On the 1st of May, Ortel had audience of the Queen, to deliver the letters from the States-General.  He found that despatches, very encouraging and agreeable in their tenor, had also just arrived from Davison.  The Queen was in good humour.  She took the letter from Ortel, read it attentively, and paused a good while.  Then she assured him that her good affection towards the Provinces was not in the least changed, and that she thanked the States for the confidence in her that they were manifesting.  “It is unnecessary,” said the Queen, “for me to repeat over and over again sentiments which I have so plainly declared.  You are to assure the States that they shall never be disappointed in the trust that they have reposed in my good intentions.  Let them deal with me sincerely, and without holding open any back-door.  Not that I am seeking the sovereignty of the Provinces, for I wish only to maintain their privileges and ancient liberties, and to defend them in this regard against all the world.  Let them ripely consider, then, with what fidelity I am espousing their cause, and how, without fear of any one, I am arousing most powerful enemies.”

Ortel had afterwards an interview with Leicester, in which the Earl assured him that her Majesty had not in the least changed in her sentiments towards the Provinces.  “For myself,” said he, “I am ready, if her Majesty choose to make use of me, to go over there in person, and to place life, property, and all the assistance I can gain from my friends, upon the issue.  Yea, with so good a heart, that I pray the Lord may be good to me, only so far as I serve faithfully in this cause.”  He added a warning that the deputies to be appointed should come with absolute powers, in order that her Majesty’s bountiful intentions might not be retarded by their own fault.

Ortel then visited Walsingham at his house, Barn-Elms, where he was confined by illness.  Sir Francis assured the envoy that he would use every effort, by letter to her Majesty and by verbal instructions to his son-in-law, Sir Philip Sidney, to further the success of the negotiation, and that he deeply regretted his enforced absence from the court on so important an occasion.

Matters were proceeding most favourably, and the all-important point of sending an auxiliary force of Englishmen to the relief of Antwerp—­before it should be too late, and in advance of the final conclusion of the treaty between the countries-had been nearly conceded.  Just at that moment, however, “as ill-luck would have it,” said Ortel, “came a letter from Gilpin.  I don’t think he meant it in malice, but the effect was most pernicious.  He sent the information that a new attack was to be made by the 10th May upon the Kowenstyn, that it was sure to be successful, and that the siege of Antwerp was as good as raised.  So Lord Burghley informed me, in presence of Lord Leicester, that her Majesty was determined to await the issue of this enterprise.