Nevertheless, ever since Philip had been upon the Portuguese throne, Catherine had been watching the opportunity, not of unseating that sovereign, but of converting her claim into money.
The Netherland embassy seemed to offer the coveted opportunity.

There was, therefore, quite as much warmth at the outset, on the part of Mendoza, in that first interview after the arrival of the deputies, as had been represented.

There was however less dignity and more cunning on the part of Henry and Catherine than was at all suspected.

Even before that conference the King had been impatiently expecting overtures from the Spanish envoy, and had been disappointed.

"He told me," said Henry, "that he would make proposals so soon as Tassis should be gone, but he has done nothing yet.