They found that fiery personage on this occasion all smiles and blandishments.  The Spaniards were received with most dignified courtesy, to which they gravely responded; and the general then proceeded to make excuses for the misunderstanding of the preceding day with its uncomfortable consequences.  Thereupon arose much animated discussion as to the causes and the nature of the alarm on the east side which had created such excitement.  Much time was ingeniously consumed in this utterly superfluous discussion; but at last the commissioners of the archduke insisted on making allusion to the business which had brought them to the town.  “What terms of negotiation do you propose?” they asked Sir Francis.  “His Highness has only to withdraw from before Ostend,” coolly replied the general, “and leave us, his poor neighbours, in peace and quietness.  This would be the most satisfactory negotiation possible and the one most easily made.”

Serrano and Antonio found it difficult to see the matter in that cheerful light, and assured Sir Francis that they had not been commissioned by the archduke to treat for his own withdrawal but for the surrender of the town.  Hereupon high words and fierce discussion very naturally arose, and at last, when a good deal of time had been spent in the sharp encounter of wits, Vere proposed an adjournment of the discussion until after supper; politely expressing the hope that the Spanish gentlemen would be his guests.

The conversation had been from the beginning in French, as Vere, although a master of the Spanish language, was desirous that the rest of the company present should understand everything said at the interview.

The invitation to table was graciously accepted, and the Christmas eve passed off more merrily than the preceding night had done, so far as Vere’s two guests were concerned.  Several distinguished officers were present at the festive board:  Captain Montesquieu de Roquette, Sir Horace Vere, Captains St. Hilaire, Meetkerke, De Ryck, and others among them.  As it was strict fast for the Catholics that evening—­while on the other hand the English, still reckoning according to the old style, would not keep Christmas until ten days later—­the banquet consisted mainly of eggs and fish, and the like meagre articles, in compliment to the guests.  It was, however, as well furnished as could be expected in a beleaguered town, out of whose harbour a winter gale had been for many weeks blowing and preventing all ingress.  There was at least no lack of excellent Bordeaux wine; while the servants waiting upon the table did not fail to observe that Governor Serrano was not in all respects a model of the temperance usually characteristic of his race.  They carefully counted and afterwards related with admiration, not unmingled with horror, that the veteran Spaniard drank fifty-two goblets of claret, and was emptying his glass as fast as filled, although by no means neglecting the beer, the quality