the Prince as to the proper method of assembling the estates really meant, to advise with him as to the best means of preventing any such assembly.  Here, certainly, was a good reason for the preference expressed by the deputies, in favor of amicable discussions over formal protocols.  It might not be so easy in a written document to make the assembly, and the prevention of the assembly, appear exactly the same thing.

The Prince replied that there was a wide difference between the condition of France and of the Netherlands.  Here, was one will and one intention.  There, were many factions, many partialities, many family intrigues.  Since it had been agreed by the Ghent treaty that certain points should be provisionally maintained and others settled by a speedy convocation of the states-general, the plainest course was to maintain the provisional points, and to summon the states-general at once.  This certainly was concise and logical.  It is doubtful, however, whether he were really as anxious for the assembly-general as he appeared to be.  Both parties were fencing at each other, without any real intention of carrying their points, for neither wished the convocation, while both affected an eagerness for that event.  The conversation proceeded.

“At least,” said an envoy, “you can tell beforehand in what you are aggrieved, and what you have to propose.”

“We are aggrieved in nothing, and we have nothing to propose,” answered the Prince, “so long as you maintain the Pacification.  We demand no other pledge, and are willing to refer everything afterwards to the assembly.”

“But,” asked Schetz, “what security do you offer us that you will yourselves maintain the Pacification?”

“We are not bound to give assurances,” answered the Prince.  “The Pacification is itself an assurance.  ’Tis a provisional arrangement, to be maintained by both parties, until after the decision of the assembly.  The Pacification must therefore be maintained or disavowed.  Choose between the two.  Only, if you mean still to acknowledge it, you must keep its articles.  This we mean to do, and if up to the present time you have any complaint to make of our conduct, as we trust you have not, we are ready to give you satisfaction.”

“In short,” said an envoy, “you mean, after we shall have placed in your hands the government of Utrecht, Amsterdam:  and other places, to deny us any pledges on your part to maintain the Pacification.”

“But,” replied the Prince, “if we are already accomplishing the Pacification, what more do you wish?”

“In this fashion,” cried the others, “after having got all that you ask, and having thus fortified yourselves more than you were ever fortified before, you will make war upon us.”

“War?” cried the Prince, “what are you afraid of?  We are but a handful of people; a worm compared to the King of Spain.  Moreover, ye are fifteen provinces to two.  What have you to fear?”