was much more likely to apply to the States for assistance than render them aid in any enterprise whatever.  “There is no doubt,” said Aerssens, “that the Queen is entirely in the hands of Spain and the priests.”  Villeroy, whom Henry was wont to call the pedagogue of the council, went about sighing dismally, wishing himself dead, and perpetually ejaculating, “Ho! poor France, how much hast thou still to suffer!” In public he spoke of nothing but of union, and of the necessity of carrying out the designs of the King, instructing the docile Queen to hold the same language.  In private he was quite determined to crush those designs for ever, and calmly advised the Dutch government to make an amicable agreement with the Emperor in regard to the Cleve affair as soon as possible; a treaty which would have been shameful for France and the possessory princes, and dangerous, if not disastrous, for the States-General.  “Nothing but feverish and sick counsels,” he said, “could be expected from France, which had now lost its vigour and could do nothing but groan.”

Not only did the French council distinctly repudiate the idea of doing anything more for the princes than had been stipulated by the treaty of Hall—­that is to say, a contingent of 8000 foot and 2000 horse—­but many of them vehemently maintained that the treaty, being a personal one of the late king, was dead with him?  The duty of France was now in their opinion to withdraw from these mad schemes as soon as possible, to make peace with the House of Austria without delay, and to cement the friendship by the double marriages.

Bouillon, who at that moment hated Sully as much as the most vehement Catholic could do, assured the Dutch envoy that the government was, under specious appearances, attempting to deceive the States; a proposition which it needed not the evidence of that most intriguing duke to make manifest to so astute a politician; particularly as there was none more bent on playing the most deceptive game than Bouillon.  There would be no troops to send, he said, and even if there were, there would be no possibility of agreeing on a chief.  The question of religion would at once arise.  As for himself, the Duke protested that he would not accept the command if offered him.  He would not agree to serve under the Prince of Anhalt, nor would he for any consideration in the world leave the court at that moment.  At the same time Aerssens was well aware that Bouillon, in his quality of first marshal of France, a Protestant and a prince having great possessions on the frontier, and the brother-in-law of Prince Maurice, considered himself entitled to the command of the troops should they really be sent, and was very indignant at the idea of its being offered to any one else.