It was desirable, however, that the negotiation should not too long be deferred, for otherwise Antwerp might perish, before a general accord with Holland and Zeeland could be made.

He begged Sainte Aldegonde to banish all anxiety as to Parma's sentiments towards himself or the community.

"Put yourself, Sir, quite at your ease," said he.

"His Highness is in no respects dissatisfied with you, nor prone to conceive any indignation against this poor people." He assured the burgomaster that he was not suspected of lightness, nor of a wish to delay matters, but he expressed solicitude with regard to the threatening demonstrations which had been made against him in Antwerp.

"For," said he, "popular governments are full of a thousand hazards, and it would be infinitely painful to me, if you should come to harm." Thus it would appear that it was Sainte Aldegonde who was chiefly anxious to effect the reconciliation of Holland and Zeeland with the King.