They desire most earnestly to treat, without losing their character." It seemed, nevertheless, impossible for Philip to bend his neck.

The hope of wearing the Imperial crown had alone made his bigotry feasible.

To less potent influences it was adamant; and even now, with an impoverished exchequer, and, after seven years of unsuccessful warfare, his purpose was not less rigid than at first.

"The Hollanders demand liberty of conscience," said Saint Goard, "to which the King will never consent, or I am much mistaken." As for Orange, he was sincerely in favor of peace--but not a dishonorable peace, in which should be renounced all the objects of the war.

He was far from sanguine on the subject, for he read the signs of the times and the character of Philip too accurately to believe much more in the success of the present than in that of the past efforts of Maximilian.