The King ordered new suits of armour, bought splendid chargers, and gave himself all the airs of a champion rushing to a tournament as gaily as in the earliest days of his king-errantry.

He spoke of his eager desire to break a lance with Spinola, and give a lesson to the young volunteer who had sprung into so splendid a military reputation, while he had been rusting, as he thought, in pacific indolence, and envying the laurels of the comparatively youthful Maurice.
Yet those most likely to be well informed believed that nothing would come of all this fire and fury.
The critics were wrong.

There was really no doubt of Henry's sincerity, but his isolation was terrible.

There was none true to him at home but Sully.

Abroad, the States-General alone were really friendly, so far as positive agreements existed.