The date of this letter was 20th February, 1592.

The secret instructions to the man who was thus to obey all the duke’s orders were explicit enough upon that point, although they were wrapped in the usual closely-twisted phraseology which distinguished Philip’s style when his purpose was most direct.

Cerralbo was entrusted with general directions as to the French matter, and as to peace negotiations with “the Islands;” but the main purport of his mission was to remove Alexander Farnese.  This was to be done by fair means, if possible; if not, he was to be deposed and sent home by force.

This was to be the reward of all the toil and danger through which he had grown grey and broken in the king’s service.

“When you get to the Netherlands” (for the instructions were older than the letter to Alexander just cited), “you are,” said the king, “to treat of the other two matters until the exact time arrives for the third, taking good care not to, cut the thread of good progress in the affairs of France if by chance they are going on well there.

“When the time arrives to treat of commission number three,” continued his Majesty, “you will take occasion of the arrival of the courier of 20th February, and will give with much secrecy the letter of that date to the duke; showing him at the same time the first of the two which you will have received.”

If the duke showed the letter addressed to him by his uncle—­which the reader has already seen—­then the marquis was to discuss with him the details of the journey, and comment upon the benefits and increased reputation which would be the result of his return to Spain.

“But if the duke should not show you the letter,” proceeded Philip, “and you suspect that he means to conceal and equivocate about the particulars of it, you can show him your letter number two, in which it is stated that you have received a copy of the letter to the duke.  This will make the step easier.”

Should the duke declare himself ready to proceed to Spain on the ground indicated—­that the king had need of his services—­the marquis was then to hasten his departure as earnestly as possible.  Every pains were to be taken to overcome any objections that might be made by the duke on the score of ill health, while the great credit which attached to this summons to consult with the king in such arduous affairs was to be duly enlarged upon.  Should Count Mansfeld meantime die of old age, and should Farnese insist the more vehemently, on that account, upon leaving his son the Prince Ranuccio in his post as governor, the marquis was authorised to accept the proposition for the moment—­although secretly instructed that such an appointment was really quite out of the question—­if by so doing the father could be torn from the place immediately.

But if all would not do, and if it should become certain that the duke would definitively refuse to take his departure, it would then become necessary to tell him clearly, but secretly, that no excuse would be accepted, but that go he must; and that if he did not depart voluntarily within a fixed time, he would be publicly deprived of office and conducted to Spain by force.