Elizabeth had been pacified at last, however, by the eloquence of the Ambassador.  “I will assist you even if you were up to the neck in water,” she said.  “Jusque la,” she added, pointing to her chin.

Five years later Barneveld, for the fifth time at the head of a great embassy, was sent to England to congratulate James on his accession.  It was then and there that he took measure of the monarch with whom he was destined to have many dealings, and who was to exert so baleful an influence on his career.  At last came the time when it was felt that peace between Spain and her revolted provinces might be made.  The conservation of their ancient laws, privileges, and charters, the independence of the States, and included therein the freedom to establish the Reformed religion, had been secured by forty years of fighting.

The honour of Spain was saved by a conjunction.  She agreed to treat with her old dependencies “as” with states over which she had no pretensions.  Through virtue of an “as,” a truce after two years’ negotiation, perpetually traversed and secretly countermined by the military party under the influence of Maurice, was carried by the determination of Barneveld.  The great objects of the war had been secured.  The country was weary of nearly half a century of bloodshed.  It was time to remember that there could be such a condition as Peace.

The treaty was signed, ratifications exchanged, and the usual presents of considerable sums of money to the negotiators made.  Barneveld earnestly protested against carrying out the custom on this occasion, and urged that those presents should be given for the public use.  He was overruled by those who were more desirous of receiving their reward than he was, and he accordingly, in common with the other diplomatists, accepted the gifts.

The various details of these negotiations have been related by the author in other volumes, to which the present one is intended as a sequel.  It has been thought necessary merely to recall very briefly a few salient passages in the career of the Advocate up to the period when the present history really opens.

Their bearing upon subsequent events will easily be observed.  The truce was the work of Barneveld.  It was detested by Maurice and by Maurice’s partisans.

“I fear that our enemies and evil reports are the cause of many of our difficulties,” said the Advocate to the States’ envoy in Paris, in 1606.  “You are to pay no heed to private advices.  Believe and make others believe that more than one half the inhabitants of the cities and in the open country are inclined to peace.  And I believe, in case of continuing adversities, that the other half will not remain constant, principally because the Provinces are robbed of all traffic, prosperity, and navigation, through the actions of France and England.  I have always thought it for the advantage of his Majesty to sustain us in such wise as would make us useful in his service.  As to his remaining permanently at peace with Spain, that would seem quite out of the question.”