The most important and opulent grandee of all the provinces was the Count de Ligne, who had become by marriage or inheritance Prince of Espinay, Seneschal of Hainault, and Viscount of Ghent.  But it was only his enormous estates that gave him consideration, for he was not thought capable of either good or bad intentions.  He had, however, in times past, succeeded in the chief object of his ambition, which was to keep out of trouble, and to preserve his estates from confiscation.  His wife, who governed him, and had thus far guided him safely, hoped to do so to the end.  The cardinal was informed that the Golden Fleece would be all-sufficient to keep him upon the right track.

Of the Egmonts, one had died on the famous field of Ivry, another was an outlaw, and had been accused of participation in plots of assassination against William of Orange; the third was now about the archduke’s court, and was supposed, to be as dull a man—­as Ligne, but likely to be serviceable so long as he could keep his elder brother out of his inheritance.  Thus devoted to Church and King were the sons of the man whose head Philip had taken off on a senseless charge of treason.  The two Counts Van den Berg—­Frederic and Herman—­sons of the sister of William the Silent, were, on the whole, as brave, efficient, and trustworthy servants of the king and cardinal as were to be found in the obedient, provinces.

The new governor had come well provided with funds, being supplied for the first three-quarters of the year with a monthly:  allowance of 1,100,000 florins.  For reasons soon to appear, it was not probable that the States-General would be able very, soon to make a vigorous campaign, and it was thought best for the cardinal to turn his immediate attention to France.

The negotiations for, effecting an alliance offensive and defensive, between the three powers most interested in opposing the projects of Spain for universal empire, were not yet begun, and will be reserved for a subsequent chapter.  Meantime there had been much informal discussion and diplomatic trifling between France and England for the purpose of bringing about a sincere co-operation of the two crowns against the Fifth Monarchy—­as it was much the fashion to denominate Philip’s proposed dominion.

Henry had suggested at different times to Sir Robert Sidney, during his frequent presence in France as special envoy for the queen, the necessity of such a step, but had not always found a hearty sympathy.  But as the king began to cool in his hatred to Spain, after his declaration of war against that power, it seemed desirable to Elizabeth to fan his resentment afresh, and to revert to those propositions which had been so coolly received when made.  Sir Harry Umton, ambassador from her Majesty, was accordingly provided with especial letters on the subject from the queen’s own hand, and presented them early in the year at Coucy (Feb. 13, 1596).  No man in the world knew better the tone to adopt in his