These steps had their effect.  Louis, suddenly confronted by this formidable coalition, preferred to accept mediation, though it involved his waiving a portion of his pretensions.  Knowing well that the alliance was a very unstable one, for the consent of Charles was given under duress and the aims of Sweden were mercenary, he foresaw that by biding his time, he could have ample revenge later upon the republic of traders who had ventured to thwart him.  At a meeting at St Germain-en-Laye between the French Foreign Minister, Lionne, and the Dutch and English ambassadors, Van Beuningen and Trevor, preliminaries were settled on April 15.  These were confirmed by a conference of representatives of all the interested States at Aix-la-Chapelle (May 2), in which Temple took an active part.  Louis gave up Franche-Comte, which he had conquered, but retained Mons, Courtrai, Tournai, Lille, Charleroi and other frontier towns.  This treaty, following on that of Breda, was the crowning triumph of De Witt’s administration, for it had given to the Dutch Republic a decisive voice in the Councils of the Great Powers of Europe.

But, though he had proved himself so successful in the fields of diplomacy and statesmanship, the position of the council-pensionary had, during the course of the English war, become distinctly weaker.  De Witt’s authoritative ways, his practical monopoly of power, and his bestowal of so many posts upon his relatives and friends, aroused considerable jealousy and irritation.  Cabals began to be formed against him and old supporters to fall away.  He lost the help of Van Beverningh, who resigned the office of Treasurer-General, and he managed to estrange Van Beuningen, who had much influence in Amsterdam.  The Bickers and De Graeffs were no longer supreme in that city, where a new party under the leadership of Gillis Valckenier had acceded to power.  This party, with which Van Beuningen now associated himself, was at present rather anti-De Witt than pro-Orange.  Valckenier and Beuningen became in succession burgomasters; and De Witt’s friend, Pieter de Groot, had to resign the office of pensionary.  In the Estates of Holland, therefore, De Witt had to face opposition, one of the leaders being the able Pensionary of Haarlem, Caspar Fagel.  And all this time he had ever before his eyes the fact that the Prince of Orange could not much longer remain “the Child of State”; and that, when he passed out of the tutelage of the Estates of Holland, his future position would have to be settled.  De Witt had himself devoted much personal care to William’s instruction; and the prince had submitted patiently and apparently with contentment to the restrictions with which he was surrounded.  Physically weakly, his health was at all times delicate, but his intelligence was remarkable and his will-power extraordinary.  Cold and impenetrable in manner and expression, unbending in his haughty aloofness, he knew how with perfect courtesy to keep his own