Some badly affected have gone about to put into the King's head, that they never meant to offer the sovereignty, which, though the King be not thoroughly persuaded of, yet so much is won by this means that the King hearkeneth to see the end, and then to believe as he seeth cause, and in the meantime to speak no more of any such matter than if it had never been moved." While his Majesty was thus hearkening in order to see more, according to Sir Edward's somewhat Hibernian mode of expressing himself, and keeping silent that he might see the better, it was more difficult than ever for the envoy to know what course to pursue.

Some persons went so far as to suggest that the whole negotiation was a mere phantasmagoria devised by Queen Elizabeth--her purpose being to breed a quarrel between Henry and Philip for her own benefit; and "then, seeing them together by the ears, as her accustomed manner was, to let them go alone, and sit still to look on." The King did not appear to be much affected by these insinuations against Elizabeth; but the doubt and the delay were very harrassing.

"I would to God," wrote the English envoy, "that if the States mean to do anything here with the King, and if her.

Majesty and the council think it fit, they would delay no time, but go roundly either to an agreement or to a breach with the King.

Otherwise, as the matter now sleepeth, so it will die, for the King must be taken in his humour when he begins to nibble at any bait, for else he will come away, and never bite a full bite while he liveth." There is no doubt that the bait, at which Henry nibbled with much avidity, was the maritime part of the Netherlands.