(S.P.Office MS.)] Cordiality between the governor-general and Count Maurice had become impossible.

As for Willoughby and Sir William Pelham, they were both friendly to him, but Willoughby was a magnificent cavalry officer, who detested politics, and cared little for the Netherlands, except as the best battle-field in Europe, and the old marshal of the camp--the only man that Leicester ever loved--was growing feeble in health, was broken down by debt, and hardly possessed, or wished for, any general influence.
Besides Deventer of Utrecht, then, on whom, the Earl chiefly relied during his, absence, there were none to support him cordially, except two or three members of the state-council.

"Madame de Brederode hath sent unto you a kind of rose," said his intelligencer, "which you have asked for, and beseeches you to command anything she has in her garden, or whatsoever.

M.Meetkerke, M.Brederode, and Mr.Dorius, wish your return with all, their hearts.

For the rest I cannot tell, and will not swear.
But Mr.Barneveld is not your very great friend, whereof I can write no more at this time." This certainly was a small proportion out of a council of eighteen, when all the leading politicians of the country were in avowed hostility to the governor.