwithstanding these negotiations, we had
always an especial eye upon her Majesty. We felt a hopeful confidence
that she would never desert us, leaving us without aid or counsel, but
would consider that these affairs do not concern the Provinces alone or
even especially, but are just as deeply important to her and to all other
princes of the religion."

After this dialogue, with much more conversation of a similar character,