The envoy met with a chilling reception; there were no banquets anymore--no discussions of any kind.

To his demands for money, "he got a fine nihil," said Saint Vaast; and as for polemics, the only conclusive argument for the country would be, as he was informed on the same authority, the "finishing of Orange and of his minister along with him." More than once had the Prior intimated to government--as so many had done before him--that to "despatch Orange, author of all the troubles," was the best preliminary to any political arrangement.

From Philip and his Governor-General, down to the humblest partisan, this conviction had been daily strengthening.

The knife or bullet of an assassin was the one thing needful to put an end to this incarnated rebellion.
Thus matters grew worse and worse in Artois.

The Prior, busier than ever in his schemes, was one day arrested along with other royal emissaries, kept fifteen days "in a stinking cellar, where the scullion washed the dishes," and then sent to Antwerp to be examined by the states-general.
He behaved with great firmness, although he had good reason to tremble for his neck.