The sword being presented to him by the Lord Chamberlain, James touched each of the envoys on the shoulder as he dismissed him.

"Out of respect to My Lords the States," said they in their report, "we felt compelled to allow ourselves to be burthened with this honour." Thus it became obvious to the States-General that there was but little to hope for from Great Britain or France.

France, governed by Concini and by Spain, was sure to do her best to traverse the designs of the Republic, and, while perfunctorily and grudgingly complying with the letter of the Hall treaty, was secretly neutralizing by intrigue the slender military aid which de la Chatre was to bring to Prince Maurice.

The close alliance of France and Protestantism had melted into air.

On the other hand the new Catholic League sprang into full luxuriance out of the grave of Henry, and both Spain and the Pope gave their hearty adhesion to the combinations of Maximilian of Bavaria, now that the mighty designs of the French king were buried with him.