"The conquest of England would have been difficult," he said, "even although the country had been taken by surprise.

Now they are strong and armed; we are comparatively weak.

The danger and the doubt are great; and the English deputies, I think, are really desirous of peace.

Nevertheless I am at your Majesty's disposition--life and all--and probably, before the answer arrives to this letter, the fleet will have arrived, and I shall have undertaken the passage to England." After three weeks had thus adroitly been frittered away, the English commissioners became somewhat impatient, and despatched Doctor Rogers to the Duke at Ghent.

This was extremely obliging upon their part, for if Valentine Dale were a "slow old gentleman," he was keen, caustic, and rapid, as compared to John Rogers.