But Sully could not persuade himself that a great and serious war would be carried on both in the Netherlands and in Italy.
As much as his sovereign he longed for the personal presence of Barneveld, and was constantly urging the States' ambassador to induce his coming to Paris.

"You know," said Aerssens, writing to the French ambassador at the Hague, de Russy, "that it is the Advocate alone that has the universal knowledge of the outside and the inside of our commonwealth." Sully knew his master as well as any man knew him, but it was difficult to fix the chameleon hues of Henry at this momentous epoch.

To the Ambassador expressing doubts as to the King's sincerity the Duke asserted that Henry was now seriously piqued with the Spaniard on account of the Conde business.

Otherwise Anhalt and the possessory princes and the affair of Cleve might have had as little effect in driving him into war as did the interests of the Netherlands in times past.

But the bold demonstration projected would make the "whole Spanish party bleed at the nose; a good result for the public peace." Therefore Sully sent word to Barneveld, although he wished his name concealed, that he ought to come himself, with full powers to do everything, without referring to any superiors or allowing any secrets to be divulged.