Thus far the worthless and paltry intriguer still wore the heroic mask, deceiving even such far seeing politicians as Saint Aldegonde and the Prince.
William's first act was to put a stop to the negotiations already on foot with Don John.

He intended that they should lead to war, because peace was impossible, except a peace for which civil and religious liberty would be bartered, for it was idle, in his opinion, to expect the maintenance by the Spanish Governor of the Ghent Pacification, whatever promises might be extorted from his fears.

A deputation, in the name of the states, had already been sent with fresh propositions to Don John, at Namur.

The envoys were Caspar Schetz and the Bishop of Bruges.

They had nearly come to an amicable convention with the Governor, the terms of which had been sent to the states-general for approval, at the very moment of the Prince's arrival in Brussels.