The broad council will soon give their answer, and then we shall send a deputation.

We shall invite Holland and Zeeland to join with us, but there is little hope of their consent." Certainly there was little hope of their consent.

Sainte Aldegonde was now occupied in bringing about the capitulation of Antwerp, without any provision for religious liberty--a concession which Parma had most distinctly refused--and it was not probable that Holland and Zeeland, after twenty years of hard fighting, and with an immediate prospect of assistance from England--could now be induced to resign the great object of the contest without further struggle.
It was not until a month had elapsed that the authorities of Antwerp sent their propositions to the Prince of Parma.

On the 12th August, however, Sainte Aldegonde, accompanied by the same three gentlemen who had been employed on the first mission, and by seventeen others besides, proceeded with safe-conduct to the camp at Beveren.

Here they were received with great urbanity, and hospitably entertained by Alexander, who received their formal draft of articles for a capitulation, and referred it to be reported upon to Richardot, Pamel, and Vanden Burgh.