He then made a slight, somewhat shadowy allusion to schemes known to be afloat for conferring the sovereignty upon Maurice.  We have seen that at former periods he had entertained this subject and discussed it privately with those who were not only friendly but devoted to the Stadholder, and that he had arrived at the conclusion that it would not be for the interest of the Prince to encourage the project.  Above all he was sternly opposed to the idea of attempting to compass it by secret intrigue.  Should such an arrangement be publicly discussed and legally completed, it would not meet with his unconditional opposition.

“The Lord God knows,” he said, “whether underneath all these movements does not lie the design of the year 1600, well known to you.  As for me, believe that I am and by God’s grace hope to remain, what I always was, an upright patriot, a defender of the true Christian religion, of the public authority, and of all the power that has been and in future may be legally conferred upon his Excellency.  Believe that all things said, written, or spread to the contrary are falsehoods and calumnies.”

He was still in Utrecht, but about to leave for the Hague, with health somewhat improved and in better spirits in regard to public matters.

“Although I have entered my seventy-first year,” he said, “I trust still to be of some service to the Commonwealth and to my friends . . . .  Don’t consider an arrangement of our affairs desperate.  I hope for better things.”

Soon after his return he was waited upon one Sunday evening, late in October—­being obliged to keep his house on account of continued indisposition—­by a certain solicitor named Nordlingen and informed that the Prince was about to make a sudden visit to Leyden at four o’clock next morning.

Barneveld knew that the burgomasters and regents were holding a great banquet that night, and that many of them would probably have been indulging in potations too deep to leave them fit for serious business.  The agitation of people’s minds at that moment made the visit seem rather a critical one, as there would probably be a mob collected to see the Stadholder, and he was anxious both in the interest of the Prince and the regents and of both religious denominations that no painful incidents should occur if it was in his power to prevent them.

He was aware that his son-in-law, Cornelis van der Myle, had been invited to the banquet, and that he was wont to carry his wine discreetly.  He therefore requested Nordlingen to proceed to Leyden that night and seek an interview with van der Myle without delay.  By thus communicating the intelligence of the expected visit to one who, he felt sure, would do his best to provide for a respectful and suitable reception of the Prince, notwithstanding the exhilarated condition in which the magistrates would probably find themselves, the Advocate hoped to prevent any riot or tumultuous demonstration of any kind.  At least he would act conformably to his duty and keep his conscience clear should disasters ensue.