Sir John was not aware however, of the minute and scientific observations then making at the very moment when Mr.Garnier was entertaining the commissioners with his witty and instructive conversation--by the unobtrusive menial who had accompanied the Secretary to Ostend.

In order that those observations might be as thorough as possible, rather than with any view to ostensible business, the envoy of Parma now declared that--on account of the unfavourable state of the tide--he had resolved to pass another night at Ostend.

"We could have spared his company," said Cecil, "but their Lordships considered it convenient that he should be used well." So Mr.Comptroller Croft gave the affable Secretary a dinner-invitation for the following day.
Here certainly was a masterly commencement on the part of the Spanish diplomatists.

There was not one stroke of business during the visit of the Secretary.

He had been sent simply to convey a formal greeting, and to take the names of the English commissioners--a matter which could have been done in an hour as well as in a week.