He then commented on the strong expressions in the English letters, as to the continuance of her Majesty in her pious resolutions; observed that he was thoroughly advised of the disputes between the Earl of Leicester and the States; and added that it was very important for the time indicated by the Queen.

“Whatever is to be done,” said he, in conclusion, “let it be done quickly;” and with that he said he would go and eat a bit of supper.

“And may I communicate Lord Burghley’s letter to any one else?” asked De Loo.

“Yes, yes, to the Seigneur de Champagny, and to my secretary Cosimo,” answered his Highness.

So the merchant negotiator proceeded at once to the mansion of Champagny, in company with the secretary Cosimo.  There was a long conference, in which De Loo was informed of many things which he thoroughly believed, and faithfully transmitted to the court of Elizabeth.  Alexander had done his best, they said, to delay the arrival of his fresh troops.  He had withdrawn from the field, on various pretexts, hoping, day after day, that the English commissioners would arrive, and that a firm and perpetual peace would succeed to the miseries of war.  But as time wore away, and there came no commissioners, the Duke had come to the painful conclusion that he had been trifled with.  His forces would now be sent into Holland to find something to eat; and this would ensure the total destruction of all that territory.  He had also written to command all the officers of the coming troops to hasten their march, in order that he might avoid incurring still deeper censure.  He was much ashamed, in truth, to have been wheedled into passing the whole fine season in idleness.  He had been sacrificing himself for her sacred Majesty, and to, serve her best interests; and now he found himself the object of her mirth.  Those who ought to be well informed had assured him that the Queen was only waiting to see how the King of Navarre was getting on with the auxiliary force just, going to him from Germany, that she had no intention whatever to make peace, and that, before long, he might expect all these German mercenaries upon his shoulders in the Netherlands.  Nevertheless he was prepared to receive them with 40,000 good infantry, a splendid cavalry force, and plenty of money.’

All this and more did the credulous Andrew greedily devour; and he lost no time in communicating the important intelligence to her Majesty and the Lord-Treasurer.  He implored her, he said, upon his bare knees, prostrate on the ground, and from the most profound and veritable centre of his heart and with all his soul and all his strength, to believe in the truth of the matters thus confided to him.  He would pledge his immortal soul, which was of more value to him—­as he correctly observed—­than even the crown of Spain, that the King, the Duke, and his counsellors, were most sincerely desirous of peace, and actuated by the most loving and benevolent motives.  Alexander Farnese was “the antidote to the Duke of Alva,” kindly sent by heaven, ’ut contraria contrariis curenter,’ and if the entire security of the sacred Queen were not now obtained, together with a perfect reintegration of love between her Majesty and the King of Spain, and with the assured tranquillity and perpetual prosperity of the Netherlands, it would be the fault of England; not of Spain.