“Without the instructions you gave me,” wrote Aerssens, “Neuburg might have gained his cause in this court.  Brandenburg is doing himself much injury by not soliciting the King.”

“Much deference will be paid to your judgment,” added the envoy, “if you see fit to send it to his Majesty.”

Meantime, although the agent of Neuburg was busily dinning in Henry’s ears the claims of the Palatine, and even urging old promises which, as he pretended, had been made, thanks to Barneveld, he took little by his importunity, notwithstanding that in the opinion both of Barneveld and Villeroy his claim ‘stricti-juris’ was the best.  But it was policy and religious interests, not the strict letter of the law, that were likely to prevail.  Henry, while loudly asserting that he would oppose any usurpation on the part of the Emperor or any one else against the Condominium, privately renewed to the States assurances of his intention to support ultimately the claims of Brandenburg, and notified them to hold the two regiments of French infantry, which by convention they still kept at his expense in their service, to be ready at a moment’s warning for the great enterprise which he was already planning.  “You would do well perhaps,” wrote Aerssens to Barneveld, “to set forth the various interests in regard to this succession, and of the different relations of the claimants towards our commonwealth; but in such sort nevertheless and so dexterously that the King may be able to understand your desires, and on the other hand may see the respect you bear him in appearing to defer to his choice.”

Neuburg, having always neglected the States and made advances to Archduke Albert, and being openly preferred over Brandenburg by the Austrians, who had however no intention of eventually tolerating either, could make but small headway at court, notwithstanding Henry’s indignation that Brandenburg had not yet made the slightest demand upon him for assistance.

The Elector had keenly solicited the aid of the states, who were bound to him by ancient contract on this subject, but had manifested wonderful indifference or suspicion in regard to France.  “These nonchalant Germans,” said Henry on more than one occasion, “do nothing but sleep or drink.”

It was supposed that the memory of Metz might haunt the imagination of the Elector.  That priceless citadel, fraudulently extorted by Henry ii. as a forfeit for assistance to the Elector of Saxony three quarters of a century before, gave solemn warning to Brandenburg of what might be exacted by a greater Henry, should success be due to his protection.  It was also thought that he had too many dangers about him at home, the Poles especially, much stirred up by emissaries from Rome, making many troublesome demonstrations against the Duchy of Prussia.

It was nearly midsummer before a certain Baron Donals arrived as emissary of the Elector.  He brought with him, many documents in support of the Brandenburg claims, and was charged with excuses for the dilatoriness of his master.  Much stress was laid of course on the renunciation made by Neuburg at the tithe of his marriage, and Henry was urged to grant his protection to the Elector in his good rights.  But thus far there were few signs of any vigorous resolution for active measures in an affair which could scarcely fail to lead to war.