Walsingham and Leicester were alternately driven to despair by the covetousness of the one party or the other.
It was still uncertain what "personage of quality" was to go to the Netherlands in the Queen's name, to help govern the country.

Leicester had professed his readiness to risk his life, estates, and reputation, in the cause, and the States particularly desired his appointment.

"The name of your Excellency is so very agreeable to this people," said they in a letter to the Earl, "as to give promise of a brief and happy end to this grievous and almost immortal war." The Queen was, or affected to be, still undecided as to the appointment.

While waiting week after week for the ratifications of the treaty from Holland, affairs were looking gloomy at home, and her Majesty was growing very uncertain in her temper.
"I see not her Majesty disposed to use the service of the Earl of Leicester," wrote Walsingham.

"I suppose the lot of government will light on Lord Gray.