Thus the whole great negotiation began to dissolve into a shadowy, unsatisfactory pageant.  The solid barriers which were to imprison the vast threatening elements of religious animosity and dynastic hatreds, and to secure a peaceful future for Christendom, melted into films of gossamer, and the great war of demons, no longer to be quelled by the commonplaces of diplomatic exorcism, revealed its close approach.  The prospects of Europe grew blacker than ever.

The ambassadors, thoroughly disheartened and disgusted, all took their departure from Xanten, and the treaty remained rather a by-word than a solution or even a suggestion.

“The accord could not be prevented,” wrote Archduke Albert to Philip, “because it depended alone on the will of the signers.  Nor can the promise to restore Wesel be violated, should Julich be restored.  Who can doubt that such contravention would arouse great jealousies in France, England, the United Provinces, and all the members of the heretic League of Germany?  Who can dispute that those interested ought to procure the execution of the treaty?  Suspicions will not remain suspicions, but they light up the flames of public evil and disturbance.  Either your Majesty wishes to maintain the truce, in which case Wesel must be restored, or to break the truce, a result which is certain if Wesel be retained.  But the reasons which induced your Majesty to lay down your arms remain the same as ever.  Our affairs are not looking better, nor is the requisition of Wesel of so great importance as to justify our involving Flanders in a new and more atrocious war than that which has so lately been suspended.  The restitution is due to the tribunal of public faith.  It is a great advantage when actions done for the sole end of justice are united to that of utility.  Consider the great successes we have had.  How well the affairs of Aachen and Mulbeim have been arranged; those of the Duke of Neuburg how completely re-established.  The Catholic cause, always identical with that of the House of Austria, remains in great superiority to the cause of the heretics.  We should use these advantages well, and to do so we should not immaturely pursue greater ones.  Fortune changes, flies when we most depend on her, and delights in making her chief sport of the highest quality of mortals.”

Thus wrote the Archduke sensibly, honourably from his point of view, and with an intelligent regard to the interests of Spain and the Catholic cause.  After months of delay came conditional consent from Madrid to the conventions, but with express condition that there should be absolute undertaking on the part of the United Provinces never to send or maintain troops in the duchies.  Tedious and futile correspondence followed between Brussels, the Hague, London, Paris.  But the difficulties grew every moment.  It was a Penelope’s web of negotiation, said one of the envoys.  Amid pertinacious and wire-drawn