Assure yourselves that we shall never fail to accomplish all that he may promise you in our behalf." Yet, notwithstanding the gravity of the situation, the thorough discussion that had taken place of the whole matter, and the enormous loss which had resulted from the money-saving insanity upon both sides, even then the busy devil of petty economy was not quite exorcised.
Several precious weeks were wasted in renewed chafferings.

The Queen was willing that the permanent force should now be raised to five thousand foot and one thousand horse--the additional sixteen, hundred men being taken from the Antwerp relieving-force--but she insisted that the garrisons for the cautionary towns should be squeezed out of this general contingent.

The States, on the contrary, were determined to screw these garrisons out of her grip, as an additional subsidy.

Each party complained with reason of the other's closeness.

No doubt the states were shrewd bargainers, but it would have been difficult for the sharpest Hollander that ever sent a cargo of herrings to Cadiz, to force open Elizabeth's beautiful hand when she chose to shut it close.