Arriving at the Hotel Gondy, they were, notwithstanding all their protestations, escorted up the staircase into the apartments by the Duke.
"This honour is notable," said the commissioners in their report to the States, "and never shown to anyone before, so that our ill-wishers are filled with spite." And Peter Pecquius was of the same opinion.

"Everyone is grumbling here," about the reception of the States' ambassadors, "because such honours were never paid to any ambassador whatever, whether from Spain, England, or any other country." And there were many men living and employed in great affairs of State, both in France and in the Republic--the King and Villeroy, Barneveld and Maurice--who could remember how twenty-six years before a solemn embassy from the States had proceeded from the Hague to France to offer the sovereignty of their country to Henry's predecessor, had been kept ignominiously and almost like prisoners four weeks long in Rouen, and had been thrust back into the Netherlands without being admitted even to one audience by the monarch.

Truly time, in the course of less than one generation of mankind, had worked marvellous changes in the fortunes of the Dutch Republic.
President Jeannin came to visit them next day, with friendly proffers of service, and likewise the ambassador of Venice and the charge d'affaires of Great Britain.
On the 22nd the royal carriages came by appointment to the Hotel Gondy, and took them for their first audience to the Louvre.

They were received at the gate by a guard of honour, drums beating and arms presented, and conducted with the greatest ceremony to an apartment in the palace.

Soon afterwards they were ushered into a gallery where the King stood, surrounded by a number of princes and distinguished officers of the crown.