“But as I have discovered this accurately, I have resolved to offer to my masters the continuance of my very humble service for such time and under such conditions as they may think good to prescribe.  I prefer forcing my natural and private inclinations to giving an opportunity for the ministers of this kingdom to discredit us, and to my enemies to succeed in injuring me, and by fraud and malice to force me from my post . . .  I am truly sorry, being ready to retire, wishing to have an honourable testimony in recompense of my labours, that one is in such hurry to take advantage of my fall.  I cannot believe that my masters wish to suffer this.  They are too prudent, and cannot be ignorant of the treachery which has been practised on me.  I have maintained their cause.  If they have chosen to throw down the fruits of my industry, the blame should be imputed to those who consider their own ambition more than the interests of the public . . . .  What envoy will ever dare to speak with vigour if he is not sustained by the government at home? . . . . . .  My enemies have misrepresented my actions, and my language as passionate, exaggerated, mischievous, but I have no passion except for the service of my superiors.  They say that I have a dark and distrustful disposition, but I have been alarmed at the alliance now forming here with the King of Spain, through the policy of M. de Villeroy.  I was the first to discover this intrigue, which they thought buried in the bosom of the Triumvirate.  I gave notice of it to My Lords the States as in duty bound.  It all came back to the government in the copies furnished of my secret despatches.  This is the real source of the complaints against me.  The rest of the charges, relating to the Third and other matters, are but pretexts.  To parry the blow, they pretend that all that is said and done with the Spaniard is but feigning.  Who is going to believe that?  Has not the Pope intervened in the affair? . . .  I tell you they are furious here because I have my eyes open.  I see too far into their affairs to suit their purposes.  A new man would suit them better.”

His position was hopelessly compromised.  He remained in Paris, however, month after month, and even year after year, defying his enemies both at the Queen’s court and in Holland, feeding fat the grudge he bore to Barneveld as the supposed author of the intrigue against him, and drawing closer the personal bands which united him to Bouillon and through him to Prince Maurice.

The wrath of the Ambassador flamed forth without disguise against Barneveld and all his adherents when his removal, as will be related on a subsequent page, was at last effected.  And his hatred was likely to be deadly.  A man with a shrewd, vivid face, cleanly cut features and a restless eye; wearing a close-fitting skull cap, which gave him something the lock of a monk, but with the thoroughbred and facile demeanour of one familiar with the world; stealthy, smooth, and cruel, a man coldly intellectual, who feared no one, loved but few, and never forgot or forgave; Francis d’Aerssens, devoured by ambition and burning with revenge, was a dangerous enemy.