In the meantime he was disposed to settle the Netherland difficulty in some showy, off-hand fashion, which should cost him but little trouble, and occasion no detriment to the cause of Papacy or absolutism.

Unfortunately for these rapid arrangements, William of Orange was in Zealand, and the Pacification had just been signed at Ghent.
It was, naturally, with very little satisfaction that the Prince beheld the arrival of Don John.

His sagacious combinations would henceforth be impeded, if not wholly frustrated.

This he foresaw.

He knew that there could be no intention of making any arrangement in which Holland and Zealand could be included.