Certainly there was cogency in this reasoning from the point of view of the French king, but it would have been as well to state, when he was so pompously making a league for offensive and defensive war, that his real interests and his real purposes were peace.  Much excellent diplomacy, much ringing of bells, firing of artillery, and singing of anthems in royal chapels, and much disappointment to honest Dutchmen, might have thus been saved.  It is also instructive to observe the difference between the accounts of De Maisse’s negotiations in England given by that diplomatist himself, and those rendered by the queen to the States’ envoy.

Of course the objurgations of the Hollanders that the king, in a very fallacious hope of temporary gain to himself, was about to break his solemn promises to his allies and leave them to their fate, drew but few tears down the iron cheeks of such practised diplomatists as Villeroy and his friends.

The envoys visited De Rosuy, who assured them that he was very much their friend, but gave them to understand that there was not the slightest possibility of inducing the king to break off the negotiations.

Before taking final leave of his Majesty they concluded, by advice of the Princess of Orange and of Buzanval, to make the presents which they had brought with them from the States-General.  Accordingly they sent, through the hands of the princess, four pieces of damask linen and two pieces of fine linen to the king’s sister, Madame Catherine, two pieces of linen to Villeroy, and two to the beautiful Gabrielle.  The two remaining pieces were bestowed upon Buzanval for his pains in accompanying them on the journey and on their arrival at court.

The incident shows the high esteem in which the Nethcrland fabrics were held at that period.

There was a solemn conference at last between the leading counsellors of the king, the chancellor, the Dukes of Espernon and Bouillon, Count Schomberg, and De Sancy, Plessis, Buzanval, Maisse, the Dutch envoys, and the English ambassador and commissioner Herbert.  Cecil presided, and Barneveld once more went over the whole ground, resuming with his usual vigour all the arguments by which the king’s interest and honour were proved to require him to desist from the peace negotiations.  And the orator had as much success as is usual with those who argue against a foregone conclusion.  Everyone had made up his mind.  Everyone knew that peace was made.  It is unnecessary, therefore, to repeat the familiar train of reasoning.  It is superfluous to say that the conference was barren.  On the same evening Villeroy called on the States’ envoys, and informed them plainly, on the part of the king, that his Majesty had fully made up his mind.