Things had already gone so far, and the Provinces had agreed so entirely together, as to make it inexpedient to bring about a separation in policy.

It was our duty to hold together, and, once for all, thoroughly to understand what the King of France, after such manifold presentations through Monsieur Des Pruneaulx and others, and in various letters of his own, finally intended to do.

At the same time, notwithstanding these negotiations, we had always an especial eye upon her Majesty.

We felt a hopeful confidence that she would never desert us, leaving us without aid or counsel, but would consider that these affairs do not concern the Provinces alone or even especially, but are just as deeply important to her and to all other princes of the religion." After this dialogue, with much more conversation of a similar character, the Secretary and the envoy set themselves frankly and manfully to work.
It was agreed between them that every effort should be made with the leading members of the Council to induce the Queen "in this terrible conjuncture, not to forsake the Provinces, but to extend good counsel and prompt assistance to them in their present embarrassments." There was, however, so much business in Parliament just then, that it was impossible to obtain immediately the desired interviews.
On the 20th, Ortel and De Gryze had another interview with Walsingham at the Palace of Greenwich.

The Secretary expressed the warmest and most sincere affection for the Provinces, and advised that one of the two envoys should set forth at once for home in order to declare to the States, without loss of time, her Majesty's good inclination to assume the protection of the land, together with the maintenance of the reformed religion and the ancient privileges.