Worldly affairs were his element, and he was shipwrecked upon the charming solitude which he affected to admire.
He was most anxious to return to the world again, but he had difficult cards to play.

His master was even more dubious than usual about everything.

Granvelle was ready to remain in Burgundy as long as Philip chose that he should remain there.

He was also ready to go to "India, Peru, or into the fire," whenever his King should require any such excursion, or to return to the Netherlands, confronting any danger which might lie in his path.

It is probable that he nourished for a long time a hope that the storm would blow over in the provinces, and his resumption of power become possible.