CHAPTER VI., Part 2.
Sir John Norris sent to Holland--Parsimony of Elizabeth--Energy of Davison--Protracted Negotiations--Friendly Sentiments of Count Maurice--Letters from him and Louisa de Coligny--Davison vexed by the Queen's Caprice--Dissatisfaction of Leicester--His vehement Complaints--The Queen's Avarice--Perplexity of Davison--Manifesto of Elizabeth--Sir Philip Sidney--His Arrival at Flushing.
The envoys were then dismissed, and soon afterwards a portion of the deputation took their departure from the Netherlands with the proposed treaty.

It was however, as we know, quite too late for Saguntum.

Two days after the signing of the treaty, the remaining envoys were at the palace of Nonesuch, in conference with the Earl of Leicester, when a gentleman rushed suddenly into the apartment, exclaiming with great manifestations of anger: "Antwerp has fallen! A treaty has been signed with the Prince of Parma.
Aldegonde is the author of it all.

He is the culprit, who has betrayed us;" with many more expressions of vehement denunciation.
The Queen was disappointed, but stood firm.

She had been slow in taking her resolution, but she was unflinching when her mind was made up.
Instead of retreating from her, position, now that it became doubly dangerous, she advanced several steps nearer towards her allies.