At the end of this month I shall cross the Meuse at Mezieres or in that neighbourhood." He added that he should write immediately to Holland, to urge upon his Excellency and the States to be ready to make the junction of their army with his forces without delay.

He charged the ambassadors to assure their High Mightinesses that he was and should remain their truest friend, their dearest neighbour.

He then said a few gracious and cordial words to each of them, warmly embraced each, and bade them all farewell.
The next day was passed by the ambassadors in paying and receiving farewell visits, and on Saturday, the 8th, they departed from Paris, being escorted out of the gate by the Marshal de Boisdaulphin, with a cavalcade of noblemen.

They slept that night at Saint Denis, and then returned to Holland by the way of Calais and Rotterdam, reaching the Hague on the 16th of May.
I make no apology for the minute details thus given of the proceedings of this embassy, and especially of the conversations of Henry.
The very words of those conversations were taken down on the spot by the commissioners who heard them, and were carefully embodied in their report made to the States-General on their return, from which I have transcribed them.
It was a memorable occasion.

The great king--for great he was, despite his numerous vices and follies--stood there upon the threshold of a vast undertaking, at which the world, still half incredulous, stood gazing, half sick with anxiety.