Notwithstanding what had passed, however, Richardot intimated that Alexander was still ready to negotiate.  “And if you, Sir,” he concluded, in his letter to Aldegonde, “concerning whom many of our friends have at present a sinister opinion, as if your object was to circumvent us, are willing to proceed roundly and frankly, as I myself firmly believe that you will do, we may yet hope for a favourable issue.”

Thus the burgomaster was already the object of suspicion to both parties.  The Antwerpers denounced him as having been purchased by Spanish gold; the royalists accused him of intending to overreach the King.  It was not probable therefore that all were correct in their conjectures.

At last it was arranged that deputies should be appointed by the broad council to commence a negotiation with Parma.  Sainte Aldegonde informed Richardot, that he would (5th July, 1585) accompany them, if his affairs should permit.  He protested his sincerity and frankness throughout the whole affair.  “They try to calumniate me,” he said, “as much on one side as on the other, but I will overcome by my innocence all the malice of my slanderers.  If his Highness should be pleased to grant us some liberty for our religion, I dare to promise such faithful service as will give very great satisfaction.”

Four days later, Sainte Aldegonde himself, together with M. de Duffel, M. de Schoonhoven, and Adrian Hesselt, came to Parma’s camp at Beveren, as deputies on the part of the Antwerp authorities.  They were courteously received by the Prince, and remained three days as his guests.  During the period of this visit, the terms of a capitulation were thoroughly discussed, between Alexander and his councillors upon one part, and the four deputies on the other.  The envoys endeavoured, with all the arguments at their command, to obtain the consent of the Prince to three preliminary points which they laid down as indispensable.  Religious liberty must be granted, the citadel must not be reconstructed, a foreign garrison must not be admitted; they said.  As it was the firm intention of the King, however, not to make the slightest concession on any one of these points, the discussion was not a very profitable one.  Besides the public interviews at which all the negotiators were present, there was a private conference between Parma and Sainte Aldegonde which lasted more than four hours, in which each did his best to enforce his opinions upon the other.  The burgomaster endeavoured to persuade the Prince with all the eloquence for which he was so renowned, that the hearts not of the Antwerpers only, but of the Hollanders and Zeelanders, were easily to be won at that moment.  Give them religious liberty, and attempt to govern them by gentleness rather than by Spanish garrisons, and the road was plain to a complete reconciliation of all the Provinces with his Majesty.