Alexander—­with a sad countenance, as much offended, his eyes declaring miscontentment—­asked who had made such a report.

“Upon the honour of a gentleman,” said he, “whoever has said this has much abused me, and evil acquitted himself.  They who know me best are aware that it is not my manner to let any word pass my lips that might offend any prince.”  Then, speaking most solemnly, he added, “I declare really and truly (which two words he said in Spanish), that I know not of any intention of the King of Spain against her Majesty or her realm.”

At that moment the earth did not open—­year of portents though it was—­ and the Doctor, “singularly rejoicing” at this authentic information from the highest source, proceeded cheerfully with the conversation.

“I hold myself,” he exclaimed, “the man most satisfied in the world, because I may now write to her Majesty that I have heard your Highness upon your honour use these words.”

“Upon my honour, it is true,” repeated the Duke; “for so honourably do I think of her Majesty, as that, after the King, my master, I would honour and serve her before any prince in Christendom.”  He added many earnest asseverations of similar import.

“I do not deny, however,” continued Alexander, “that I have heard of certain ships having been armed by the King against that Draak”—­he pronounced the “a” in Drake’s name very broadly, or Doric” who has committed so many outrages; but I repeat that I have never heard of any design against her Majesty or against England.”

The Duke then manifested much anxiety to know by whom he had been so misrepresented.  “There has been no one with me but Dr. Dale,” said, he, “and I marvel that he should thus wantonly have injured me.”

“Dr. Dale,” replied Ropers, “is a man of honour, of good years, learned, and well experienced; but perhaps he unfortunately misapprehended some of your Alteza’s words, and thought himself bound by his allegiance strictly to report them to her Majesty.”

“I grieve that I should be misrepresented and injured,” answered Farnese, “in a manner so important to my honour.  Nevertheless, knowing the virtues with which her Majesty is endued, I assure myself that the protestations I am now making will entirely satisfy her.”

He then expressed the fervent hope that the holy work of negotiation now commencing would result in a renewal of the ancient friendship between the Houses of Burgundy and of England, asserting that “there had never been so favourable a time as the present.”

Under former governments of the Netherlands there had been many mistakes and misunderstandings.

“The Duke of Alva,” said he, “has learned by this time, before the judgment-seat of God, how he discharged his functions, succeeding as he did my mother, the Duchess of Parma who left the Provinces in so flourishing a condition.  Of this, however, I will say no more, because of a feud between the Houses of Farnese and of Alva.  As for Requesens, he was a good fellow, but didn’t understand his business.  Don John of Austria again, whose soul I doubt not is in heaven, was young and poor, and disappointed in all his designs; but God has never offered so great a hope of assured peace as might now be accomplished by her Majesty.”