He rebuked, however, the inconsistency and the tergiversations of the government with a good deal of dignity.  “This certainly shall I tell her Majesty,” he said, “if I live to see her, that except a more constant course be taken with this inconstant people, it is not the blaming of her ministers will advance her Highness’s service, or better the state of things.  And shall I tell you what they now say here of us—­I fear not without some cause—­even as Lipsius wrote of the French, ’De Gallis quidem enigmata veniunt, non veniunt, volunt, holunt, audent, timent, omnia, ancipiti metu, suspensa et suspecta.’  God grant better, and ever keep you and help me.”

He announced to Burghley that he was about to attend a meeting of the state-council the next day, for the purpose of a conference on these matters at Arnheim, and that he would then set forth for England to report proceedings to her Majesty.  He supposed, on the whole, that this was what was expected of him, but acknowledged it hopeless to fathom the royal intentions.  Yet if he went wrong, he was always, sure to make mischief, and though innocent, to be held accountable for others’ mistakes.  “Every prick I make,” said he, “is made a gash; and to follow the words of my directions from England is not enough, except I likewise see into your minds.  And surely mine eyesight is not so good.  But I will pray to God for his help herein.  With all the wit I have, I will use all the care I can—­first, to satisfy her Majesty, as God knoweth I have ever most desired; then, not to hurt this cause, but that I despair of.”  Leicester, as maybe supposed, had been much discomfited and perplexed during the course of these contradictory and perverse directions.  There is no doubt whatever that his position bad been made discreditable and almost ridiculous, while he was really doing his best, and spending large sums out of his private fortune to advance the true interests of the Queen.  He had become a suspected man in the Netherlands, having been, in the beginning of the year, almost adored as a Messiah.  He had submitted to the humiliation which had been imposed upon him, of being himself the medium to convey to the council the severe expressions of the Queen’s displeasure at the joint action of the States-General and himself.  He had been comforted by the affectionate expressions with which that explosion of feminine and royal wrath had been succeeded.  He was now again distressed by the peremptory command to do what was a disgrace to him, and an irreparable detriment to the cause, yet he was humble and submissive, and only begged to be allowed, as a remedy for all his anguish, to return to the sunlight of Elizabeth’s presence.  He felt that her course; if persisted in, would lead to the destruction of the Netherland commonwealth, and eventually to the downfall of England; and that the Provinces, believing themselves deceived by the Queen; were ready to revolt against an authority to which, but a short time before, they were so devotedly loyal Nevertheless, he only wished to know what his sovereign’s commands distinctly were, in order to set himself to their fulfilment.  He had come from the camp before Nymegen in order to attend the conference with the state-council at Arnheim, and he would then be ready and anxious to, despatch Heneage to England, to learn her Majesty’s final determination.