anything in regard to a general rupture, either on account of the retreat of Conde, the affair of Savoy, or anything else, they would reply that the ambassadors in France had been instructed to decline committing the States until after full communication and advice and ripe deliberation with his British Majesty and council, as well as the Assembly of the States-General; and it had been the intention of the late king to have conferred once more and very confidentially with Prince Maurice and Count Lewis William before coming to a decisive resolution.

It was very obvious however to the commissioners that their statement gave no thorough satisfaction, and that grave suspicions remained of something important kept back by them.  Cecil’s manner was constrained and cold, and certainly there were no evidences of profound sorrow at the English court for the death of Henry.

“The King of France,” said the High Treasurer, “meant to make a master-stroke—­a coup de maistre—­but he who would have all may easily lose all.  Such projects as these should not have been formed or taken in hand without previous communication with his Majesty of Great Britain.”

All arguments on the part of the ambassadors to induce the Lord Treasurer or other members of the government to enlarge the succour intended for the Cleve affair were fruitless.  The English troops regularly employed in the States’ service might be made use of with the forces sent by the Republic itself.  More assistance than this it was idle to expect, unless after a satisfactory arrangement with the present regency of France.  The proposition, too, of the States for a close and general alliance was coldly repulsed.  “No resolution can be taken as to that,” said Cecil; “the death of the French king has very much altered such matters.”

At a little later hour on the same day the commissioners, according to previous invitation, dined with the King.

No one sat at the table but his Majesty and themselves, and they all kept their hats on their heads.  The King was hospitable, gracious, discursive, loquacious, very theological.

He expressed regret for the death of the King of France, and said that the pernicious doctrine out of which such vile crimes grew must be uprooted.  He asked many questions in regard to the United Netherlands, enquiring especially as to the late commotions at Utrecht, and the conduct of Prince Maurice on that occasion.  He praised the resolute conduct of the States-General in suppressing those tumults with force, adding, however, that they should have proceeded with greater rigour against the ringleaders of the riot.  He warmly recommended the Union of the Provinces.

He then led the conversation to the religious controversies in the Netherlands, and in reply to his enquiries was informed that the points in dispute related to predestination and its consequences.