The arrangement seemed to him about as reasonable as it would have been to invite Sultan Selim to the Escorial, and to send Philip to reside at Bayonne.

He could not but regard the whole proposition as an insolent declaration of war.

He was right.

It was a declaration of war; as much so as if proclaimed by trump of herald.

How could Don John refuse the wager of battle thus haughtily proffered?
Smooth Schetz, Lord of Grobbendonck, and his episcopal colleague, in vain attempted to calm the Governor's wrath, which now flamed forth, in defiance of all considerations.
They endeavored, without success, to palliate the presence of Orange, and the circumstances of his reception, for it was not probable that their eloquence would bring the Governor to look at the subject with their eyes.